News

The Ohio City & County Management Association (OCMA) is excited to announce that the nomination process for the Annual Awards is now open! This is your opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of your colleagues in local government who are making a significant impact in their communities.

The OCMA Annual Awards honor individuals and projects that exemplify excellence in local government. There are eight award categories, each designed to highlight different aspects of community improvement and professional achievement:

1. Placemaking: Recognizes innovative ways that communities create unique public spaces.
2. Redevelopment Projects: Celebrates community redevelopment projects that have been substantially completed.
3. Career Achievement Award: Honors an outstanding local government administrator with a minimum of 10 years of senior-level service within Ohio.
4. Career Development / Mentoring Award: Recognizes significant contributions to the development of new talent in professional local government management.
5. Distinguished Early Career Award: Celebrates individuals leading and setting standards for professional management within the first 15 years of their career.
6. Innovation in Local Government Award: Highlights successful applications of cutting-edge organizational tools in public service delivery.
7. Citizen Participation Award: Recognizes strategies designed to inform and include citizens in community decision-making.
8. Intergovernmental Cooperation Award: Honors outstanding programs developed through cooperative actions or strategic partnerships.

Nominations are reviewed by an award review panel, and finalists will be recognized by their peers and awarded a plaque at the Annual Awards during the OCMA Annual Conference. The deadline for nominations is December 15, 2024.

For more information on the nomination process and to submit your nomination, please visit the OCMA Annual Awards page.

Don’t miss this chance to honor the exceptional work being done in local government. Submit your nominations today!

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 ocmaohio@gmail.com

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.

We are excited to announce that the 2025 OCMA Annual Conference will be held on February 26 – 28, 2025 at the Hilton at Easton Town Center. We look forward to connecting with you at this exciting event.

The 2025 Conference Planning Committee is currently working on the schedule of events, and more details will be shared soon. To design a high-quality program that is of value to members, we have opened up a Call for Session Proposals. You are encouraged to submit a proposal for consideration as a conference session: 

The deadline to submit a proposal is October 25, 2024.

Zimomra has taught the capstone class to nearly 100 graduating seniors, mentoring them through the rigorous process of authoring an in-depth, original research paper. She makes herself available to meet with students on their schedule throughout their capstone project and educates them on the techniques and values of networking and career planning while completing their capstone research. In May 2024, she was honored with The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs 2024 Outstanding Teaching Award.

The Ohio City & County Management Association (OCMA) is the leading organization in the State of Ohio promoting excellence and professionalism in local government. Our membership is comprised of professional managers and local government employees who are held to the highest moral and ethical standards. A local government manager’s role is to assess our communities’ challenges, diagnose effective remedies to meet those challenges, and skillfully deploy public resources in the most efficient and effective ways possible. 

Bryan Heck, who has served as the City Manager of Springfield, Ohio, since 2019, is a long-standing member of OCMA and a current member of the OCMA Board. Bryan grew up in the Springfield area and has served in various capacities for the City since 2006. 

OCMA stands by our core values of ethics, integrity, collaboration, and community service. As City Manager, Bryan embodies these principles in his service and leadership to the residents of Springfield. His work, along with the work of many other city employees within the City of Springfield organization, is evidence of the value of professional management in local government, not just in running day-to-day operations, but also in times of crisis.

As an organization, OCMA unequivocally condemns any and all forms of violence, threats, or intimidation of elected officials, public servants, and community members.

by Tiphanie Mays | Aug 01, 2024 |  PM MAGAZINE – ARTICLE

As the assistant chief administrative officer (ACAO) of an organization, you hold the reins of leadership, steering your team toward success. However, a critical element in this journey is the trust you build with your staff. Trust isn’t given; it’s earned. It’s a vital component that fuels collaboration, innovation, and organizational morale. Here are 10 tried and tested ways that have helped me establish trust with my teams throughout my public service career:

1. Be Transparent.

Transparency is the foundation of trust. Your employees need to feel informed about the organization’s direction, successes, challenges, and changes. Regularly share updates through town hall meetings, emails, or newsletters. This open line of communication reduces uncertainty and demonstrates that you value their right to know.

Tip: Implement a monthly all-staff meeting where you discuss your elected officials’ meetings, upcoming projects, and any organizational changes, such as upcoming staff retirements or resignations. Encourage questions and provide honest answers without breaking “executive privilege.”

2. Lead by Example.

We’ve all heard the expression “from the top down.” As ACAOs, our behavior sets the tone with our team. Leading by example means that we are exhibiting the qualities that we expect from our team: integrity, accountability, and dedication. When employees see these traits in you, they are more likely to mirror them, creating a culture of trust and respect.

Tip: Show up on time, meet deadlines, and be present (purposefully). Looking back, the moments when I have publicly stated in front of my team that I made a mistake are the moments that I can pinpoint when the pendulum swung toward them gaining trust in me. Never deny your mistakes and always take ownership of them!

3. Empower Your Team.

Trusting your employees with responsibilities shows that you believe in their capabilities. Delegate meaningful tasks and give them the autonomy to execute these tasks in their own way. This empowerment fosters a sense of ownership and commitment to the organization’s goals.

Tip: Assign projects based on your employees’ strengths and allow them to take the lead. Provide guidance but avoid micromanaging. And never, never take the individual credit for work that was done by your team. Always give the credit to your team, even if it was your brainchild.

Looking for innovative approaches to making neighborhoods and streets calmer, safer, and more welcoming to people of all ages and abilities? Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) has recently published How to Build Safe, Vibrant Streets in Ohio: A Guide for Non-Engineers. The resource guide provides tips for implementing an active transportation project, funding sources communities in Ohio can access, and technical assistance programs at the state and federal levels that can help plan and fund projects.

This guide was written for local government staff, elected officials, local Active Transportation advocates, and community members. Five different case studies are profiled from across Ohio, highlighting how active transportation projects can encourage redevelopment and downtown revitalization.

Download the guide today by clicking here.