News

The Ohio City/County Management Association (OCMA) is excited to announce that we are looking to fill three vacant positions on our committees. This is a fantastic opportunity for members to get involved, contribute to the profession, and help shape the future of local government management in Ohio.

Open Positions and Committee Descriptions:

1. Support of the Profession Committee
   • Co-Chair: Vacant
   • Description: This committee develops initiatives to retain and promote the use of professional local government managers. It provides technical assistance to communities, educates the public on the benefits of professional management, and oversees ethics training and ICMA Credentialing.
2. Professional Development Committee
   • Co-Chairs: Two Vacancies
   • Description: This committee identifies professional development needs, assists in designing conferences and events, and promotes training opportunities. It supports professional growth at all career stages and organizes networking opportunities and the OCMA Annual Conference.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2024

If you are interested in applying for any of these positions, please visit our committee page here for more information and to submit your application. We look forward to your participation and contributions to the OCMA community.

The Ohio City/County Management Association (OCMA) is thrilled to announce that Peter Kageyama will be the keynote speaker for the 2025 OCMA Annual Conference. The conference, which will be held from February 26 to 28, 2025, at the Hilton at Easton Town Center, promises to be an exciting event for local government professionals across Ohio.

Peter Kageyama is an urbanist and bestselling author of four nonfiction books on cities and placemaking. His first book, For the Love of Cities, was recognized as a Top 10 Book in Urban Planning and Development. He speaks all over the world about better placemaking that emphasizes small, inexpensive, and fun approaches to city building. He was a Senior Advisor to the Alliance for Innovation, a national network of city leaders, and is an Ambassador for America in Bloom. 

In 2023, St. Petersburg Press published his first novel, Hunters Point. The work of historic fiction draws upon the wartime experiences of his father and his Japanese family. The sequel, Midnight Climax, was published in early 2024. 

Born in Akron, Ohio, Peter studied at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He later attended law school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In his spare time Peter is an avid board gamer, comic book geek and classic rock nerd. He lives in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife, award winning architect Lisa Wannemacher and their dog Dobby.

Peter’s keynote address will focus on the theme of “For the Love of Cities”: How to fall in love with your community, the economic benefits to emotional engagement and how to engage your citizens as development resources. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of placemaking as it impacts talent attraction and retention and economic development strategies.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 OCMA Annual Conference and to the inspiring insights that Peter Kageyama will bring to our community.

On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, members of the OCMA Student Development Committee (Michele Boni, Jessica Greene, and special guest Judi Boyko) had the privilege of presenting to students at all stages of their college careers at Miami University. This event was not only engaging but crucial, as it provided a platform for students to ask insightful questions about career pathways and working with elected officials.

We are deeply grateful to Miami University for allowing us to advocate for the local government profession and, most importantly, for empowering students to explore and pursue meaningful careers in this vital field. Connecting students with future careers in local government is essential for fostering the next generation of leaders who will shape our communities. 

To learn more about the OCMA Student Development Committee, please email [email protected]

Local government managers serve their communities in many ways, often juggling responsibilities that range from budgeting to community relations and beyond. In this demanding role, a senior advisor can be an invaluable asset, providing expertise and perspective that can make a tangible difference. OCMA is proud to offer this benefit to its members and now has 4 senior advisors that serve our member communities across the state of Ohio.

Here are five compelling reasons to utilize your senior advisor:

1. Sharing and Expertise and Experience: Senior advisors are available to share a wealth of experience and knowledge and coach managers through difficult situations. They’ve typically seen a variety of challenges and can offer insights to help guide decision-making processes, offering solutions that are tried and tested.
2. Strategic Planning and Vision:  Your senior advisor can be a valuable resource for long-term strategic planning. Their experience allows them to see the bigger picture and understand the nuances of policy development and implementation. They can help you establish a strategic vision that aligns with your community needs and expectations.
3. Crisis Management: During times of crisis, whether it be a natural disaster or a sudden political upheaval, having a seasoned advisor can be crucial. Their experience with previous crises can provide a steady hand and clear-headed coaching for navigating through difficult times.
4. Mentoring and Development:  Senior advisors can play a significant role in mentoring and developing future leaders within your organization. They can impart valuable lessons and skills to emerging leaders, ensuring that the next generation of local government leaders is well-prepared for their roles. This mentorship can lead to a more competent and confident team, ultimately benefiting the entire community.
5. Networking and Resources:  With years of experience often comes an extensive professional network. Your senior advisor likely has connections that can be leveraged for the benefit of your community. Whether it’s reaching out to other local government professionals for advice, accessing exclusive training opportunities, or finding funding sources, the connections that a senior advisor brings can open doors that might otherwise remain closed.

Utilizing your senior advisor is not just about tapping into their knowledge; it’s about fostering a collaborative environment where their experience and insights can help build a more effective and resilient local government.