New Jersey Municipal Management Association Recognizes SPAA Distinguished Practitioner in Residence James Davy for 40 Years of Membership and Service

On Nov. 14, 2018, the New Jersey Municipal Management Association recognized James Davy, distinguished practitioner in residence and director of the Center for Applied Appreciative Inquiry at Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration, for his 40 years of service as an NJMMA member. The award was given during the 103rd Annual League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the New Jersey Municipal Management Association for 40 years of continuous service – and by the way, it doesn’t feel like 40 years,” Davy joked.

Davy’s decades-long membership in NJMMA has paralleled his long and distinguished career in municipal management during which he served as the township administrator for Hopewell Township, NJ, the township manager of West Milford, NJ, and business administrator for Woodbridge, NJ, before serving as the chief of management and operations for the State of New Jersey during former Governor James McGreevey’s administration, as well as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. His experiences shaped the insight he brought to NJMMA, including a term as the organization’s president in 1990.

Davy eventually retired from government service and began a second career as an organizational consultant for nonprofits, universities, and government agencies. He also became an educator, teaching strategic planning, positive organizational change, ethics, and leadership and diversity. 

The NJMMA praised Davy, noting, “Your colleagues and friends wish to honor an amazing feat and wonderful career that still has more to give. You are one of the longest tenured NJMMA members who have ever participated in our organization…thank you for your example of professionalism, participation, and service over these past many years.”

This award is Davy's second from NJMMA following his receipt of the award in his father’s namesake – the 2016 Dr. Thomas J. Davy Academic Achievement Award – for his outstanding work in teaching students of public administration.

“I value both awards, the academic achievement award in honor of my father and the 40-year recognition, because they are connected to my passion of serving others in the filed of pubic administration,” Davy said. “I’ve had a great public service career, which I’ve enjoyed thoroughly.”