President’s Message - Elevating the Practice: Carrying the Lessons of ICMA 2025 Into California
Dr. Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM
Cal-ICMA President
This year’s ICMA Annual Conference in Tampa was extraordinary. I begin by expressing sincere gratitude to the ICMA team for producing such a thoughtful and energizing learning experience, from our keynote speakers who shared wisdom that challenged and inspired us, to the City of Tampa for opening its doors to more than 5,000 attendees from around the world. Conferences of this scale do not happen by chance. They happen because people care deeply about our profession and are willing to invest their time and talents into elevating it. A special congratulations goes to Julia Novak, CEO/Executive Director of ICMA, who was honored during the conference for her election to the National Academy of Public Administration. Her leadership and vision continue to elevate the profession. I look forward to working with her and others on the Grand Challenges facing public administrators and our ICMA community.
Each year, the ICMA Annual Conference challenges us to think bigger, lead braver, and return home renewed in purpose. The message this year was clear: local government is the antidote to national division.
Arthur C. Brooks opened the conference by naming a truth many of us feel every day. “America doesn’t have an anger problem, it has a contempt problem.” He reminded us that although we cannot choose our residents, we can choose how we show up for them. According to Brooks, “Love is not a feeling, it is a choice.” He encouraged us to disagree better, resist the outrage machines that profit off division, and publicly commit to refusing to treat anyone with contempt. His challenge to us was profound: when we leave the conference and return to our communities, we are “entering mission territory.” Our mission is to bring compassion into divided spaces and to lead with love, even when it feels difficult.
Following that, Amy Cuddy invited us to look inward. Her message centered on presence, confidence, and the power of feeling safe in order to create. She said, “When we feel safe, we expand, we connect, we listen, we can create.” Through intentional breathing, slowing down our pace, and standing with openness, we can project calm and confidence. When we are grounded, others can rise with us. Her keynote honored the resilience of local government professionals and reminded us that leadership is not just action; it is intention.
One of the most powerful conversations came from Valerie Lemmie, John Nalbandian, Bob O’Neill, and Jan Perkins during My Mount Rushmore of Local Government, facilitated by Julia Novak. They reflected on where our profession began, where it stands today, and where it needs to go. They spoke about how integrity builds trust, how courage carries us through conflict, and how connection keeps us rooted in service. Their collective message was that the values that built this profession remain the values that will lead it forward. Incoming ICMA President Mike Land summarized this responsibility by saying, “It is our responsibility as leaders to find a solution that fits the needs of the community. Our call today is as urgent as it was in 1914.” His words remind us that our role is not to maintain systems but to lead them into their next chapter.
Finally, Peter Kageyama brought energy and joy to the closing session by asking a deceptively simple question: “Where’s the fun?” He reminded us that cities are not defined only by infrastructure. They are defined by feeling. Joy creates belonging. Small, intentional acts of placemaking — public art, dog parks, fairy doors, or unexpected moments of whimsy — invite people to love where they live. Emotional infrastructure is as important as physical infrastructure because people thrive where they feel connected.
Taken together, these keynotes and discussions challenge us in California to elevate our practice. We can lead with courage when community dialogue becomes difficult. We can practice presence when our teams need stability and reassurance. We can nurture joy and connection when our residents need a reason to believe in local government again. And we can do all of this while lifting up the next generation of leaders, so they inherit a profession full of possibilities.
On Monday evening, we hosted the California Reception, and it was one of the most memorable moments of the conference. The turnout was unprecedented with nearly 400 attendees making it a record-breaking reception, members of our Board, our committees, affiliate organizations, our valued corporate partners, and guests all showed up in full force. There was a palpable sense of pride and connection. The energy was electric, and the setting was angelic as we overlooked the water and enjoyed each other’s company. It reminded me once again that California is not only leading the profession in innovation, governance, and courage, but also in community and collegiality. We are stronger because we invest in each other.
Before we left Tampa, Cal-ICMA had the honor of recognizing colleagues whose work, service, and leadership exemplify the very best of our profession.
Annual Conference Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to our scholarship recipients — emerging leaders who are investing in their professional growth and the future of our field:
Robert Fierro, City of Montebello
M. Andres Coronel, City of Indio
Femi Omotesho, PhD, City of Elk Grove
Lindsay McElwain, City of Pomona
These individuals represent the next generation of talent in local government, and we are proud to support their journey.
