To prepare future Hispanic and Latino leaders for public service

 

To provide unique resources to government executives and public managers

 

  To advance the goals of an ethical profession

July 2nd of this year marked the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - a remarkable milestone in American history, erasing the doctrine of "separate but equal." That landmark triumph of the early civil rights movement was aptly characterized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as the "dawn of a new hope."

 

And indeed it brought great, positive change to American life, to American families, and to the American dream itself, marking the beginning of significant change to the very foundation of racial equality in our country and our communities.

 

For us, as members of the IHN, and for the wider Latino community, this anniversary is an opportune time to reflect on the extraordinary progress made, on the vastly different landscape in which we live, and on the bravery of those who engaged in that early struggle to bring freedom and equality to the following generations.

 

We who now comprise those "following generations" do enjoy the many gains that came out of that struggle - and yet we do not lose sight of the fact that issues of equality continue. While our children's world as they grow into adulthood will be even further removed from that day in 1964, there are, and will still be, struggles - for Latinos, women, the LBGT community, African-Americans, Asians, and others who face some level of marginalization, exclusion, and discrimination.

 

Beyond its more immediate historic significance, I think it's important to recognize the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as the starting point for our country's recognition of the institutional discrimination which infected our nation, and of the actions that have been taken since then to address those inequalities - some of which continue today. Organizations such as IHN and National Forum for Black Public Administrators exist to support people of color in the profession of local government. Our role is critical in continuing to build on that foundation laid 50 years ago.

 

A quick illustration: there are only 22 Latina city managers in the entire United States; given our Country's demographics and population, this is a reminder of how important it is that we continue to provide our support, and share access, education, knowledge, and experience to not only Hispanics in government service, but to the wider Latino communities, their families, and their youth.

 

Like those who struggled for civil rights in the middle of the 20th century, it is our duty to continue to push those boundaries that exist today so that, in turn, the need for the next generation's struggle for equality can be further diminished. Through our actions we are also helping them to learn to accept that same responsibility, to carry the banner of equality and equity into the generations beyond. By doing this, we're having an impact beyond the Latino community; we're setting the stage for our children and grandchildren to foster an evermore inclusive and accepting society as a whole, one that embraces diversity across all who were, at one point in time, discriminated against based on color, gender, age, race, sexual preference, or ability.

 

This global perspective will, I believe, help us as IHN continues to work to prepare more Latinos for leadership roles, and as we serve as a resource for our communities.

 

-Magda Gonzalez, IHN President & City Manager of East Palo Alto, California 

Women Leading Government presented Patricia E. Martel,

Pat Martel, City Manager, Daly City, CA, ICMA President Elect and IHN Board Member

City Manager of Daly City, CA with the 2014 Career Excellence Award, at the MMANC 2014 Women's Leadership Summit Luncheon & Awards Ceremony.

 

Women Leading Government Chair Carol Jacobs presented Martel with the award and stated, "Pat is an adaptable leader who is a role model for all women in the city management profession and we are proud to present her with this award."

"I am deeply honored to receive this award and the recognition of my colleagues.  It is inspiring to see so many women serving in executive leadership roles in local government today. I am reminded daily of the meaningful difference that women are making as local government professionals and leaders in our communities," stated Martel.

 

During more than thirty years in local government, Martel has held executive management positions with several California municipalities including the cities of Inglewood, South San Francisco and Daly City where she previously served as the Assistant City Manager from 1995-2001.  In 2001, she served as the General Manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission which serves over two million people in the Bay Area. In 2005, Martel was unanimously appointed as City Manager of Daly City.

 

Martel has had the distinction of being named City Manager in Residence at Stanford University's Haas Center for Public Service - serving as a resource and advocate for local government. In addition, Martel's past honors include being named the Latino Heritage Month Local Hero by KQED Public Broadcasting and Kaiser Permanente in 2004; 100 Most Influential Business Women in the Bay Area by The San Francisco Business Times in 2003; and Top 100 Women Business Leaders in the Bay Area by the Business Journal in 2002.

 

Martel has demonstrated a strong commitment to the next generation of leaders and has supported their training and development by supporting the creation of the Regional Training and Development Consortium, a collaborative among cities in San Mateo County and the County of San Mateo. Furthermore, she has been an active mentor coaching young professionals on all aspects of their career through the CAL-ICMA Coaches Gallery. CAL-ICMA is the state affiliate of the International City/County Management Association, the premier leadership and management association of professional local government managers. Martel previously served as the West Coast Regional Vice President on the ICMA Board of Directors.

