President’s Message March 2025: Advancing Ethical Leadership in Local Government
Dr. Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM, President, Cal-ICMA
Dr. Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM, President, Cal-ICMA
It is an honor to serve as President of Cal-ICMA, an organization dedicated to advancing ethical and professional local government leadership in California. During our recent retreat in Rancho Mirage, on February 4th, the Cal-ICMA Board came together to develop our 2025-2027 Board Work Plan, outlining our strategic priorities and reinforcing our commitment to supporting local government professionals. This plan represents our continued effort to "level up" as a board and to maximize the value we provide to our members and the broader local government community.
What is Cal-ICMA?
Cal-ICMA is the unifying hub for local government professionals across California, connecting city, county, and special district executives with the resources, training, and peer networks they need to succeed. As an inclusive, collaborative organization, we serve as a central point of connection for local government leaders, working closely with 10 affiliate organizations and professional partners to support the field of public administration.
Our mission is clear:
“To connect California professionals for the advancement of ethical and inclusive local government management.”
At its core, Cal-ICMA provides leadership development, ethical guidance, and peer networking opportunities for city managers, county executives, special district executives and rising leaders. Our work spans mentorship, professional education, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and advocacy for ethical governance. We uphold the ICMA Code of Ethics as a guiding principle and strive to foster collaborative, transparent, and forward-thinking governance at all levels.
Through our partnerships, we help local government leaders stay ahead of industry trends, navigate challenges, and enhance their ability to serve communities effectively. Whether it’s preparing the next generation of executive leaders or supporting mid-career professionals, Cal-ICMA is at the forefront of professional development and municipal innovation in California.
Cal-ICMA: The Hub for Local Government Collaboration
Since its founding in 2005, Cal-ICMA has acted as a vital link between local government leaders and our affiliate organizations, including:
Cal Cities City Managers Department (CMD)
California City Management Foundation (CCMF)
Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC)
Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC)
California Association of County Executives (CACE)
CivicPRIDE
International Network of Asian Public Administrators (I-NAPA)
Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN)
National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA)
Women Leading Government (WLG)
Together, these partnerships expand our reach and amplify our collective impact, ensuring that every local government professional in California has access to the tools, training, and support they need to thrive.
2025-2027 Board Work Plan: Strengthening Our Impact
To advance our mission, the Cal-ICMA Board has established a bold, forward-looking work plan for the next two years. Our focus includes:
1. Governance Enhancement
Strengthening our internal structure to ensure sustainability, transparency, and accountability.
Expanding opportunities for leadership development and succession planning within Cal-ICMA.
2. ICMA 2026 Conference Preparation
In 2026, California will host the ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach, and Cal-ICMA is leading the charge in ensuring its success.
We are actively working on volunteer recruitment, programming input, and partnership engagement to make this a world-class event for local government professionals.
3. Enhanced Communication and Engagement
Strengthening our Communications & Relations Strategy to ensure members stay informed, connected, and engaged.
Enhancing outreach to new and emerging leaders in local government.
Expanding our digital and in-person engagement opportunities.
Through these initiatives, we are positioning Cal-ICMA as an even stronger resource for local government professionals—whether they are just starting their careers or leading organizations at the highest levels.
A Personal Commitment to Lifelong Learning & Ethical Leadership
I am proud to share that I recently earned the ICMA-CM (Credentialed Manager) designation, a milestone that reflects my commitment to continuous professional development, ethical leadership, and the principles outlined in the ICMA Code of Ethics.
This achievement underscores my personal and professional dedication to lifelong learning and upholding the highest standards of public service. As your Cal-ICMA President, I will work tirelessly to advance these values across our profession and support our members in their pursuit of excellence.
Thank You to Our Sponsors & Partners
Our work would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners, who share our commitment to ethical and professional local government management. We extend our deepest appreciation to organizations like:
Cloudvice: A consulting partner specializing in cloud adoption and migration services, focusing on modernizing business processes for public and private sector clients using Oracle SaaS Cloud solutions.
Schneider Electric: A global leader in digital transformation, energy solutions, and automation, offering comprehensive services tailored for municipalities to optimize operations and create sustainable communities.
Madison AI: An AI assistant designed to research previous board actions, analyze issues, and draft staff reports, enhancing efficiency and decision-making within local governments.
Transtech Engineers: Providing professional engineering and consulting services to public agencies, focusing on delivering innovative solutions for infrastructure and development projects.
Gravity: Offering budgeting tool that streamline financial planning by enabling multi-entity budgeting, seamless Excel integration, and detailed tracking of budgets versus actuals.
Polimorphic: Delivers AI-driven software solutions that streamline government workflows and enhance resident services for a more efficient public sector.
Tripepi Smith: A full-service communications and digital marketing agency that empowers local governments and public agencies with creative, strategic, and technology-driven solutions.
Alpha Omni Development LLC: Focusing on real estate development and consulting, partnering with municipalities to drive community development and economic growth.
CSG Consultants: Delivering municipal engineering, building safety, and planning services, supporting cities and counties in achieving their community development goals.
Eaton & Associates: Providing IT consulting and managed services, assisting local governments in implementing secure and efficient technology solutions.
FlashVote: A civic engagement platform that enables local governments to gather timely and reliable public input to inform decision-making processes.
Management Partners (MRG): Offering management consulting services to local governments, focusing on improving organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
RPPG / RPMG: Specializing in public policy and government relations, assisting municipalities in navigating legislative and regulatory challenges.
With: Offering a centralized community calendar platform that streamlines local event management and resident engagement for cities and organizations.
Zencity: A community engagement platform that leverages data analytics to help local governments understand resident sentiment and improve public services.
For more information about our partners and to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please visit:
🔗 Cal-ICMA Corporate Partners
Gratitude to Our Board, Affiliates, and Volunteers
Finally, I want to personally thank our incredible Cal-ICMA Board of Directors, our affiliates, and the many volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to strengthening our profession. Your contributions are the backbone of our success, and I look forward to working alongside you in the years ahead.
Together, we will continue to elevate our profession, champion ethical governance, and support the next generation of local government leaders.
Let’s make 2025-2027 a period of growth, excellence, and impact for Cal-ICMA and all of our members.
Sincerely,
Dr. Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM
City Manager, Town of Los Altos Hills
Cal-ICMA President, 2025-2026