Last month, Wally Bobkiewicz, the Issaquah city administrator, traveled to Minneapolis to receive a National Public Service Award for his exemplary contributions to public service inside and outside the workplace.
The American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration presented the award at the annual conference.
According to the National Academy of Public Administration, the National Public Service Award is the only award that recognizes the contributions of public servants across local, state and federal government, as well as international and public service nonprofit organizations.
“To be recognized as a local government professional amongst my colleagues from other levels of government. That was pretty special,” Bobkiewicz said.
Bobkiewicz, who has had a career in city management for 25 years, said his childhood shaped him as a professional. He recalled his passion for public service ignited through his grandfather’s participation in the American Legion.
“I spent a lot of my early days going to American Legion meetings where they talked about good government, patriotism and working to support veterans,” he said. “As I look back on who I am as a person, spending those early days with him in various American Legion meetings…that led me to be involved in student government in high school and college.”
After high school, Bobkiewicz went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in public administration at Syracuse University.
Throughout 25 years, the current Issaquah administrator has held positions as city manager in Santa Paula, California and Evanston, Illinois and assistant city manager in Novato, California.
As the city administrator, Bobkiewicz oversees city services, including police, parks and community services, public works, community planning and development, economic development and general administrative services.
“We’ve got good elected officials, a great mayor, and an outstanding city staff,” he said “When that all comes together, it just serves the community the best way possible.”
Throughout the years, Bobkiewicz has supported the city through several initiatives, such as adding a behavioral health specialist to the Issaquah Police Department and partnering with the Snoqualmie Tribe to organize a mass vaccination site at Lake Sammamish State Park.
In his free time, Bobkiewicz uses his knowledge to guide young government leaders from across the country with other local government professionals as a founder of Local Government 2030.
“I don’t water ski, I don’t hike, I don’t have an RV… helping in my profession is a hobby,” he said. “It’s something I really enjoy,”
The association focuses on “grand challenges” the country is facing and sets actionable initiatives for young government leaders to work on with the guidance of professionals, according to the Local Government 2030 website.
Through Local Government 2030 and other initiatives, Bobkiewicz hopes to support those early in their career and foster pride and excitement in the work they’re doing “because sometimes it’s hard and people get discouraged.”
”It’s been very rewarding for me as I’ve continued my career to share some of the knowledge that I’ve gained and, hopefully, continue to encourage people to serve their communities and local government.”