 

Women Leading Government (WLG) is an initiative established in November 2006 by the Cal-ICMA Preparing the Next Generation Committee. Organized by female managers of California's cities, counties, and special districts, WLG's mission is to assist female managers in their career development and advancement.

 

Reprinted with permission from the Women Leading Government

 

Pat Martel is President-elect of ICMA and has been an IHN member since 2009 and is currently an IHN board member.  

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) announced today the reelection of its president, California State Senator Alex Padilla, officers and board members. The president and board leadership were elected at the organization's board of directors meeting on June 29, 2014 in San Diego, Calif., following the group's 31st Annual Conference . 

By: Maria Hurtado, IHN Board Member and Assistant City Manager, City of Tracy, CA   

 

IHN is proud to introduce the Padrinos/Madrinas Coaching Program. This program will offer IHN members access to seasoned and experienced Hispanic/Latino(a) and other local government executives across all disciplines to offer career advancement strategies, brainstorm on projects or to troubleshoot local challenges in serving the Hispanic/Latino community. The Padrinos/Madrinas have a wealth of information and are available to share their experience and expertise on any number of topics of interest.

 

The IHN Padrinos/Madrinas coaching program is made up of a network of Hispanic/Latino(a) volunteers and other leaders who are available for a one-time meeting or conversation, periodic discussions, or for an ongoing coaching relationship; it's your choice based on your need.

 

If you are an aspiring manager who wants to discuss leadership issues, problematic work situations or are interested in accelerating your advancement in local government and would like to speak to someone who has specific expertise or knowledge in the areas of finance, human resources, economic development, or other areas, you will now have a wealth of experience at your fingertips.

It's simple. All you have to do is review the profiles of the Padrinos/Madrinas and select one or two and contact them. It's easy, it's confidential, and it will be available to you this fall.

 

The IHN Padrinos/Madrinas Coaching Program will be launched on August 22, 2014 at the IHN Regional Summit in San Jose, CA. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact Pat Martel, City Manager of Daly City, CA at pmartel@dalycity.org or Maria Hurtado, Interim City Manager of City of Tracy, CA at  maria.hurtado@ci.tracy.ca.us 

By: Nachie Marquez, IHN Board Member and Chair of Communications Committee, Assistant City Manager, City of Chandler, AZ

 

 

Carlos Baia, Deputy City Manager for Development for the City of Concord, New Hampshire

 

Carlos Baia

Carlos Baia is the Deputy City Manager for Development for the City of Concord, New Hampshire where he has served since 2007. During his tenure, Concord has been recognized by the Florida-based Policom Corporation as the #1 micropolitan economy in the United States several years running.

 

Prior to his current position, he was the Economic Development Manager for the City of Deerfield Beach, Florida, as well as the director of the City's Beach/Cove Community Redevelopment Agency.

 

Carlos is originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University, where he majored in Politics with minors in Latin American Studies and Spanish Literature. He also has Master's degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where his thesis focused on Brazilian Civil-Military relations, and the University of Florida.

 

Carlos is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. He is presently serving as the 1st vice president of the Municipal Management Association of New Hampshire. He lives in Concord with his wife, Larissa, and their two children, Tatiana and Jonas.

 

 

Rolando Fernandez, Assistant Director for the Contract Management Department for the City of Austin, Texas

 

Rolando Fernandez

Rolando Fernandez, Jr., currently serves as the Assistant Director for the Contract Management Department for the City of Austin, Texas. In this capacity, he provides executive support to the department director and leadership and management to four divisions consisting of 43 team members. Additionally, Rolando is responsible for the procurement and management of contracts for all Austin capital improvement projects in accordance with City and State statute and policies.

 

Prior to his current position, Rolando worked in the City Manager's Office as the assistant to the city manager and as an Assistant to two assistant city managers. He places a high value in making consistent and comprehensive decisions in a timely manner, providing clear and upfront communication, exemplifying and expecting a can-do attitude, and developing and sustaining a team approach to getting things done.

 

Rolando served as an aerospace physiologist in the United States Air Force; serving as a non-commissioned officer in charge of Operations within the School of Aerospace Physiology. He provided leadership to numerous airmen and was deployed in support of reconnaissance missions in the Korean Peninsula, Southwest Asia and Mediterranean theaters of operation.

 

He earned a Masters of Public Administration with Distinguished Graduate Honors from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, while serving full-time in the U.S. Air Force. He also received a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychological Studies from Wayland Baptist University in San Antonio, Texas.

 

Rolando enjoys spending time with his wife, Helen, and their daughters Natalie (10) and Olivia (11 months).