CCMF is proud to announce that Sacramento City Manager John Shirey, and Pico Rivera City Manager Ronald Bates have both been selected to receive the 2014 National Public Service Award for their outstanding and lasting contributions to public service.
John Shirey has dedicated most of his 40 years in public service to local government. As City Manager for Sacramento since 2011, Shirey has focused on stabilizing the city’s finances, expanding its economic opportunities, and improving public safety. He has emphasized increased use of technology and encouraged innovation among City employees. Prior to his appointment, Shirey was executive director of the California Redevelopment Association for nine years. He also served as City Manager for the City of Cincinnati, Assistant City Manager for the City of Long Beach, and the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for Los Angeles County.
Shirey shared his thoughts on being a City Manager in CCMF’s recent Meet Your City Manager video series. “If the citizens are happy,” said Shirey, “then we know we’re doing our job well.” The full interview can be viewed here.
Appointed as Pico Rivera City Manager in February 2011, Ronald Bates has spent most of his career in Souther California. He began his public service as Administrative Assistant for the City of Los Angeles before being promoted to administrative analyst is 1972. He worked for the Count of Orange in 1973 as budget director and became assistant director of general services in 1975. His first city manager position was with Buena Park, where he served until 1984 when he was appointed Anaheim Assistant City Manager.
The National Public Service Award is given to only a select few recipients each year. Honorees exhibit the highest standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment. Past recipients include Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and Donna Shalala, the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Clinton administration.
The American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration will present the City Managers with this prestigious honor at their annual conference in Washington DC on March 17.
From all of us here at CCMF, we’d like to congratulate Mr. Shirey and Mr. Bates on this well-deserved recognition.