OUR FOUNDER


Paul A. Reaume
(1932 - 2003)

When Paul A. Reaume founded The PAR Group in 1972, he was already a pioneer in the development and provision of executive search services for local governments and recognized as a leading public management consultant by elected and appointed officials in local government across America.

Mr. Reaume’s interest in public service began at the University of Kansas, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration. His professional background and career activities included service as a Naval Officer, Federal Agent, City Manager, Corporate Vice President, and Entrepreneur. In addition to heading his own firm, Mr. Reaume was a Vice President and Partner in a leading private-sector international executive search firm. He also served as a corporate officer in a prestigious publishing firm serving the Chicago legal community. At that firm, he established an urban affairs consulting division and served as editor of “Current Municipal Problems,” a national quarterly publication.

His professional involvement in government, business and related fields spanned over thirty years. He was an active corporate member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for over 35 years, and served on several of the organization’s tax forces, including the Task Force on Professional Development which led to establishment of the ICMA University and as a member of an ICMA Foundation Task Force which established the ICMA Fund for Professional Development. He received the Distinguished Service Award from ICMA in 2001.

Mr. Reaume was active in numerous public interest organizations over the years. He served on numerous committees and task forces addressing issues in public management and municipal services, including solid waste disposal, urban transportation alternatives, preservation of the environment and open space, and municipal policy strategies. He was a supporting member of National Association of County Administrators (NACA), the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) and ICMA’s Hispanic Network. He was also active with the Kansas University City Management Training Program, and served as an advisor in the establishment of training and curriculum recommendations for public management programs at Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, and Lake Forest College in the Chicago area. He has been long recognized for his successful efforts in mentoring city management and public management consultant aspirants and for strong advocacy of effective, responsive, and responsible local government.

Paul A. Reaume’s knowledge and commitment to excellence in public service earned The PAR Group the recognition, respect and trust of local government officials across the nation and we continue to maintain his standards of excellence to this day. Mr. Reaume passed away on July 29th, 2003 and he is greatly missed by all who knew him.