The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), the world's largest professional association dedicated to the training and development field, announced that it has formally acquired and affiliated with The Bureaucrat, Inc. (TBI). Founded in 1972, TBI is a not for profit organization that publishes The Public Manager, a quarterly journal for managers in the public sector, hosts an interactive website, and holds a variety of public discussion programs and conferences for public sector professionals.

Since 2004, the Logistics Management Institute (LMI) has been affiliated with TBI and supported the growth of The Public Manager and its public discussions and events. The three organizations - ASTD, LMI, and TBI - are working collaboratively and positively on the affiliation change.

"The ASTD-TBI affiliation provides great opportunities for both organizations to partner and better serve the needs of managers at all levels of government," says Tony Bingham, ASTD President and CEO. "With a shared vision and complementary missions, ASTD and TBI will work collaboratively to increase content, networking, and professional development opportunities for public sector professionals."

The effective date of the transaction was July 20 at which time LMI transferred its affiliation interests in TBI to ASTD. TBI will continue its business operations as a separate 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with ASTD. Carrie Blustin, publisher of The Public Manager, continues in her role, and TBI corporate officers, members of the Board of Directors, and members of the Board of Editors also remain in place.

"The TBI Board of Directors is pleased to partner with ASTD and excited about the opportunity to leverage each organization's strengths for mutual benefit," notes Alan Balutis, Chair of the Board of Directors for TBI.

"LMI is proud to have contributed to the growth of this terrific and important journal over the past several years, including boosting circulation over 1,100%, revising the journal layout, launching an annual conference, and deploying a robust and useful website," says Manik K. Rath, LMI's Chief Legal Officer. "We look forward to continuing to be a part of The Public Manager's success, even after transitioning the investment to ASTD."

The summer issue of The Public Manager includes articles covering ethical government, innovating for the future, leveraging networks and social software, performance-based pay, and more. Plans are underway for the second conference co-hosted by The Public Manager and the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) to take place November 2-3 in Washington, D.C. The theme of this year's event will be "Strengthening Trust in Government." More information will be available in August at www.thepublicmanager.org.