Wayne Parker

About Wayne Parker

For more than four decades, I have worked alongside elected officials, city and county executives, and leadership teams to help local governments serve their communities effectively. I recently joined GMP Consultants as a Senior Consultant, where I work with cities and counties across the country on executive recruitment, leadership development, governance retreats, and organizational effectiveness. Before joining GMP, I served with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) supporting local government leaders nationwide. Throughout my career I have also served as a city manager, budget director, finance director, and governance advisor, working closely with elected officials and professional staff to strengthen leadership and improve outcomes for communities. Over the years I have seen firsthand that communities succeed when leadership is strong and governing relationships work well. My work focuses on helping local governments: • Recruit outstanding city and county executives • Build effective governing body and management teams • Strengthen leadership capacity through training and coaching • Facilitate retreats that align leaders around shared priorities • Navigate complex governance and organizational challenges Local government is where public service meets everyday life. Supporting the leaders who do this work is both a professional privilege and a personal passion. I am also currently writing a book on effective public leadership drawing lessons from successful mayors and community leaders across the country.

Experience

1. Senior Consultant

   Gmp Consultants

   Mar 2026 — Present

   I work with cities and counties nationwide to support leadership recruitment, governance effectiveness, and organizational development.Key areas of work include:• Executive recruitment for city and county leadership positions• Leadership training for elected officials and senior management teams• Facilitating governing body and leadership retreats• Executive coaching for public sector leaders• Organizational and governance consulting for local governments

Education

• Brigham Young University

  Master, Public Administration

  1977 — 1981

Skills

• Fundraising
• Social Media
• Administration
• Budgets
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Legislative Relations
• Organizational Development
• Zoning
• Editing
• Policy Analysis
• Speech Writing
• Event Planning
• Public Speaking
• Non-Profits
• Economic Development
• Public Administration
• Proposal Writing
• Administrative Work
• Strategic Communications
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Policy
• Grants
• Workshop Facilitation
• Blogging
• Local Government
• Research
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Spanish
• Politics
• Strategy
• Public Policy
• Conflict Resolution
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Program Evaluation