Management Honor Won by Official

The second theme park planned by Walt Disney Co. is not only a milestone for the city, it has helped win an honor for the city’s top administrator.

“We’ve forged a partnership with Disney that’s not going to only have benefits to Anaheim, but to the county, into the far future,” said City Manager James D. Ruth.

For the Disney project and other accomplishments, Ruth will be honored Thursday by the Society for Advancement of Management, Orange Coast chapter, as Orange County’s 1997 Manager of the Year.

Another highlight of Ruth’s career is the Pond of Anaheim, built despite legal and land-acquisition problems.

Ruth will receive his award at a dinner at the Hyatt Newporter in Newport Beach.

Cliff Doubek, director of the chapter honoring Ruth, said he was selected because “he’s an outstanding manager. He’s headed up top projects and he serves as a leader to the staff and the city.”

In his seven years as city manager, Ruth has also led the way to expansion of Anaheim Convention Center, to major upgrades in the city’s tourism area and to neighborhood improvements. He has pushed to build Sportstown Anaheim, a sports and entertainment complex next to Anaheim Stadium, and to renovate the stadium itself.

Ruth, 60, has spent more than 40 years in city government--18 years with Anaheim alone--and has bounced back from multiple-bypass heart surgery last August.

To be recognized with the management award at this stage in his career, Ruth said is “a great honor.”

“I think it’s very special and certainly I owe a great deal of gratitude to those who supported me over the years: city staff, the council and the community,” he said.

Tickets to the dinner cost $40 and may be purchased at the door or by calling Doubek at (714) 637-3236.