LEWISTON — James “Jim” Bennett, city manager of Presque Isle and former administrator of the city of Lewiston, will be the lunchtime keynote speaker at the Nov. 8 Greater Androscoggin Real Estate, Housing and Land Use Conference, to be held at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center. Bennett is well-known and respected for his extensive contributions to the governing of communities throughout Maine, and has a special talent in the area of downtown revitalization.

A lifelong resident of Maine, Bennett grew up in the town of Lisbon. Serving first as a Lisbon selectman at the early age of 21, he has been actively involved in public administration since 1982. Most recently, he served as the interim town manager for Sabattus.

In addition, Jim has been recognized by the International City & County Management Association for outstanding programs; in 2002, he was recognized for Westbrook’s Strategic Plan; in 2006, for Lewiston’s Southern Gateway Project; in 2008 for Lewiston’s cost-saving Health Care Management by Prevention.

He was also designated the 2003 Manager of the Year by the Maine Town and City Management Association and received the 2006 Public Service Leadership Award from the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce.

He currently serves as the president-elect of the International City and County Management Association. He will assume the office of ICMA president in September of 2014.