This week, Terrell Blodgett, a giant in the world of public administration, is celebrating his 102^nd birthday. He was born on September 15, 1923.

As Terrell is a mentor and friend of ours -- and a critical contributor to the world of performance management -- we wanted to give readers a bit of his history.

Here are a few highlights taken from his biography at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas, Austin. 

·        He was administrative assistant to Gov. John Connally (December 1964–January 1969), serving as the first director of the Texas Office of Economic Opportunity.

·        He was city manager of Garland (1963–64) and Waco (1960–63) and assistant city manager of Austin (1955–60).

·        A member of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), he is past chairman of the National Civic League and the International City Management Association Foundation.

·        He served 13 years as the LBJ School's first Mike Hogg Professor in Urban Management.

We also wanted to share some comments from a few of Terrell’s many admirers.

Matt Hampton, Manager of Communications of NAPA had this to say about him: "One of the Academy's longest-tenured Fellows, Terrell Blodgett has dedicated his life to the betterment of municipal management, and the improvement of civic life everywhere - from small towns to big cities. Terrell exemplifies what the Academy strives to help create: a leader for his neighbors and a resource to people around the country. Everyone at the Academy wishes him a Happy 102nd Birthday."

John Kamensky, a leader in the world of government himself, and “Emeritus Senior Fellow, IBM Center for The Business of Government “ added that, “Terrell Blodgett has not only seen a lot of America’s history over the past 102 years, he was part of it by improving how government works at the local and state levels. He inspired me more than 50 years ago when he was a national advocate for modernizing state constitutions and municipal charters.

“He subsequently helped pioneer the use of performance measurements in localities and states, and taught aspiring public servants at the Lyndon Johnson School of Public Affairs. Terrell Blodgett’s career reflects a significant, multi-decade commitment to improving local and state governance — through hands-on management, scholarly insight, institutional advocacy, and mentorship.”

And Jay Fountain, an old dear friend of Terrell’s who worked together closely in the days when performance management was relatively novel notion in many cities and states, told use that, “I have been fortunate to know many outstanding experts in my life. Among them and one of the most outstanding is Terrell Blodgett and it is not because of his long life.

“Terrell is a dedicated supporter of professional city management, a highly thought of professor at the LBJ School of the University of Texas, and a wonderful professional writer with many books to his credit. He is rightfully proud of his outstanding book “City Government That Works: The History of Council Manager Government in Texas”. He is even prouder of his tennis ability and was very pleased some 20 years ago when he finally won the State of Texas singles championship-for those 80 and over.”

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