California International City/County Management Association (Cal-ICMA) began its formation in 2001 when the City Managers’ Department President Frank Benest established a committee called the “Strengthening the Profession Working Group.” First proposed as the “California Local Government Management Collaborative” with this name being used interchangeably at times, The Cal ICMA subcommittee was formed to study how to improve local government managers’ networking, professional development and connection with ICMA within California.

The “Cal ICMA subcommittee” members included: Ray Silver, City of Huntington Beach (lead); Rod Wood, City of Novato; John Nowak, Associate member-in-transition; Hilary Straus, City of Citrus Heights; Norm King, San Bernardino Associated Governments; Will Randolph, County Administrative Officers Association of California; Tony Dahlerbruch, City of Beverly Hills; Sam Ricadio, City of Highland; John Thompson, City of Vacaville; Glen Southard, City of Claremont; and Mike Garvey, City of San Carlos

September 2002, City Managers’ Department President Ray Silver appointed a new Cal-ICMA Steering Committee to take the “Association of Associations” Concept proposal and develop by-laws for the association.

The “Association of Associations’ model, provided for an “independent” or “Standalone” network of professional associations.

The Cal-ICMA steering Committee members included: Rod Wood (Steering Committee lead); Ray Silver; Allison Hart; Mark Ochenduszko, City Manager's Department (CMD); Kevin Duggin, City Manager's Department (CMD); Glenn Southard; Bill Garrett, California City Management Foundation (CCMF); Jack Simpson, California City Management Foundation (CCMF); Tony Dahlerbruch; Kevin O'Rourke, International City/County Management Association (ICMA) at-large representatives; Lee Riordan, International City/County Management Association (ICMA) retiree; Norm King, Council of Governments (COG) Directors' Association of California; Mike Johnson, County Administrative Officers' Association; Hilary Straus, Principal Assistant from the City Manager’s Department (CMD); Joni Patillo, Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC); Ann Schultz, Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC); Dave Childs, International City/County Management Association (ICMA) staff

By 2003 Cal-ICMA had approved bylaws by all coordinating organizations participating in the Cal-ICMA Collaborative. At the time of establishment, those “Coordinating Organizations” were:

• League of California Cities City Managers’ Department (Cal Cities)

• California City Management Foundation (CCMF)

• Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC)

• Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC)

• City Manager’s Department (CMD)

• County Administrative Officers Association of California (CACE)

• Council of Governments (COG)

• International City/County Management Association (ICMA)