California

Fellow: Aretha Harvey
Education: MPA, American University, 2008

Aretha's work in Fremont:
Aretha serves as a member of several city-wide committees and task forces as a representative from the City Manager's Office, including the Special Events Committee, Green Task Force, Community Notification Committee, and the Administrative Services Team.  One major project that Aretha has worked on has been taking the lead on a task force whose focus is the use of emerging technologies to improve internal functions and services to the public.

Why this fellowship?
I chose the ICMA fellowship because of its successful history in connecting enthusiastic individuals wanting to serve the community with progressive local governments.  ICMA and the host governments are preparing the next generation for what promises to be an eventful future for cities and counties across the country.  My aspiration to become a city manager is being fostered through this unique opportunity, and I am excited to be a part of a program that is dedicated to developing better professionals for local governments.

Fellow: Lila Youn
Education: MUP, University of Southern California, 2007

Lila's work in Palo Alto:
Palo Alto's program consists of three 4-month rotations through different city departments, during which Lila works on special projects.  Some projects Lila has been involved in include Midyear Budget Adjustments and development of a SharePoint collaborative website to use as a platform for discussion amongst community volunteers. 

What do you like about being a fellow in Palo Alto?
Although it's a relatively small city with a population of 60,000, Palo Alto is a full-service city that owns all its own utilities and provides services beyond any locality I've experienced before.  The City of Palo Alto is highly functional and fiscally prudent, with amazing talent within its ranks.  I also enjoy the rotations - it's like being a consultant with short-term projects, so it's difficult to be bored with my work here.

Florida

Fellow: Jon Radermacher
Education: MPA, University of South Dakota, 2008

Jon's work in Sarasota:
Working for Sarasota County has afforded Jon a great opportunity to work in many areas of local government.  So far, he has worked on a variety of different projects within the County, from a federal grant to buy foreclosed homes and turn them into permanently affordable housing, an analysis of the foreclosure cases within the judicial system, and assisting in the grant application process for the Bus Rapid Transit system, to name a few.

Why this fellowship?
I believe it is very important for local government administrators to be knowledgeable in all aspects of their operations, understanding of the roles of elected officials, and aware of the needs of the public community.  I wanted to become an ICMA fellow because it offers opportunities to develop my skills and experiences in those areas, and to do so at a high level within a dynamic and innovative organization.

Georgia

Tom's work in Cartersville:
Tom's primary responsibility in Cartersville is overseeing the performance management process.  He has been heavily involved in developing a performance management strategy which seeks to integrate performance measurement into the budget, public reporting, and management decisions in general.  Tom's work has exposed him to key performance indicators of services such as police, fire, and parks and recreation.  In addition, Tom has worked directly with department heads to process the implications of the performance data.

Why this fellowship?
I chose to become an ICMA fellow because I have a strong desire to become a city manager in the future.  I feel that the fellowship provides me with an opportunity to build a solid foundation from which to launch a career in local government management.  With benefits such as a network of other fellows, a formal mentor in senior management, and the prestige associated with being an ICMA fellow, this opportunity would have been difficult to pass up!

City of Decatur

Fellow: Lena Stevens
Education: MPA, Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs,

Fellow: Greg Clay
Education: MPA, University of Kansas, 2008

Greg's work in East Point:
As an ICMA fellow and Special Assistant to the City Manager, Greg is responsible for assisting the City Manager in the overall administration of city operations.  Greg not only looks into special projects and operational improvements for the manager, he also works with the manager when analyzing certain issues/improvements and researching alternatives to current operations.  So far Greg has gained experience in public information operations, budgeting, special event coordination, external relations, and much more.

Why this fellowship?
I enjoy being a part of the LGMF program because I get an opportunity to network with individuals who are doing the same things that you are every day.  The fellowship connects me with a group of peers that really serve as another level of support as we all attempt to gain more experience as public administrators.  Being able to use other fellows as a resource also provides another perspective on alternatives that I may not have considered.

City of Savannah

Fellow: Rachel Smithson
Education: MPA, University of North Texas, 2008

Fellow: Monica Jones
Education: Master's in Public Management, Local Government Management, Indiana University, 2008

Monica's work in Smyrna: My Fellowship in Smyrna has provided me with a wide range of experiences. After a two day Parks and Recreation ride-along I drafted and put out to bid a Landscape Services RFP that resulted in a large cost savings to the City. I also regularly worked with the Police Department in their efforts to apply to the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program. Collaborating with the Community Development department, I helped develop a strategic annexation plan for the City. I have also researched and analyzed various other projects through the administrative department, include urban agriculture which will result in a Farmer’s Market this spring.

Why this Fellowship?
As I approached graduation and was looking for jobs, the Fellowship program appealed me to because it seemed to provide the greatest degree of different projects. With limited work experience in local government, I wasn’t sure what areas I would like best. The fellowship has allowed me the opportunity to work with many of the departments within the City on various projects; an entry level position in a city department wouldn’t have given me the same range of experiences. The fellowship has also allowed me access to senior level staff, enabling me to learn from some of the best people in the public sector. This experience has confirmed for me the appeal of working in local government and reinforced my desire to one day be a city manager.

Iowa/Wisconsin

City of Dubuque, Iowa and Town of Lancaster, Wisconsin

Fellow: Cori Burbach (renewal)
Education: MPA, University of Delaware, 2007

Cori’s work in Dubuque:
Working primarily with the City Manager’s Office, I have had the opportunity to work with many departments as well as other government and non-profit organizations on a variety of projects.  I have worked on grant and award applications and promotion, am working with departments to facilitate a more effective code enforcement program, am providing staff support for Dubuque’s Sustainability Initiative in a variety of ways, and am working with City Manger’s office staff to prepare the annual budget, research alternative revenue sources, and host various state and federal government representatives.  I am also a member of the Intercultural Competency Steering Committee and have been devoting a significant amount of time to assisting surrounding communities in disaster relief efforts following this summer’s tornadoes and floods.

