DK Wesley, assistant county manager for Buncombe County Government, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Wesley is one of more than 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.
"The ICMA Credentialed Manager designation isn't just a title," said County Manager Avril Pinder. "It's a testament to integrity and excellence, and for our Buncombe community, it signals a leader who is committed to efficient governance, sustainable growth, and a brighter future. This designation also speaks volumes for Assistant County Manager Wesley's commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning." Pinder also maintains the ICMA Credentialed Manager designation, as does Assistant County Manager Sybil Tate.
ICMA’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics and by increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world. The organization’s 13,000 members in 27 countries also include educators, students, and other local government employees.
To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must:
- Have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government
- Have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field
- Have demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development
Wesley qualifies with more than seven years of professional local government executive experience and 24 years of overall government experience. Prior to her 2019 appointment as Buncombe County's assistant county manager, she served as assistant county administrator in Lake County, Illinois for the Law & Judicial, Ethics & Oversight, Health & Community Services, Rules, and Diversity & Inclusion departments and committees.
Highlights of Wesley’s ICMA membership include a longstanding membership on the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Committee.
Wesley has also made significant contributions to a number of other organizations, including the National Forum of Black Public Administrators, Vaya Health, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Justice Resource Advisory Council and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
About ICMA
ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government worldwide. The organization’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics.
ICMA identifies leading practices to address the needs of local governments and professionals serving communities globally. We provide services, research, publications, data and information, peer and results-oriented assistance, and training and professional development to thousands of city, town, and county leaders and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect millions of people living in thousands of communities, ranging in size from small towns to large metropolitan areas.