Member Spotlight
Janis Gallagher, Pitt County Manager, North Carolina - Thomas J. Lundy Scholarship Recipient 2023
“One of the most interesting and valuable sessions for me was the NACA Idea Exchange Monday afternoon. The synergy from county leaders in what turned out to be a very crowded room was awesome, and the ideas shared on relevant topics were worth taking home and replicating. I remain so appreciative of the opportunity to have received the NACA scholarship! The insights gained from this experience will have a tremendously positive impact on my work and career as a County Manager. I look forward to connecting again with NACA at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in February.”
Full Testimonial from J. Thomas Lundy Scholarship Recipient, Janis Gallagher, who attended the 2023 ICMA Conference in Austin/Travis County, Texas.
“I am grateful to have attended the 2023 International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Conference in Austin/Travis County, Texas with the assistance of the J. Thomas Lundy Scholarship awarded by the National Association of County Administrators (NACA)! As a new County Manager serving in a rural eastern North Carolina County, this scholarship provided me with an opportunity to gain valuable insights on leadership and substantive topics affecting local governments, as well as network with managers from around the globe. It also introduced me to and gave me better understanding of NACA, ICMA, and many valuable partner organizations that exist to support local government managers.
I felt a warm welcome by ICMA at the First Time Attendee Meet and Greet, and met students and colleagues from the east coast to the west coast, up to Canada and over to Israel. Their perspectives reinforced how we as managers around the country and world have far more in common than different, and I was excited to take some of the innovative ideas they shared back home to Pitt County, North Carolina for consideration here. The General Session speakers left me feeling more knowledgeable and inspired. I took away many practical tips from educational workshops on sustainability, budgeting, employee recruitment and retention, the arts, and more. One of the most interesting and valuable sessions for me was the NACA Idea Exchange Monday afternoon. The synergy from county leaders in what turned out to be a very crowded room was awesome, and the ideas shared on relevant topics were worth taking home and replicating. The work was certainly balanced by a good bit of fun as well. I’ve attached a picture of me and Jennifer Schoeneck, an Economic Developer in Escondido, California posing with a real Texas Longhorn in the Exhibit Hall Sunday evening! I experienced authentic Austin breakfast tacos with Joseph Gacioch, Manager in Ferndale Michigan. Delicious food and networking with fellow North Carolinians at the North Carolina City and County Manager Association off site event Monday evening was also a highlight.
I remain so appreciative of the opportunity to have received the NACA scholarship! The insights gained from this experience will have a tremendously positive impact on my work and career as a County Manager. I look forward to connecting again with NACA at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in February. Thank you so much!
Janis Gallagher
County Manager
Pitt County, North Carolina”