The Photograph: Staunton's Assistant City Manager Honored

Staunton's Assistant City Manager
Honored By State Professional Association

James M. Halasz receives award from government management group.

Staunton Assistant City Manager James M. Halasz was honored Friday with the 2007 Virginia Local Government Management Association (VLGMA) Marsha Mashaw Outstanding Assistant's Award. The award was presented at the 2007 VLGMA Summer Conference at Virginia Beach.

Halasz was honored specifically for his efforts as Acting City Manager in 2006 and early 2007. Shortly after Bob Stripling retired as City manager in 2006, Halasz had to orient and work with new members of council, as well as continue overall supervision of city operations. He responded to a number of management challenges over the second half of 2006 and continued as Acting City Manager until Stephen F. Owen took office as City Manager in March of this year.

"I have only worked with Jim Halasz for a few months, but it is clear to me that he is indeed an outstanding and very professional manager," Owen said. "He is committed to his work and his community, and truly deserves this recognition."

The Mashaw Award is given annually to an assistant or deputy city, county or town manager within Virginia to honor their professional achievements, and community involvement. The award was named for Marsha Mashaw, an outstanding assistant city manager in Blacksburg who died in office. The VLGMA is an organization of city, town and county managers and senior staff that works to strengthen the quality of local government through professional management.

Halasz represents the city on a number of boards and commissions, including those for the Office on Youth, the Upper Valley Regional Parks Authority, the Coordinated Area Transportation Services, and the Valley Community Services Board.

A native of Michigan, Halasz is a graduate of the U. Va. Weldon Cooper Center's Senior Executive Institute, and he holds a Master of Public Administration from Michigan State University. He managed several Michigan towns prior to becoming Staunton's Assistant City Manager in 2000.