CHARLOTTE, N.C. — James A. “Jim” Bennett, Presque Isle city manager, was installed recently as president of ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Bennett will serve as ICMA president for a one-year term commencing on Sept. 17, 2014, at the ICMA 100th annual conference in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, N.C. He will remain on the board as past president for one year following his presidency.
ICMA’s mission is to create excellence in local governance by promoting professional management worldwide and increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world. The organization’s nearly 9,500 members in 26 countries also include educators, students and other local government employees. In 2014, ICMA celebrates the 100th anniversary of the association and of the professionalization of local government management.
As president, Bennett will lead the organization’s 21-member executive board, which is composed of the president, president-elect and past president, plus 15 vice presidents from five ICMA regions throughout the United States and three vice presidents elected from countries outside the U.S. He will work closely with the board and ICMA’s executive director to establish the organization’s direction, oversee its management, represent it to state and national associations of local government management, and maintain relationships among affiliate organizations. The ICMA Executive Board also enforces ICMA’s Code of Ethics, which governs the professional and personal conduct of the ICMA membership.
ICMA Executive Board members attend four meetings annually. Bennett’s expenses for attending these meetings will not be requested for reimbursement from Presque Isle.
“Jim brings to ICMA strong leadership skills and a commitment to demonstrating the value of professional management,” said ICMA Executive Director Robert J. O’Neill, Jr. “I know I speak for the entire ICMA Executive Board when I say that we look forward to working with him as president in the coming year.”
“Each day, our members serving in local government management positions bring professionalism and passion to their work,” said Bennett. “I’m tremendously proud to be leading an association whose members work tirelessly to build better communities and who go the extra mile to show how much they care about ‘their’ wonderful municipalities. Citizens love to be proud of where they live and their hometowns. Our members understand that we are trusted with that special bond and cherish the rewards of making communities truly great places.”
Bennett brings to the ICMA Executive Board more than three decades of local government management experience. He launched his public service career in Maine in 1982 at age 21 with his election as selectman in his hometown of Lisbon, and subsequent reelection three years later. In 1986, he accepted the position of town manager of Dixfield, and went on to serve as town manager of New Gloucester (1988-90) and Old Orchard Beach (1990-96), until he became city administrator of Westbrook in 1996, a position he held for six years. He later served as city administrator of Lewiston (2002-09), the second-largest city in Maine, and as interim town manager of Sabattus (2009-10). He accepted his current position as city manager of Presque Isle in 2010.
He has been an active member of ICMA since 1986.
Bennett is married to the former Debra Hagan of Brunswick. They have two children: Mitchell, who is attending the University of Maine in Orono, and Amanda, who is attending Bowdoin College.
