From a global career to a small-town mayor,

Michael F. Metcalf followed the leader . . .

How do you go from a career as a construction and engineering manager for an international gas and oil organization to becoming the mayor of a small northern California town? For Michael Metcalf, the idea felt natural. Mike grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts, where exposure to politics was part of life. Back then, a man named Tip O'Neill was on his way to becoming a political legend. Elected to the State House of Representatives at age 24, Tip later moved onto the national stage and, in 1977, became Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Through it all, he remained firmly connected to the people of Massachusetts and to one of his favorite sayings: "All Politics Is Local." And he became a positive, lifelong influence on Mike Metcalf.

Getting Things Done Where All Politics Is Local follows Mike's unexpected, often challenging journey to incorporate O'Neill's lessons and leadership skills into his own local political arena.

When Mike took an early retirement in 1999, his adopted hometown of Moraga, California, boasted a population of just over 16,000. The town needed help, although the people didn't realize it. So Mike volunteered in Moraga. He applied his professional skills to his community, which was much different than anything he had dealt with before, all the while retaining Tip O'Neill's creed as his guidepost. He accomplished a lot and endured some failures, and he learned a lot more about Gettings Things Done Where all Politics Is Local.