Harrell-Hutchinson Visiting Urban Management Professional Program

About the Program

ASU School of Public Affairs is pleased to bring an urban management professional as a Harrell-Hutchinson Visiting Professional to help educate the next generation of local government leaders. The chosen professional will speak to public administration classes, meet with students in the ASU School of Public Affairs and speak to the ASU chapter of the International City/County Management Association, and with local government practitioners from Arizona cities, towns and counties. In addition, the professional will meet with students in the two-year Marvin Andrews and Jane Morris Fellowship in Urban Management.

The program combines in-person and virtual elements. The professional must be in Arizona working with School of Public Affairs faculty and staff for two key periods: one week in January (coinciding with the Arizona City/County Management Association Winter Conference) and one week in September (coinciding with the Academic Year Welcome/Donor Reception). Throughout the rest of the program, the HHVP will participate in lectures, speeches, discussions, and consultations via Zoom.The grant funding the visiting professional will be administered by the Watts College for Public Service and Community Solutions.

The endowment made by Lloyd and Nancy Harrell is intended to benefit students learning public administration in their classrooms as well as local practitioners in the profession.

How to apply

We are always looking for names, and if people have ideas for who would be a good Visiting Professional, they should send it in. We will consider all of those suggested by the deadline each year, but always welcome additions to the list no matter time of year.

Requirements:

The professional will make at least one in-person visit of approximately one week to the School of Public Affairs in Downtown Phoenix during 2026, and be available for Zoom lectures, speeches, discussions and consultations throughout all of 2026.
The professional will be able to schedule and plan their own visit, travel, and lodging. ASU plans to offer a stipend of $8,000 to the chosen visiting professional.

Do you want to suggest an outstanding professional? Please provide a resume and letter of interest to Kari Kent, Local Government Fellowship Manager, at Karolyn.Kent@asu.edu.

The Selection Process

Professionals suggested to the Harrell-Hutchinson Visiting Urban Management Professional Program will be assessed by a committee. They will recruit and select the visiting professional, according to the terms of the grant.

Meet the 2025 Visiting Professional

Patricia "Pat" Martel is a distinguished public service leader whose career spans nearly four decades in California local government.

Since her retirement in 2018, Pat has served as the
International City/County Management's West Coast Regional Director (ICMA), an organization of approximately 13,000 members of local government professionals. As Regional Director, Martel continues to advance her vision of diverse, inclusive, and effective local governance, building on her legacy of outstanding public service.

Throughout her 38-year career, Pat demonstrated exceptional leadership across multiple California jurisdictions, most notably serving as City Manager of Daly City from 2005 to 2018. Her expertise in managing communities ranging from 67,000 to 850,000 residents includes key leadership positions in Inglewood, South San Francisco, San Francisco, and Hayward. During her tenure as City Manager, she championed initiatives focused on efficient service delivery, community engagement, organizational excellence, and diversity in leadership. Pat's influence extends well beyond her direct executive roles. Pat made history in 2015 when she became the 102nd President of ICMA. As the first woman of color to hold this position, Pat’s selection marked a significant milestone for diversity and inclusion both within the ICMA and in the broader field of city and county management. Pat’s led and/or developed numerous ICMA task forces and committees, particularly those focused on advancing women and promoting inclusivity in the profession. Her leadership extended to other prestigious boards, including the California City Management Foundation, Women Leading Government, and the Local Government Hispanic Network.

A proud alumna of the University of Southern California, Martel holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs and Journalism and a Master of Public Administration. Her dedication to public service has earned her numerous accolades, including: ICMA City Manager of the Year Award (2017), Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (2015), Women Leading Government Career Excellence Award (2013), Hispanic Heritage Month Local Hero Award
(2004).

She finds fulfillment in working with public administration students, helping them understand how they can create lasting positive change in their communities. As the 2025 Harrell-Hutchinson Visiting Urban Management Professional, she looks forward to continuing her lifelong mission of advancing excellence in local governance while guiding the next wave of municipal and county leaders.

Past HHVPs

Robert "Bob" O'Neill

Robert "Bob" O'Neill is the inaugural Harrell-Hutchinson Visiting Professional and served in 2023. O’Neill’s career in public service has been marked by leadership, innovation, and a commitment to professional development. From his early days as a city manager in Hampton, Virginia, where he pioneered high-performance government practices, to his role as ICMA executive director, he has consistently championed efficiency, accountability, and collaboration. Bob’s initiatives, such as the ICMA Fellows program and leadership training, have inspired and prepared new generations of local government professionals. Read more about Bob here.

Jan C. Perkins

Jan Perkins, ICMA CM, brings more than 30 years of local government management and is a founding board member of Women Leading Government. Jan is dedicated to fostering good governance, mentoring local government leaders, and inspiring young professionals to pursue and thrive in public service. With a career spanning leadership roles in California and Michigan, including City Manager in Fremont and Morgan Hill, she is an expert in organizational development and strategic planning as Vice President of Raftelis. Jan has received numerous awards, including ICMA’s Distinguished Service Award and multiple lifetime achievement honors, and is a published thought leader on leadership and ethics. A founding board member of Women Leading Government and an ICMA Credentialed Manager, she continues to champion collaboration, equity, and excellence in local government. Read more about Jan here.

Meet the Founders

Lloyd Harrell

Lloyd Harrell’s career in urban management spanned 30 years: he led city staffs in Denton, Texas, and the Missouri cities of Liberty and Nevada before coming to Chandler, Arizona, where he served as city manager for six years before retiring. Harrell also was a School of Public Affairs faculty associate for more than a decade. Harrell said the endowment will make an exceptional education even more meaningful for the participating students.

Mike Hutchinson

Mike Hutchinson’s 28-year career with the city of Mesa culminated in 2000 when he began a five-year period as its city manager. Today he is executive vice president of the East Valley Partnership.