When G. Tracy Williams goes on business trips, he sometimes ends up halfway around the world.
Williams, a city manager for West Carrollton, Ohio, has visited Vidin, Bulgaria, three times in the past two years. He travels there to work with Mayor Ivan Cenov as part of a program to help the city transition to a democratic government system. This arrangement is part of the Resource Cities Program, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development.
“Bulgaria is striving toward greater autonomy at the local level and is especially challenged in rebuilding their economy to overcome high unemployment,” Williams says. “Economic development is vital to Bulgaria.”
Williams’ work in the United States has also been significant. Last winter, The Dayton Area Manager’s Association named Williams Public Manager of the Year. A 1973 MPA grad, Williams has also been the recipient of several management innovation awards from the International City/County Management Association. Civically, he’s been involved with the West Carrollton Rotary Club, Sycamore Hospital advisory board, Ohio Municipal League Legislative Policy Committee, and Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management.
“City management is extraordinarily demanding and highly satisfying as you have a stewardship to help move communities toward a shared vision to improve the quality of life in a complex urban environment,” Williams says.
He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia. He has also served as president of several local government management associations including the Dayton Area Managers and the Ohio City/County Management Association. Williams’ local government service includes serving the City of Manitou Springs, Colorado, as city manager for two years before being appointed in 1977 by the West Carrollton City Council as city manager.
Williams’ education includes a BS in urban planning from Ball State University, an MPA from BYU, and postgraduate studies in public administration at the University of Colorado, Denver. He and his wife, Karen, who is an attorney in private practice, have two children.
