International City/County Management Association
International City/County Management Association (ICMA; originally called the International City Managers' Association) is an association representing professionals in local government management. It is based in Washington, D.C., USA. Founded in 1914 as the International City Managers Association, ICMA provides education and networking opportunities for its members, and offers the Credentialed Manager program to offer professional credentialing to city and county executive managers. It also conducts research, provides technical assistance and training, and promotes professional local government management.<Ref name="International City/County Management Association 1999 Revenue Estimation Revisited"></ref> In 1972, ICMA, with the help of  a Ford Foundation grant, created ICMA Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC), an independent nonstock, nonprofit, financial services company that created a way to make city and county manager retirement assets portable between localities. ICMA-RC expanded to manage proprietary funds and administer retirement accounts for any type of state and local government employee as well as employees working in Healthcare, Education and Nonprofit industries. The ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program recognizes professional local government managers qualified by a combination of education and experience, adherence to high standards of integrity, and an assessed commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. Managers are recognized  by ICMA through a peer review credentialing process, and this self-directed program offers an opportunity for interested ICMA members to quantify the unique expertise they bring to their communities. The program also assists ICMA members in focusing and reflecting upon their lifelong professional development experience. Members who participate in the program may earn the designation of ICMA Credentialed Manager granted by the ICMA Executive Board. The ICMA is considered part of the "Big Seven," a group of organizations that represent local and state government in the United States.