Planning & Development: Joe james Award (Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission)

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Joseph A. James Memorial
Excellence in Local Government Achievement Award

Joe James, a noted scholar with the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, was a lifelong advocate for intergovernmental cooperation and professionalism in local government.

The Joseph A. James Memorial Award recognizes a municipal government elected or appointed official in any local government, agency, or Council of Government for a lifetime of exemplary governance or management; improving professionalism in municipal government; making a significant contribution to municipal government services; providing an outstanding service or facility; innovation, or outstanding leadership in a local government cause.

Douglas A. Watkins, 2007-2008 Recipient

Jim and Douglas The 2007-2008 recipient of the Joseph A. James Memorial Award is Douglas A. Watkins, retired manager of Upper St. Clair. Only the fourth manager in the history of Upper St. Clair, Mr. Watkins started as the director of finance, and took the job of township manager in 1982. Prior to that, he worked in local government in McCandless, Green Tree and Plum boroughs.

During his tenure, Mr. Watkins worked with Dr. William Pope, a former school superintendent, to introduce a quarterly magazine, Upper St. Clair Today. The magazine has published more than 50 editions over a period of 13 years as a joint venture between the school district and the township.

Mr. Watkins served as Vice Chairman of the Chartiers Valley District Flood Control Authority Board of Directors since 1985 and as the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of the Upper St. Clair Municipal Authority Board of Directors since 1984. He was also the President of the Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management from 1995 to 1996, and served as the Treasurer of the Western Pennsylvania Municipal Managers Association and member of the ICMA Task Force on Council/Manager Form of Government from 1992 to 1994.

He graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and then received a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2005, he received the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Mr. Watkins grew up in Bradford, Pa., where his father was a surgeon and his mom a homemaker, raising him and his two brothers and a sister. He and his wife of 31 years, Clare, have three children and four grandchildren.

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Past Recipients of the Joseph A. James Memorial Award

2002 – Marcia Taylor
2003 – Jerry Andree
2004 – Keith Robb
2005 – Rich DePietress
2006 – Christine Altenberger
2007 – Ellen Kight

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