About CCMF

In the 1990s, the Foundation began an outreach program for City Managers who had left their city employment and were seeking a new position with another city. This formalized “Managers In Transition” (MIT) program included an extensive information packet with counseling and legal service referrals as well as the provision of general advice on appropriate lines of action. The MIT program and the Model Employment Contract met a critical need for the profession that had previously been ignored.

In 1996, to create a stable funding source, CCMF decided to become a membership-based organization. The modest dues paid by members and the income generated by the organization’s new Golf Tournament fundraiser allowed CCMF to further expand its efforts. In 2000, CCMF launched its first website to more easily facilitate the dissemination of information to its members. Shortly thereafter, Bill Garrett was hired as Executive Director. Since then, CCMF has begun hosting the New & Future City Manager Seminar to help train and support new generations of City Managers. Additionally, the Wes McClure Scholarship was established in 2011 to give funds annually to promising young leaders.

In 2013, CCMF hosted its first career development webinar for members. In 2014, the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees launched the Professional Resumé Review service as an exclusive resource for the CCMF community. In 2015, the Foundation continued to build connections with sister organizations and published “Women In Leadership: the #13Percent Movement” based on findings from the ICMA Task Force on Women in the Profession.

By 2016, CCMF delivered eight new exclusive resources to members, including two guides on improving organizational efficacy for managers and a resource on working with recruiters. The organization also teamed up with Saddleback College and Muniservices to provide a municipal financial management certification program. In 2017, CCMF partnered with MMASC and MMANC to offer two $1,500 scholarships to the 2017 ICMA Annual Conference. CCMF also provided new resources: balancing online professional and personal lives as a manager, sample evaluation forms and tips for a successful City Manager-PIO relationship.

In 2018, then-CCMF President Wade Kinney authored an article on the importance of diversity for Western City Magazine and the organization published a member resource about the various pathways to city management careers. That fall, CCMF leadership and members joined forces to support cities impacted by the Woolsey Fire and hosted a panel on “Benefits of Diversity in Municipal Management.”

In 2019, CCMF published a guide for managing the shift to district council elections and Wade McKinney passed the CCMF President reins to then-Vice President Ken Striplin. CCMF also organized a luncheon for local government officials and moderated discussions at several League events, including the City Managers’ Department Meeting, the Mayor & Council Member Executive Forum and the Annual Conference.

In 2020, CCMF launched a redesigned website and the Judy L. Kelsey Memorial Fund program which offers $5,000 grants to fund summer internships. The organization also expanded the Wes McClure Scholarship awards. Once again, CCMF hosted and moderated panel discussions at the League City Managers’ Department Meeting in February.

In 2021, CCMF moderated a panel at the 2021 Cal Cities City Managers’ Department Meeting and hosted the New & Future City Managers Seminar in Pasadena. In 2022, the Foundation honored retired City Manager Frank Tripepi.

In 2023, CCMF partnered with the Rose Institute at Claremont Mckenna College to develop a report on the profession. Additionally, in 2023, CCMF unveiled a new logo. The website now features a pin-drop map enhancing member connectivity. By 2024, the Annual Member Appreciation Dinner in Hollywood addressed the rising challenges city managers face personally and professionally.

In 2025, CCMF partnered with the Rose Institute at Claremont McKenna College to produce the 2025 California City Manager Survey: A Profile in the Profession. Building on the 2023 survey, this updated report provides a current snapshot of the city management profession. Additionally, CCMF collaborated with Beverly Foo-Colon, LCSW, a seasoned psychotherapist, to launch a free mental health service available to all members. The organization also completed a comprehensive redesign of its website to better serve its membership.

In 2026, CCMF hosted the Annual Member Appreciation Dinner in Napa, with nearly 290 members and sponsors in attendance. We look forward to what is to come the rest of the year and are particularly excited for the Mid-Late Career Workshop in April in Laguna Beach. Finally, CCMF continues to highlight members’ achievements through the Profiles in Management and Retired & Inspired series.