Cori's work in Lancaster:
As part of a much smaller staff and community, I have been involved in a variety of projects that allowed me to utilize my skills and further develop my local government management abilities.  I have revised City personnel policies, prepared the annual budget and financial management policies, prepared Council and Staff Orientation manuals, update police and fire department policies and provided these departments with staffing evaluations, and provide a variety of research and administrative support.

What do you like best about working in two communities?Working for two cities simultaneously has been an amazing experience.  Working in a larger city, I have been exposed to a wide variety of projects and policy areas.  Working in a small city, I have had the opportunity to get deeply involved in several projects.  I have been fortunate to be exposed to two completely different organizations, City Councils, and management styles.  This has helped me to build my technical knowledge base and develop my own management philosophies. 

Minnesota

Fellow: Matthew Mendenhall (renewal)
Education: MPA, Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, 2007

Matt’s work in Dakota County:
The second year of my fellowship has included the responsibility of a Management Analyst.  I split my time between the Office of Transit, the Office of Planning and Analysis, and County Administration.  Simultaneously working on these separate departments provides a tremendous experience in understanding the variety of responsibilities held by local government.  My work includes creating official rules and procedures for the Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, staffing and facilitating the creation of an energy policy, analyzing client transportation/mileage reimbursment, and evaluating salary earnings of government positions within the seven-county Twin Cities Metro Area.

Why the ICMA Fellowship?
Orville Powell, a Clinical Associate Professor at Indiana University and former longtime city manager expressed the fellowship program as  great chance to further my education and develop my skills while earning valuable experience.  Graduate school provided the building blocks for the real-world education I now receive, and the experienced senior management staff that I directly work with provides insight and mentorship into my professional development.  Each day brings challenges that push me to increase my knowledge and strengthen my abilities, while reassuring that local government is the profession I should be in.

North Carolina

Fellow: Creighton Avila (renewal)
Education: MPA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2007

Fellow: Janet Payne (renewal)
Education: MPA, University of South Carolina/Clemson University, 2006

Fellow: Juliann Gorse
Education: MPA, Cornell University, 2008

Juliann's work in Wake County:
Through the Department of Human Services I have been involved in the Human Capital Development steering committee, the evaluation of a poverty reduction strategy, and the compilation of trends data section for their business plan.  In the Department of Community Services, I am currently working on a comparison of public library systems, assisting in the facilitation of the nonprofit funding process, and assisting in the implementation of the strategic plan.  I am also involved in a process improvement committee for the Planning Department.  I have learned a great deal about county management and I am looking forward to future projects in the remainder of my fellowship. 

Why this fellowship?
The ICMA fellowship allows recent graduates to gain professional experience in a variety of local government areas.  Fellows are able to explore their interests while also contributing to the host governments' ongoing projects.  It is hard for me to imagine an opportunity other than the ICMA fellowship to learn so much about local government in one year.

Fellow: Justin Amos
Education: MPA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2008

Justin's work in Charlotte:
Justin has worked on the City Council-directed Environmental Committee, where he is responsible for carrying out research projects on cutting edge issues that have not previously been studied by a local government.  Examples include green roofs, green building and LEED oriented building standards, or studying how city buildings impact the community's carbon footprint.  He is also charged with attending Council Business meetings to write down questions or tasks given to staff by the Council in the course of the meeting.  Justin leads the question and follow-up meeting the next morning and ensures all issues or questions raised are answered in a timely manner.

Why this fellowship?
The ICMA fellowship has been a great program because it has allowed me to interact with young, newly graduated MPA professionals from around the country.  ICMA has been a great resource in helping me transition from the academic to the professional world.

Pennsylvania

Fellow: SheaBrianna Christilaw (renewal)
Education:  MPM/MURA, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, 2006

Shea's work in Nether Providence:

Why this fellowship?

Virginia

Cole's work in Arlington:
Cole's fellowship consists of rotations through four different departments: the County Manager's office, Management and Finance, Community Planning, Housing, and Development, and the Office of Emergency Management.  While in the County Manager's office he has completed many projects including taxi ordinance research and analysis, constituent services software research, and historical research on the Metrorail system for a documentary.  Cole also helped formulate an environmental administrative regulation and participated on an Administrative Regulations Workgroup team.

Why this fellowship?
While obtaining my MPA, I looked for the best opportunity for post graduates interested in a career in local government.  Through research and advice from my peers, I soon found that ICMA's LGMF program was the perfect fit for me to obtain my career goals.  Not only do ICMA fellows get meaningful experience and a competitive salary, but they also enjoy the benefit of learning from the best managers in the most proactive local governments.

Washington

Fellow: Scott Pingel (renewal)
Education: MPA, West Virginia University, 2007

Scott’s work in Federal Way:
In Federal Way, Scott manages and coordinates special projects such as a feasibility study and pre-construction activities for a new performing aarts center.  He also oversees the City Manager's Office budget and is working to revamp Federal Way's performance measurement system.  Scott has also had the opportunity to be a part of Federal Way's Management Team, which has given him comprehensive knowledge of city operations and allowed him to take part in most major management decisions.

Why do you like being a fellow for the City of Federal Way?
In pursuing employment, I wanted to be able to gaina broad experience that would prepare me for city management by learning from a great mentor.  This fellowship allows me to work on a broad set of projects, I work very closely with the City Manager and Assistant City Manager, and I have the opportunity to lead several different efforts the City has taken on.