Henderson City Manager Jay Abercrombie took the TCMA helm, accepting the role of association President for the 24-25 year. (Contributed Photo)
Henderson’s City Manager, Jay Abercrombie was recently selected to act as President of the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) for the 2024-2025 year.
Abercrombie accepted the gavel in front of 700 Texas City Managers, Assistant City Managers and their families at the annual conference, held in South Padre Island. TCMA is an organization of local government professionals dedicated to promoting the highest standards of governance, service, leadership, ethics, and education while embracing individual and regional diversity for the benefit of its membership and the cities of Texas.
City of Henderson Mayor Buzz Fullen absolutely beamed when discussing Abercrombie’s appointment.
“We all know how great Jay is and we’re so proud to have him represent our great city from such a prestigious organization,” he said. “He has done wonderful things in our city and I’m sure will do just as much good for the Texas City Management Association.”
Other city officials and staff congratulated Abercrombie on his appointment and heaped praise on his work within the City of Henderson.
“With your leadership and vision, the city of Henderson has progressed substantially and continues to do so,” said Henderson Police Chief Chad Taylor. “TMCA will be well served with you as the association’s President. Congratulations Jay!”
“There could not be a more deserving individual to represent the TCMA and the City of Henderson,” said Davis Brown, City of Henderson’s Director of Operations. “Congrats and well done my friend!”
“Just another chapter added to the long list of things you have achieved,” said city secretary Cheryl Jimerson. “You are very passionate about everything you get involved in and we appreciate you more than you know.
Congratulations Jay.”
It is definitely an honor to work with Jay,” said Karen Arnall, the city’s Finance Director. “This is a huge responsibility to take on and I know he will make Henderson proud. Congratulations and Good Luck!”
“TCMA serves as a lighthouse; shining a beacon to promote the highest standards of governance, service, leadership, ethics,” said P.M. Johnson, the city’s Communications and
Marketing Coordinator. “Jay Abercrombie, a paragon of these worthy virtues, will lead this organization to new heights of innovation as he has done for our City. Sincere congratulations as you take the helm of Leadership.”
“Congratulations on becoming the President of the Texas City Managers Association! Your exceptional
leadership and dedication have always been an inspiration, and I am confident you will be a tremendous asset to TCMA. Your vision and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly lead the organization to new heights,” added Kirk Kimbrell, Henderson’s Public Services and Parks Director. “Wishing you continued success in this new role.”
Jumping headfirst into his new position, Abercrombie penned his President’s message entitled, Championing
Leadership By Supporting Those Who Lead.
In this message he states:
‘“What is a city manager?” This question is asked of me almost every day it seems. Unfortunately, most people haven’t even heard of a city manager or if they have, they have a completely wrong perception of what a city manager actually does. Early in my career I responded to this question with the normal boring answer that lists the everyday
responsibilities and duties that are in our job descriptions. More recently, I’ve changed my answer due to my interaction with peers in the city management industry.
Through the Texas City Management Association, I have met some of the most outstanding and selfless people. Individuals that are service minded and goal driven. Not the self-generated goals, but the goals of others in the communities that they serve. City managers and
administrators in Texas show leadership and manage countless personalities and opinions from all they serve and the staff they work with. They do it professionally and with an ethical mindset. They commit to things, projects, and people when that commitment is not always reciprocating.
TCMA has been the steady ground for me during my young career in city management. Through the numerous educational programs, I have learned valued
information that benefits me and the community I serve. The resources that have been collected over the past 99 years are astonishing and make me feel as if I can always find an answer to any question that comes before me and my City. However, the main resource that I have used the most is the community of managers that are always willing to share their experiences.
In the rural communities across Texas, there is only one city manager
or administrator in each city or town which can be lonely at times. But I’ve found that a quick text, email, or phone call to or from another manager simply makes me feel more confident that I’m not alone in what I’m doing. I have colleagues that I now call friends and it’s because of the Texas City Management Association. I’d like to thank our membership for being supportive of each other and I’d like to invite anyone who feels they need this type of support to join the Texas City Management
Association.
I am honored to serve as the President of TCMA for the 2024-2025 year. I look forward to a year of listening to what our core membership needs in its state professional association and how TCMA can support the managers in which it was created to serve.’
Congratulations go out to Jay Abercrombie on his prestigious new
position.
