Jeremy Howard | Advocacy Committee Chair
The Advocacy Committee is excited to continue building on the strong foundation that has been laid over the past several years. Thanks to the thoughtful leadership of prior chairs and committee members, we have made meaningful progress in strengthening our profession’s voice and visibility across Michigan.
One of our primary areas of focus remains the development and refinement of online advocacy resources for city managers. These tools are designed to help members confidently communicate the value of the council-manager form of government, articulate the role of professional management in local government, and respond effectively when questions arise about our profession. Our hope is to continue updating and expanding these resources to ensure they remain practical, relevant, and easy to use.
In addition, the committee is committed to continuing to grow our social media presence. A consistent and strategic online presence helps elevate awareness of the local government management profession, highlight the great work happening in our communities, and connect with future leaders. We encourage members to engage with, share, and amplify MME content to further strengthen our collective voice.
We are also looking forward to engaging directly with local government leaders at two spring conferences:
- The Michigan Municipal League Capital Conference in Lansing, March 10–11, 2026
- The Michigan Township Association Conference, April 20–23, 2026, at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme Township
The Advocacy Committee will be staffing expo booths at both events. These conferences provide valuable opportunities to connect with elected officials, administrators, and local government partners to share information about MME and the important role professional managers play in advancing effective, ethical, and responsive municipal government.
As always, advocacy starts locally. Whether it is mentoring an emerging leader, sharing a success story from your community, or helping clarify the role of professional management, each of us plays a part in strengthening our profession.
We look forward to continuing this important work and welcome your ideas, engagement, and support in the months ahead.
Jeremy Howard
Chair, Advocacy Committee
City Manager, Clare
Jeremy Howard has served as city manager for the City of Clare since August 2020. As chief administrative officer, he oversees daily municipal operations, leads city staff, and works closely with the five-member City Commission to implement policy priorities and strengthen the community’s economic vitality and quality of life. He also serves as the City’s planning and zoning administrator and economic development director. Jeremy is actively involved in several local and regional boards and committees and is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and Michigan Municipal Executives (MME). Prior to joining the City of Clare, Jeremy spent more than 20 years with the City of Mt. Pleasant, serving in leadership roles including city clerk, IT director, and communications director. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Central Michigan University. Jeremy and his wife, Nichole, have been married for over 31 years and have three adult sons.