Former Los Alamitos City Councilman Ronald Bates was recently honored in Washington D.C. as one of three recipients of the 2014 National Public Service Awards, from the American Society for Public Administration.
Former Los Alamitos City Councilman Ronald Bates was recently honored in Washington D.C. as one of three recipients of the 2014 National Public Service Awards, from the American Society for Public Administration.
Bates, who served on the Los Alamitos City Council from 1988 to 2004, was recognized for more than 30 years of public service, according to a press release from the ASPA. Much of his recent service has been as the city manager for Pico Rivera. Prior to running for Los Alamitos City Council, Bates had served in a number of public sector jobs, including city manager.
“I knew at that time that he was going to do a good job because of his background,” former Los Alamitos Councilman Chuck Sylvia said.
Bates said that he was honored by the unanticipated award. He said that the most satisfying thing about working in the public sector has been the feeling of working together with elected officials and city staffers to complete a project that provides postive results on the taxes residents pay.
“What I personally appreciate is the ability to see a project completed and delivering high-quality service to the public,” Bates said.
Sylvia said that Bates contacted him prior to announcing his intention to run in 1988, because Sylvia’s seat was one of two that was up for reelection that year. Sylvia said that Bates simply wanted to inform him that he was not displeased with the way the city was being run, but that he felt it was his time to serve the community. Sylvia said that Bates had a dynamic personality and knew he would be a strong candidate for city council. Bates would be the top vote getter in 1988, with Sylvia getting the second most votes to retain his seat on the council. The two served together until Sylvia left the council in 2000.
Sylvia said that Bates knowledge of financing and budget management were probably his biggest strengths when it came to city management, but also noted that he usually kept an open mind to ideas.
“I always felt that he listened to what everybody had to say,” Sylvia said.
Bates received his MBA and doctorate in public administration from USC. Bates began his public service in 1972 as an administrative assistant and administrative analyst with the City of Los Angeles. He moved to the County of Orange in 1973 as a budget director. He held positions as Buena Park City Manager and Anaheim Assistant Manager and worked in the private sector as a financial consultant and has served as president of the League of California Cities and the Southern California Association of Governments.
Bates and his co-winners were honored March 17 at the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) National Conference.
Bates is on the verge of retirement, but noted that he has been trying to retire for several years, but hasn’t been able to walk away. When he finally retires from full-time work, he said he will likely look for ways to keep contributing on a part-time basis, because he said he loves the work he does.
He also noted that he has seen young public employees he has worked with, who have become city managers and assistant city managers. Seeing them, who he affectionately calls “kids,” grow into those jobs is another aspect of his career he takes pride in.
“That’s really rewarding when you can find good people,” Bates said.
Bates and his wife Marilyn have lived in Los Alamitos since 1977. They have two daughters, Andrea Bates, 31, of Arlington, Virginia and Kimberly Pierce, 34, of Hawaii. Kimberly is the mother of their first grandchild, Cooper.