Town Manager O’Keefe tapped for two professional honors

East Hampton Town Manager Jeffery J. O'Keefe. Courtesy photo.

Town Manager Jeffery J. O’Keefe has been tapped for two national professional honors.

The International City/County Managers Association (ICMA) has nominated him as a candidate for Credentialed Manager – only six other current town/city managers in Connecticut currently hold this designation, according to a press release issued Oct. 29, 2009.

Less than one-third of all managers, nationally, have achieved this status.

To qualify, candidates must demonstrate to a “very critical national review panel” that they have, at a minimum, five years of comprehensive, executive municipal management experience, as well as demonstrate “a sincere commitment to the profession and to a life of public service.”

Candidates also must demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development and high ethical standards.

East Hampton Town Council Chair Melissa Engel congratulated O’Keefe for this recognition and said, “This is quite an honor for our Town Manager and for our town; we are extremely pleased with this announcement.”

Council member John Tuttle added his congratulations and said, “This affirms our selection of Mr. O’Keefe as our new Town Manager. We knew that Jeff had extensive experience in municipal governance, but it was his passion for the job that attracted us most.”

O’Keefe also has been selected from a pool of national candidates for the intensive, two-year ICMA Professional Leadership Program, the release states.

O’Keefe expressed his gratitude for these opportunities saying, “I am extremely humbled by this nomination for the Credentialed Manager designation, and I am glad it has happened while I am in East Hampton.”

Posted Oct. 29, 2009