ICMA Distinguished Service Award Recipients
We extend our admiration and appreciation to:
Kenneth Hampian
John Shirey
Each has made extraordinary contributions to the profession and to communities across California and the country. Their careers exemplify what it means to lead with integrity and purpose.
2025 ICMA Local Government Excellence Award Winner
Congratulations to the City of San Fernando — winner of the Community Partnership Award for their Business & Community Resource Center.
This recognition celebrates innovative partnership, community impact, and a model of service that strengthens trust and builds opportunities.
Service Award Recipients
We also celebrated dozens of members achieving milestone service anniversaries. Their dedication and commitment to public service are the foundation of our profession.
40-Year Service Award
Joseph Calabrigo, Danville, CA
35-Year Service Award
Thomas Bakaly, Beach Cities Health District
William (Bill) Gallardo, Retired
John Moreno, City of Paramount
Scott Stiles, ICMA-CM, City of Palm Springs
30-Year Service Award
Troy Brown, Retired
Rod Butler, City of Jurupa Valley
Kristen Crane, ICMA-CM, City of Murrieta
Matthew Hawkesworth, City of Pasadena
Lawrence Hileman, City of South Pasadena
Tamara Letourneau, ICMA-CM, City of Laguna Niguel
Rene Mendez, City of Salinas
Graham Mitchell, ICMA-CM, City of El Cajon
Walker Rattay, Retired
Hilary Straus, Citrus Heights Water District
Tai Williams, Town of Danville
25-Year Service Award
Anne Ambrose, City of Cathedral City
Justin Ezell, City of Concord
Roubik Golanian, City of Glendale
Imelda Huerta, City of Vista
Jill Ingram, Retired
John Jansons, City of Kerman
Christa Johnson, Town of Ross
Alison Lehman, County of Nevada
Steve McClary, City of Malibu
Lisa Murphy, City of Salinas
Mark Orme, ICMA-CM, City of Eastvale
Dr. Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM, Town of Los Altos Hills
Mark Prestwich, City of Hemet
Audrey Ramberg, City of Mountain View
Darlene Sanchez, City of Ontario
Laura Snideman, City of Calistoga
20-Year Service Award
Howard Chan, City of Sacramento
Brett Channing, City of Corona
Savita Chaudhary, City of Vacaville
Grissel Chavez, City of Paramount
Wendy Kaserman, City of Poway
Tim Kiser, City of Grass Valley
Robert Lopez, City of Cerritos
Conal McNamara, City of Whittier
Thomas Modica, City of Long Beach
Andrew Murray, City of Vallejo
Jay Parrish, City of Ferndale
Meredith Reynolds, City of Long Beach
Karin Schnaider, ICMA-CM, City of Tracy
Alex Terrazas, HdL Companies
Hazel Wetherford, City of Dublin
Nicole Zieba, ICMA-CM, City of Reedley
10-Year Service Award
Chris Boatman, City of Redlands
Rochelle Clayton
Jordan Davis, City of Pittsburg
Patrick Gallegos, City of Seal Beach
Derek Johnson, County of Marin
David Kelley, Town of Ross
Kathryn Nomura, Town of Los Gatos
Micah Runner, ICMA-CM, City of Rancho Cordova
John Stefanski, City of San Rafael
Christina Turner, City of Morgan Hill
Tanya Williams, City of Rialto
To every award recipient: thank you for your dedication to public service and for elevating the profession through your leadership. California continues to lead because of people like you.
This year’s conference was personally meaningful for me. I chaired a productive Cal-ICMA Board Meeting, presented three sessions on partners in governance, artificial intelligence and the disappearing workforce. It was also where I announced my retirement after 27 years in local government as I begin my encore career focused on teaching and leadership development. I am filled with gratitude for a profession that challenged me, shaped me, and allowed me to serve.
I look forward to welcoming you to the City Managers Department Conference in Napa this February. At that conference, as in previous years, Cal-ICMA will hold its annual retreat on Tuesday and together we will recap our 2025 achievements, chart our goals for 2026, and transition our executive leadership board. Let’s carry the momentum and inspiration from Tampa into Napa. The work continues, the mission remains, and the future of our profession is bright.
With appreciation and optimism,
Dr. Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM
President, Cal-ICMA