Edward A. Barrett retired in 2020 from his position as city administrator in Lewiston, Maine after a 45-year career in service to local government. In addition to his service in Lewiston (2010 – 2020), he was city manager in Bangor, Maine (1988 – 2009), assistant city manager and director of administrative services, Wichita Falls, Texas (1981 – 1988). Earlier positions included budget research supervisor (1979-1981), management analyst (1978-1979), research analyst III (1977-1978), and research analyst II (1976-1977) in Tucson, Arizona.

Clayton W. Chandler retired in 2020 from his position as city manager in Mansfield, Texas, after a 45-year career in service to local government. In addition to his service in Mansfield (1984 – 2020), he was village manager in Waterville, Ohio (1979 – 1984), assistant city manager, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (1978 – 1979), management associate, South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments (1977 – 1978), assistant finance director, Greenville, South Carolina (1976 – 1977), and tax collector in Greenville (1975 – 1976).

"Mistakes are not asimportant as what was learned. First and foremost, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.Take care of your employees - they are your greatest asset! Have fun and make a difference!"

Sterling B. Cheatham, ICMA-CMis city manager in Wilmington, North Carolina. Previously, he served Norfolk, Virginia, as assistant city manager (1995 – 2002) and director of finance (1991 – 1995}. He was director of financial management in Aiken, South Carolina (1987 – 1991), director of finance and administration in College Park, Maryland (1981 – 1987), assistant to the city manager (1979 – 1981) and budget officer (1977 – 1979) in Greenville, South Carolina, and a budget analyst in Arlington County, Virginia (1975-1977).

"Make a habit of attempting to learn something every day, particularly from mistakes. One such lesson was recognizing I cannot “do it all”. This is a team game."

Bernard Cooper has devoted his 45-year career to the town of Norwood, Massachusetts, where he serves as assistant general manager, a position he has held since 1979. Previously, he was administrative assistant to the general manager (1973 – 1978), and federal funds administrator (1972 – 1973).

Thomas F. DeGiulio has been town manager in Dyer, Indiana, since 2016. Previously he served as town manager in Munster, Indiana (1984 – 2014) and two communities in Illinois: Early in his career, he served in Normal as an administrative aide to the town manager (1973 – 1975) and an administrative assistant (1975 – 1977) and later became assistant town manager (1981 – 1984). From 1977 – 1981 he was city administrator in El Paso, Illinois.

"I have learned over the years that you if you can’t control it just minimize the impact. I have been blessed to only be ‘transitioned’ once by a Council. I knew it was coming and did my best to control the outcome."

Jay A. Gsell, ICMA-CM,is county manager in Genesee County, New York, a position he has held since 1993. In his 45-year career, he has also served as city administrator in Marshalltown, Iowa (1990 – 1993) and Cumberland, Maryland (1987 – 1990), town manager in Winchester, Connecticut (1982 – 1987), assistant to the city manager in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (1979 – 1982), administrative assistant in Norton Shores, Michigan (1977 – 1979), and administrative analyst in Trenton, New Jersey (1975 – 1977). Early in his career, he held intern positions with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in Washington, D.C. (1974) and Richmond, Virginia (1973).

"Maintain an open-door policy to all employees, elected officials and citizens and don’t do or say anything you wouldn’t say or repeat to your Mother."

Garry G. Hunt chief executive officer in the city of Joondalup, Australia, has served five Australian cities in his 45-year career. Prior to a stint in the private sector (2002 – 2005) he was chief executive officer in Perth (1994 – 2002), where he had earlier served as deputy town clerk (1984 – 1986). In Melville, he served as deputy town clerk (1982 – 1984) and as city manager/town clerk (1986 – 1994). In Kalgoorlie, he held positions as treasurer (1977 – 1979) and assistant town clerk (1979 – 1981), and in Stirling, he was a trainee officer (1971-1977) and an information officer (1977).

"Don’t take the first answer to your question as providing all of the relevant information you need to investigate a complaint. It’s hard to admit a mistake, whoever makes it."

Joyce Hunt has served Thornton, Colorado, as assistant city manager since 1988, deputy city manager (1986 – 1988), assistant city manager (1985 – 1986), and finance director (1981 – 1985). Earlier in her 45-year career she was assistant finance director in Longmont, Colorado (1977 – 1981) and chief accountant in Missoula, Montana (1974 – 1976). When asked to reflect on hermost memorable meeting Joyce recalled:

"Meeting with drones/unmanned aircraft advocates regarding proposed limitations of flying within the city…they all brought their drones to the meeting and offered to fly them."

Richard J. Johnson, town manager in Glastonbury, Connecticut, has served that town since 1980. Previously, he was assistant town manager (1985 – 1993) and director of parks and recreation (1980 – 1985). Earlier in his career he was director of parks and recreation in Avon, Connecticut (1976 – 1980).

"Take the time to understand all points of view, don’t assume what others are thinking or the worst outcome and don’t worry about matters outside of your control!"

