2025 Celebration of Service: 45-Year Service Award Recipients

Earlene M. Teaster

Earlene M. Teaster spent her entire career serving as city manager in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee from 1980 to 2025. She was the first woman appointed to the city manager role in the state of Tennessee.

Carl L. Smart

Carl L. Smart, deputy county manager, Alachua County, Florida, previously served as code department director in Austin, Texas (2011-2016). Prior to his role in Austin, he served in several positions in Fort Worth, Texas including executive program administrator (2009-2011), executive assistant to the city manager (2008-2009), acting assistant city manager (2008), code compliance director (2001-2008), and director of the bureau of neighborhood conservation (1996-2001). Before working in Fort Worth, he served as code enforcement manager (1986-1996) and housing inspector/code enforcement officer (1980-1986) in Gainesville, Florida.

Steven Sarkozy

Steven Sarkozy, village manager, Estero, Florida, has served in this role for the past ten years. He previously served as city manager in Carlsbad, California (2014), Bellevue, Washington (2000-2013), Roseville, Minnesota (1989-2000), and Geneva, New York (1984-1989). He served as assistant city manager in Wyoming, Michigan (1979-1984) and Beverley Hills, Michigan (1978-1979). He also served as administrative analyst in Syracuse, New York (1978).

J. Scott Miller

J. Scott Miller, city manager, East Ridge, Tennessee, previously held city manager roles in Leavenworth, Kansas (2007-2015), New Port Richey, Florida (2004-2007), College Park, Georgia (2002-2004 and 1994-2001), Des Plaines, Illinois (2001-2002), Boynton Beach, Florida (1990-1994), Oakland Park, Florida (1985-1989), Wilton Manners, Florida (1982-1985), and East Detroit, Michigan (1979-1982).

Anthony P. Mercantante

Anthony P. Mercantante, township administrator, Middletown, New Jersey, previously served as planning director, Middletown Township, New Jersey (1989-2008), senior planner in Signal Hill, California (1984-1989), and assistant planner in Middletown Township, New Jersey (1980-1984).

Blair F. King

Blair F. King, city manager, Coronado, California previous served as city manager in Lodi, California (2005-2010), assistant city manager in Milpitas, California (2001-2005), city manager in Half Moon Bay, California (1997-2001), city manager in Imperial Beach, California (1994-1996), city manager in Soledad, California (1991-1994), and assistant city manager in Coalinga, California (1988-1991). Prior to these roles, he was assistant public works director (1985-1988) and redevelopment specialist (1983-1985) in Eureka, California and area development officer (1980-1983) for Inter-Tribal County in California.

Henry J. Hill, III

Henry J. Hill, III, deputy city manager, Frisco, Texas previously worked in Melbourne, Florida serving as city manager (1994-2003), acting city manager (1994), and assistant city manager (1988-1994). Prior to these positions, he was town administrator in Adams, Massachusetts (1983-1988), director of administrative services (1983) and budget coordinator (1981-1983) in Collier County, Florida, and management analyst in Alachua County, Florida.

Sam S. Gaston

Sam S. Gaston, city manager, Mountain Brook, Alabama previously served as the city manager of Powder Springs, Georgia (1992-1993), the assistant city manager/planning director of Anniston, Alabama (1987-1992), assistant to the city administrator/planning director in Gulf Shores, Alabama (1984-1987), city planner in Decatur, Alabama (1981-1984), and city clerk in Russellville, Alabama (1980).

Dan Fox

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Thomas Fountaine, II

Thomas Fountaine, II, ICMA-CM, borough manager, State College, Pennsylvania previously served as borough manager in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania (1985-2003) and administrative assistant in Bedford, Indiana (1980-1985).

Ronald M. Ferris

Ronald M. Ferris, MPA, city manager, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida previously worked for Lantana, Florida as the town manager (1990-2000) and the operations director (1987-1990). Prior to this service, he was the parks and recreation director of North Lauderdale, Florida (1983-1987) and Lee County, North Carolina (1980-1983).

Gregory L. Dunham

Gregory L. Dunham, town manager, Gulf Stream, Florida served as town manager in Kenly, North Carolina (2011-2017), Manalapan, Florida (2002-2010), and Ocean Ridge, Florida (1998-2002). He held the position of assistant city manager in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (1994-1998) and Addison, Texas (1983-1991). He served as city administrator (1983) and assistant city manager (1982-1983) in Bowie, Texas after four years as a police officer (1978-1982) in Denton, Texas.

Barry Cook

Barry Cook, city administrator, Cody, Wyoming also served as city administrator for Green River, Wyoming (1994-2012) and Post Falls, Idaho (1991-1993). He held positions of town administrator/clerk/treasurer (1986-1991) and administrative assistant (1985-1986) in Wheatland, Wyoming as well as the position of executive director/circuit rider administrator in Fremont Cog, Wyoming (1980-1985). He also served as administrative intern in Sausalito, California (1979-1980) and administrative aid in San Francisco, CA (1979).

Roger D. Campbell

Michael J. Bobinsky

Michael J. Bobinsky, director of public works/utilities, Somersworth, New Hampshire, also served as the director of public works for Portland, Maine (2003-2015), and deputy city manager in Draper, Utah (1999-2002). He was also community services director for Dover, New Hampshire (1994-1999) and public works director in Concord, New Hampshire (1989-1994). He began his career in Greely, Colorado where he served as personnel specialist (1980-1981), administrative assistant to Public Works (1981-1984), and general services manager (1984-1989).