Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge receives award for partnership that led to AMSE opening in new space

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The City of Oak Ridge was formally honored with a Community Partnership Award during a Celebration of Service to the Profession as part of ICMA’s Annual Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, center; Government Affairs and Information Services Director Amy Fitzgerald, second from left; and Administrative Services Director Bruce Applegate, left, accepted the award in Nashville. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge has received an award for the intergovernmental partnership that led to the American Museum of Science and Energy opening in a new centrally located space in Main Street Oak Ridge.

The 2019 Community Partnership Award was presented to the city by the International City/County Management Association, or ICMA.

“The award recognizes innovative programs or processes between and/or among a local government and other governmental entities, private sector businesses, individuals, or nonprofit agencies to improve the quality of life for residents or provide more efficient and effective services,” a press release said.

The City of Oak Ridge was formally honored during a Celebration of Service to the Profession as part of ICMA’s Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 23. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, Government Affairs and Information Services Director Amy Fitzgerald, and Administrative Services Director Bruce Applegate accepted the award in Nashville.

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Oak Ridge city manager honored with Lifetime Achievement Award from University of Kansas

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Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas University City Managers and Trainees Alumni Organization (KUCIMAT) on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, during a banquet at the International City/County Management Association Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas University City Managers and Trainees Alumni Organization (KUCIMAT) on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, during a banquet at the International City/County Management Association Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas University City Managers and Trainees Alumni Organization (KUCIMAT) on Sunday, October 22, during a banquet at the International City/County Management Association Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, a press release said.

The KU Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have, through cumulative career achievements and successes, furthered the purpose of the KUCIMAT organization, the press release said. As stated in his nomination for the award, written by his son Kevin Watson, “Mark’s passion for local government combined with his strong leadership and commitment to mentoring the next generation of managers made him an ideal candidate.”

Speaking about the award, Watson said: “I was deeply surprised and honored that my fellow city managers from across the nation and United Kingdom had recognized me for my work. Members of my family, a number of friends, and many of my past interns, who are now practicing city managers, were there honoring me with their attendance.”

Watson is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration in city management, the press release said. Watson was selected as city manager of Oak Ridge in August 2010 after a 30-year career in local government. He is a second-generation city manager and has served in that capacity since 1981, the press release said. Before arriving in Oak Ridge, Watson served as city manager to six cities in Texas, Montana, and Arizona. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge recreation manager named a community hero

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Matt Reedy, left, receives an official ICMA Community Hero certificate and letter from Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, right. From left to right in background are Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn, Council member Jim Dodson, and Council member Kelly Callison. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Matt Reedy, left, receives an official ICMA Community Hero certificate and letter from Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, right. From left to right in background are Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn, Council member Jim Dodson, and Council member Kelly Callison. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Oak Ridge Recreation Manager Matt Reedy has been named a 2017 Community Hero by the International City/County Management Association, or ICMA. Reedy is one of just 10 people chosen from across the country, a press release said.

“The honor is part of an ICMA initiative called ‘Life, Well Run,’ which aims to raise awareness of and appreciation for the value professional managers bring to build ethical, efficient, effective local government, and great communities we’re proud to call home,” a press release said.

Reedy was surprised with the announcement and a presentation of a certificate from ICMA at the regular city council meeting on Monday, April 10, the press release said. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson spoke about Reedy’s devotion to the city and its people, in particular its youth. [Read more…]

Watson could be considered as president-elect of international management group

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson could be considered to become president-elect of the International City/County Management Association, or ICMA.

Watson is one of only 41 members across the world who qualify to serve as president, according to a November 24 memo to the Oak Ridge City Council. He could become the first ICMA president from Tennessee in the 100-year history of the organization.

The seven-member City Council on Monday is being asked to support Watson’s participation.

“If selected, he would be in line to become president of the professional association that represents 9,000 appointed city managers, administrators, and assistants from across the United States and the world,” said Michael W. Walker, executive director of the Tennessee City Management Association. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge to host two international government management professionals in May

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In May, local community leaders will host two professionals from Indonesia for short-term assignments in their offices as they participate in the U.S. Department of State-sponsored Professional Fellows Program. The exchange has been arranged by the International City/County Management Association, or ICMA, the organization that develops and advances professional local government management worldwide. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson is a local member of the ICMA.

This year, the Professional Fellows Program is providing professional development opportunities to up-and-coming leaders in the fields of legislative process and governance, media, and economic empowerment. This international exchange program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and in 2014, more than 400 foreign fellows, including legislators, journalists, entrepreneurs, NGO managers, community activists, and government officials will come to the United States under the Professional Fellows Program. In return, more than 300 American participants will take part in reciprocal fellowship programs overseas this year under the program. Some of the local organizations hosting the participants include: City of Oak Ridge, Staybridge Suites, and local home hosts.

“I feel great honor and privilege that the City of Oak Ridge has been chosen to host the ICMA fellows, Irma Mutiahsari and Hera Nugrahayu from Indonesia,” Watson said. “Our community has come together to provide our fellows with an applied understanding of our city.” [Read more…]