By Ellen H. King
July 26, 2004

At the recent Conference of Mayors 72nd Annual Meeting in Boston, Macon (GA) Mayor C. Jack Ellis stood with Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel Stacey Mobley and Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran as past Conference President Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner announced Ellis's appointment as the Chair of the USCM/DuPont partnership Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP).

A recipient of both the CUSP Science in the School Day program and the USCM/DuPont Spotlight on Excellence Awards, Ellis was delighted to accept his role as chair. During the meeting, Ellis introduced Mobley and updated mayors on the progress of the partnership.

"The response to the partnership has been overwhelming. With over 300 applications received for various grant competitions, 30 cities visited with events and $2.25 million awarded, mayors have benefited considerably without even having to lift a finger. Now, that's what I call a good partnership," noted Ellis.

In his new leadership role, Ellis will continue to lead CUSP in its successful ventures through its Science and the School Day and USCM-DuPont Spotlight on Excellence Awards lead-safety grant program. Ellis plans to host yet another Science in the School Day event in Macon later this Fall.

CUSP, a partnership of the Conference and DuPont, visits cities across the country and teams up with mayors to assist them in creating healthier, safer and more innovative and economically vibrant cities through science-based solutions. To learn how to bring the CUSP partnership to your city, please contact CUSP Managing Director Ellen H. King at USCM Headquarters by phone at 202-861-6798 or by e-mail at eking@usmayors.org.