Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA)

Announcement: ACMA 2026 Andrews Internship Host Needed: The Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) is looking for a host city, town, or county to host an ACMA Andrews Internship during the summer of 2026. If your city, town, or county would be interested, please in hosting an ACMA Andrews Intern, please use the link below for more information. https://lnkd.in/gHwzkPMb

Reminder: Applications for the 2026 ACMA Management Academy are due Friday, October 24: Don't miss out on this chance to apply for the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) 2026 Management Academy Cohort. This statewide, 10-month leadership program provides intensive training in local government management designed to prepare the next generation of City, Town, and County leaders. Participants will meet in-person once a month (every third Friday from January to December) for a series of sessions focused on leadership, strategic management, and professional growth within the public sector. Eligibility Requirements: Professionals currently working in local government who have served in a management role at the Director, Assistant to the City/Town/County Manager, or Deputy City/Town/County Manager level for two (2) years or more. Application deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025 Submit applications to: acma@azleague.org For more information, visit the ACMA website at the link below: https://lnkd.in/ghnEdyjb

Congratulations to our 2025 Next Generation Leadership Award Winner: Anna Casadei! 👏 The Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) Next Generation Leadership Award was created to recognize an individual who is dedicated to cultivating talent, mentoring, and helping guide NextGen public service leaders to become our future community leaders at the municipal or county level in Arizona. This award is conveyed at the Next Generation Leadership Conference each year and also recognized at the Winter Conference. Please join us in congratulating our 2025 recipient Anna Casadei for her dedication in mentoring the next generation of public service leaders. Anna Casadei serves as the Community Development Director for the Town of Sahuarita, where she has become a driving force in cultivating the next generation of public service leaders. A passionate mentor and advocate for professional development, Anna actively creates pathways for emerging leaders by providing staff with hands-on leadership opportunities—from participating in budget and strategic planning discussions to presenting before the Town Council and key advisory committees. She is known for demystifying complex municipal concepts, encouraging innovation through approaches like priority-based budgeting, and connecting daily work to the broader mission of public service. Anna’s commitment to internal career growth is reflected in her intentional efforts to promote from within, align team members’ strengths with advancement opportunities, and foster a workplace culture centered on learning, collaboration, and empowerment. Her dedication to mentorship and talent development is helping shape the future of local government leadership in Arizona, making her a truly deserving recipient of the 2025 Next Generation Leadership Award.

ACMA Spotlight: Next Generation Leadership Conference Planning Committee: The Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) Next Generation Leadership Conference took place this past Thursday and was a great success. We are proud to recognize the outstanding work of the NextGen Planning Committee, whose hard work and planning ensured a seamless experience and impactful sessions for all conference participants. We would also like to thank all the speakers that helped make the conference a success. Thank you to Jeff Walther, Kelly Pfost, DawnMarie Buckland, Kari Kent, Wynette Reed, Bryant Powell, Gilbert Davidson, William Brooks, MPA, and Kira Peters for sharing your insight and experience to help prepare the next generation of public service leaders.

2025 Cities and Towns Week Spotlight: Administrative Team Day! Monday marked the beginning of Arizona's annual Cities and Towns Week! Cities and Towns week celebrates the vital role that local governments play in our daily lives and recognizes the outstanding local government professionals that are dedicated to making our cities and towns a great place to live and work. Yesterday, we celebrated the exceptional public service and leadership of the administrative teams that keep our cities and towns running. Strong cities start with strong leadership, and we’re recognizing the city managers, town clerks, attorneys, finance and budget staff, and administrative teams whose leadership keeps our communities running smoothly every day. Please join us in thanking our city and town administrative teams for their outstanding dedication to public service. Thank you for all you do! 👏 Visit the League of Arizona Cities and Towns LinkedIn and website for more information about #AZCityWeek. #localgov #PublicService https://lnkd.in/gaDDFyrm

Applications Now Open: 2026 ACMA Management Academy The Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) Management Academy is now accepting applications for the 2026 cohort! This statewide, 10-month leadership program provides intensive training in local government management designed to prepare the next generation of City, Town, and County leaders. Participants will meet in-person once a month (every third Friday from January to December) for a series of sessions focused on leadership, strategic management, and professional growth within the public sector. Eligibility Requirements: Professionals currently working in local government who have served in a management role at the Director, Assistant to the City/Town/County Manager, or Deputy City/Town/County Manager level for two (2) years or more. Application deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025 Submit applications to: acma@azleague.org For more information, visit the ACMA website at the link below: https://lnkd.in/ghnEdyjb

Reminder to register for AZ WLG 2025 Conference! Registration is still open for the Arizona Women Leading Government (AZ WLG) Waves of Wisdom: Empowering Women Leaders Conference. The AZ WLG 2025 Conference will take place November 6-7 at the Phoenix Convention Center, South Building. For more information on sessions, conference fees, and registration information, please visit the following website: https://lnkd.in/gGgScBCe Arizona Women Leading Government (AZ WLG) is a non-profit membership association that provides professional development, networking, and mentoring opportunities statewide to strengthen the position of women by preparing aspiring, emerging professionals for leadership posts in government; and to increase the number of women in executive government positions throughout the State of Arizona. Registration for the 2025 conference closes on Friday, October 31, don't miss out on this great opportunity to connect and grow with women leaders in government from across Arizona!

Now accepting nominations for the 2026 Rachel Hut Bremen Associate’s Award for Excellence in Leadership: The ACMA board of Directors invites you to nominate a deserving associate ACMA member for the Rachel Hut Bremen Associate’s Award, recognizing exemplary performance and contribution to the local government profession by emerging local government professionals. Candidates for the Hut Bremen award must be an associate member in good standing with ACMA and have been in a full-time position in their organization for at least one year. Any ACMA member may nominate an associate member for the award, with the endorsement of a full and active ACMA member. If you know a deserving ACMA associate member you would like to recognize, please submit their nomination by email to acma@azleague.org. Please use the link below to access the application form. https://lnkd.in/gFMeZCCD

Share your Ideas for the ACMA Winter Conference: The Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) Conference Planning Committee is asking for your input for ACMA's annual Winter Conference. If you have suggestions for the Winter Conference regarding speakers, program content, sessions, or social events, please submit them by email to the Conference Planning Committee at acma@azleague.org. Suggestions are due by Friday, October 17th.

Now accepting nominations for the 2026 Catherine F. Connolly Professional Excellence Award: The ACMA board of Directors invites you to nominate a deserving assistant level local government manager for the Catherine F. Connolly Professional Excellence Award, recognizing exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to public service. The Connolly Award honors ACMA members that go above and beyond in supporting their organizations and advancing the profession of local government management. To be eligible for the Connolly award, a nominee must currently hold a senior administrative position assisting a City, Town, or County's Chief Administrative Officer, be an active ACMA member, and have at least five years of experience at the assistant level. If you know a deserving assistant level local government manager you would like to recognize, please submit their nomination by email to acma@azleague.org. Please use the link below to access the application form. https://lnkd.in/dmPajEQQ