WASHINGTON, D.C. — James A. “Jim” Bennett, city manager of Presque Isle and former city administrator of Lewiston, was recently selected as president–elect of the International City/County Management Association.

Bennett was chosen by the ICMA executive board at its May 30-June 2 meeting in Annapolis, Md., and will serve as president-elect for a one-year term, commencing September 2013 at the ICMA 99th Annual Conference in Boston. Bennett will assume the role of president at the ICMA Annual Conference in Charlotte, N.C., in September 2014, as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Bennett’s career in Maine local government spans more than 30 years. He launched his career in public service in 1982 at age 21 with his election as selectman for the town of Lisbon and subsequent re-election three years later. In 1986, he accepted the position of town manager of Dixfield, after which he went on to serve as town manager of New Gloucester (1988-1990) and Old Orchard Beach (1990-1996), until he became city administrator of Westbrook in 1986, a position he held for six years. He later served as city administrator of Lewiston (2002-2009); and as interim town manager of Sabattus (2009-2010). He accepted his current position as city manager of Presque Isle in 2010.

Bennett has been an active member of ICMA since 1986. He served several stints on the organization’s Conference Planning Committee and was named chairman in 2007. He also served as a member of the Small Community Task Force (1999-2001); an Annual Conference Blogger (2008); a member of the Task Force on Women in the Profession (2012-present); and an ICMA Legacy Leader (2009–present), as one of a group of senior executives committed to coaching and supporting the professional development needs of the next generation of local government managers.

He received an ICMA Service Award in 2011 in recognition of his 25 years of service to local government. He also has been recognized by ICMA for several outstanding programs implemented under his direction, including: Westbrook’s Strategic Plan (2002); Lewiston’s Southern Gateway Project (2006); and Lewiston’s Health Care Management by Prevention Program (2008).

Bennett’s professional achievements include serving on the board of the Maine Town, City, and County Management Association from 1996 to 1998 (the year in which he became president); and as past president from 1999 to 2000. He also served on the MTCMA Conference Planning Committee. In 2003, MTCMA designated him “Manager of the Year,” and in 2006, he received the Public Service Leadership Award from the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce.

He earned an associate of science degree from Bentley College in Massachusetts in 1981 and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Southern Maine in 1985. He completed his formal education with a master of business administration degree from the University of Southern Maine in 1997.