Harvey Krauss became city manager in Eloy, Arizona, after serving as community development director (2013) and interim city manager (2013 – 2014). In Goodyear, Arizona, he was assistant city manager (1990 – 1995) and development process administrator (1995 – 2013) after working in Gillette, Wyoming, as planning director (1980 – 1984) and assistant city administrator (1984 – 1990). His previous positions were city planner in Espanola, New Mexico (1978 – 1980), assistant planner in Los Alamos County, New Mexico (1977 – 1978), and senior planner in Abilene, Texas (1975 – 1977).

"As I progressed in my local government career, there were times when I did not maintain a healthy balance between my work and family life.My work and life experiences through the years have greatly influenced how I currently manage and prioritize work assignments for employees – always weighing the importance of family life for employees with the demands and expectations of elected officials and the community.ThePublic Management magazine published by ICMAinJuly 2019 focused on “Work-Life Balance” issues, and the concepts in this publication are an important read if struggling with finding a healthy work-life balance."

Douglas Albert Lewis, ICMA-CM, has been city manager in Pinellas Park, Florida, since 2014. He assumed that position after service to the city as assistant city manager (2013 – 2014), interim assistant city manager (2013), and fire chief (2004 – 2013). Before that, he was fire services director in Polk County , Florida (2002 – 2004) and held four positions in St. Petersburg: fire division chief (1995 – 2002), fire captain (1993 – 1995), fire lieutenant (1989 – 1993), and firefighter (1975 – 1989).

"One of my biggest mistakes I made when I became City Manager was not communicating effectively withmyMayor and Council members. I had a couple of agenda items denied by my city council due to the fact that I hadn't either workshopped the item with them or I had not discussed it one on onewith them prior to the publicmeeting. Ithought theywere slam dunk items. Lesson learned and it has never happened since!"

Scott C. McElree, borough manager in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, also served that community as chief of police (2004 - 2007). Before that, he was a police officer in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania (1975 – 2004).

Gary O'Connell, ICMA-CM, executive director of the Albemarle County Service Authority, Charlottesville, Virginia, since 2010, served the city of Charlottesville as city manager (1995 – 2010), deputy city manager (1985 – 1995), and assistant city manager (1981 – 1985). Before that, he worked in Maryville, Tennessee, as assistant city manager (1979 – 1981) and assistant to the city manager (1975 – 1979), in Knoxville, Tennessee, as a municipal consultant/intern (1974) and in Kingsport, Tennessee, as an administrative intern (1973).

"Listen patiently first, not jump in with your opinion. Don’t burn bridges."!

Robert J. Regus, city administrator in Alpharetta, Georgia, has served communities in the state for his entire 45-year career. Before going to Alpharetta, he served Fulton County as county manager (1995 – 1998), interim county manager (1995), deputy county manager/chief of staff (1991 – 1995), acting county manager (1991), deputy county manager (1990), executive assistant county manager (1988 – 1990), administrative assistant (1986 – 1988), chief budget analyst (1983 – 1986), budget analyst (1977 – 1983), and tax cashier (1975 – 1977).

"The strength of ICMA is its diversity of people from all different backgrounds and disciplines. Each person’s story is different and unique."

Randall H. Reid has served ICMA as Southeast Regional Director since 2014. Before that, he was county administrator in Sarasota County, Florida (2012 – 2013) and county manager in Alachua County (1999 – 2012). Earlier positions included assistant county administrator (1994 – 1997) and deputy county administrator (1997 – 1999) in Martin County, Florida; city manager in Titusville, Florida (1987 – 1994); city administrator in Green River, Wyoming (1981 – 1987); and four positions in Vandalia, Ohio: assistant city manager (1980 – 1981), administrative assistant (1976 – 1979), administrative intern (1975), and seasonal public works intern (1973 – 1974).

"For most my career I kept a copy of Covey’s “Seven Habits “with my personal mission statement written in it “to create respect for people and place”.

Steven M. Salomon has been city manager in Orinda, California, since 2017. Previous positions include city manager, Visalia, California (1996 – 2013), city manager, Watsonville, California (1990 – 1996), city administrator, Albany, California (1987 – 1990), city manager, Hercules, California (1983 – 1987), housing and community development program director, Concord, California (1975 – 1983), deputy director, coastal commission, state of California (1974 – 1975), and community development representative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Columbus, Ohio (1971 – 1974).

James E. Tolbert, ICMA-CM, retired in 2020 as assistant city manager in Sandy Springs, Georgia, a position he had held since 2015. Earlier positions were director of neighborhood development services, Charlottesville, Virginia (1999 – 2015), director, Albany Dougherty Regional Planning Commission, Georgia (1992 – 1999), administrator, Lafayette, Alabama (1990 – 1992), planning director, Opelika, Alabama (1985 – 1990), senior planner, Lower Chattahoochee Area Planning and Development Commission, Georgia (1983 – 1985), planning director, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (1980 – 1983), and planner in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (1978 – 1980), in the Tennessee State Planning Office (1976 – 1978), and in Jacksonville, Florida (1976).71).