The challenges facing today's governments require a management approach that cuts across disciplines and departments.

There’s lots of work to be done, and you are needed.

"Local government officials must continually work to provide services and meet the expectations of the community, while ensuring the long-term financial stability of the community, which can be very difficult at times."

Although the national economy has improved of late, local governments are faced with long-term budget challenges.... These challenges are opportunities to break the status quo, think differently, and evaluate new and better ways to serve our communities. Within this landscape, we need ICMA more than ever.

Economic development and job creation are goals for us all. The regional approach helps enforce a message that when one benefits, the entire region can benefit as well.

Landry has done extensive international work, including providing assistance to communities in Louisiana following hurricanes Katrina and Rita; working with communities in South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland in collaboration with Rotary International; and working with the District of Kothom in Cambodia on capacity building.

In this issue of Career Compass, Dr. Benest shows us how opening up can move us forward.

"ICMA is an access point for and a filter of ideas that are important to the profession and beyond. Since none of our communities operate in a vacuum, it’s nice to have a place to gather, whether virtually or in person, to discuss the topic of the day."

After graduating in 2006, Anderson left his internship with the city of Bloomington, Indiana, for a position as an ICMA Local Government Management Fellow with the city of Loveland, Ohio. “It was really a unique opportunity to be able to learn so much in just that one year.”