About Us

Sponsored by the City / County Managers Associations of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, the Next Gen Committee is is tasked to identify programs to address the “retirement wave” of baby-boomer managers and professionals who are exiting local government in the region. The Committee is composed of City Managers, Assistant City Managers, Human Resources Directors and staff, emerging leaders, representatives of workforce investment boards, and university career center staff. Frank Benest, former City Manager of Palo Alto, California, and currently ICMA Senior Advisor, chairs the Committee for Next Generation Initiatives. Members of the Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC) also serve on the Committee.

Meeting on a quarterly basis, the committee works to identify needs, initiate and implement programs and evaluate the collective effort. Programs include the following efforts to attract, grown and retain talent:

Programs Offered Each Year

    • Regional Internship Program for paid or unpaid internships for university students offered by local government agencies in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
    • Regional Fellowship Program offers top talent from local universities the opportunity to work on meaningful projects within local government agencies in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
    • Meeting with University Career Centers Education about local government careers & opportunities

Programs Offered Once Every Two Years