Douglas J. Watson is the city manager of the City of Auburn, Alabama, and a visiting professor at Auburn University. He has served as Auburn city manager since 1982 and holds a master of public administration from the University of Georgia and a doctorate from Auburn. He is the author or editor of five books and over thirty journal articles. Dr. Watson serves on the editorial boards of four journals, including the Public Administration Review and State and Local Government Review. He is the recipient of a number of honors for his work, including the National Public Service Award from the American Society for Public Administration and the L.P. Cookingham Award for Career Development and the Orin F. Nolting International Award from the International City/County Management Association.

Wendy L. Hassett has ten years of experience in local government management, currently as the assistant city manager of the City of Auburn, Alabama. She holds a master of public administration degree and a doctorate in public administration and public policy from Auburn University. She is co-author of articles in Public Administration Review, Public Works Management and Policy, and Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management. She has written a chapter in the forthcoming book, Gender and Work in Comparative Perspective and co-written a chapter in Innovative Governments: Creative Approaches to Local Problems.