Perspectives on City Management: Recent Episodes
Texas City Management Association (TCMA)
The Texas City Management Association (TCMA) presents Perspectives on City Management, a podcast about the people who work hard every day to keep Texas cities running smoothly. In each episode we sit down with city managers and other municipal public servants to discuss the business of local government, and the professionals who make it work. Show topics include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; City Management; Economic Development; Quality of Life; Next Generation of Leaders; and TCMA initiatives that benefit local leaders. Perspectives on Local Government is brought to you TCMA. The show is hosted, recorded, and produced by TCMA Social Media Coordinator Stacey Ford Osborne.
Much of TCMA's rich history centers around its emphasis on the Code of Ethics. TCMA Ethics Committee Chair, Matt Mueller, and Life Member Nick Finan share how the TCMA's Code of Ethics has played an important part in the culture and ethos of the Association.
GUESTS:
Nick Finan, Life Member, TCMA
Matt Mueller, Ethics Committee Chair and Town Manager, Town of Little Elm
As TCMA begins its 100-Year Celebration Series, key professionals will share how the association has impacted the profession and left a lasting heritage. In the first of the series, Dan Johnson, former city manager, TCMA past president, and distinguished member will share the history of TCMA and why the council-manager form of government works.
GUEST:
Dan Johnson, TCMA Distinguished Member
In the conclusion of a two-part series, we'll learn about the importance of community engagement and talk with three city managers and an elected official about how and why to have meaningful conversations with your community.
GUESTS:
David Bristol, Mayor, Town of Prosper
Mario Canizares, Town Manager, Town of Prosper
Ryan Henderson, City Manager, City of Anna
Don Magner, City Manager, City of Richardson
In part one of a two-part series, we'll learn about the importance of community engagement, talk with three city managers and an elected official about how and why to have meaningful conversations with your community.
GUESTS:
David Bristol, Mayor, Town of Prosper
Mario Canizares, Town Manager, Town of Prosper
Ryan Henderson, City Manager, City of Anna
Don Magner, City Manager, City of Richardson
In this episode we talk about the effectiveness and importance of peer mentorship.
GUESTS:
Ben Williamson, City Manager, Farmer’s Branch
James Hartshorn, Deputy City Manager, City of Pflugerville
PEER MENTORSHIP RESOURCES:
TCMA Senior Advisor Program
ICMA Career Compass
Municipalities are not immune to cyber attacks. So what do cities do when one occurs and how do they move forward to ensure that it doesn’t happen again? On this episode we talk with leaders in two cities who have been victims of a cyberattack and how they recovered.
GUESTS:
Mike Land, City Manager, City of Coppell
David Esquivel, City Manager, City of Tomball
Jessica Rogers, Assistant City Manager, City of Tomball
On this episode of Perspectives we talk with two city managers about how technology is reshaping the way local government agencies operate.
GUESTS:
Rick Davis, Assistant City Manager, City of League City
David Amsler, Director of Strategic Operations, City of Hutto
On this episode we talk with two experts who have been successful with pet therapy and mental healthcare in the workplace.
GUESTS:
Danny Zincke, Assistant City Manager, City of Boerne
Faith Morse, Chief of Staff, City of Mansfield
RESOURCES:
Therapy Dogs International
Alliance of Therapy Dogs
To be connected to one of our guests, send an email to our Social Media Coordinator at tcmadigital@gmail.com.
In this episode, we talk with experts from the Texas Municipal League (TML) and the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) about what they'll be watching for in the 89th session of the Texas Legislature that begins on January 14.
GUESTS:
- Mark Israelson, City Manager, City of Plano, and Chair of the TCMA Advocacy Committee
- Thomas Hunter, Assistant City Manager, City of Pflugerville, and Vice Chair of the TCMA Advocacy Committee
- Bill Longley, General Council, Texas Municipal League
- Monty Wynn, Director of Grassroots and Legislative Services, Texas Municipal League
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TCMA Advocacy Committee
TML Legislative Information
On this episode of Perspective, our guests will share why community engagement matters, who needs to be engaged, and strategies they have found to be successful.
GUESTS:
James Childers, Town Manager, Town of Flower Mound
Steve Williams, City Manager, City of Schertz
In this episode we discuss the implications of the 2019 Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act. Learn how their cities have effectively worked through the legislation to benefit their citizens.
GUESTS
Cliff Keheley, City Manager, City of Mesquite
David Morgan, City Manager, City of Georgetown
LEARN MORE
Property Tax Process Post-Senate Bill 2 (2019) - Explanatory Q&A
Time management and keeping a balanced life is challenging. This episode will provide practical advice and encouragement for new and well-seasoned city management professionals.
GUESTS:
Taylor Lough, Assistant City Manager, City of Anna
Shanna Sims-Bradish, Assistant City Manager, University Park
Generating revenue from traditional sources has become more difficult and cities are turning to alternative ways to fund major infrastructure projects. Grants are a fantastic way to help cities fund these projects, but they often come with strings attached, and those can be a bit tricky. In this episode we talk with two well-seasoned grant recipients to walk us through the process and share their insights.
GUESTS:
Austin Bleess, City Manager, City of Jersey Village
Cesar Garcia, City Manager, City of La Marque
RESOURCES:
https://www.tml.org/201/Grants
https://www.tcma.org/
Finding and keeping talent in municipal government can be a challenge and with cities being unique workplaces, it’s important for city management to be flexible and creative with human resource management. In Season 2, Episode 7, our guests share innovative ways to hire and keep municipal employees.
GUESTS:
Gina Nash, City Manager, City of Sachse
LaShon Ross, Deputy City Manager, City of Plano
To help recruit and prepare a new generation of city managers, TCMA’s City Managers of Tomorrow Committee partners with university programs to tap those interested in a career in the city management profession. This episode will highlight how the how the TCMA Managers in Partnership Program is having a positive impact.
GUESTS:
Corby Alexander, City Manager, City of La Porte and Chair of the City Managers of Tomorrow Committee
Joey Dunn, Deputy City Manager, City of Bryan and TCMA Manager in Partnership for Texas A&M University
Brian Nakamura, Former City Manager and Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University
Teagan Trammell, Student, Texas A&M University, Intern, City of Bryan.
Learn more about the City Managers of Tomorrow Committee on our website.
In 2022, 51 practitioners under the age of 40 came together to discuss how to advance the future of local government. The convening was modeled after the Minnowbrook conferences, which started in 1968 and continued in 1988 and 2018 to reimagine the field of public administration. In this episode, Lauren Rose and Derrick Stanford share their experiences as delegates at the convening. In addition, Mike Land shares his participation in organizing the event and the importance encouraging young professionals to be a part of the conversation.
Guests:
- Mike Land, City Manager, City of Coppell, Organizing Committee Member
- Lauren Rose, Assistant City Manager for the City of Sachse and General Administration Delegate
- Derrick Stanford, Corporal, City of Coppell and Public Safety Delegate
To learn more about Local Government 2030 and to read about the initiatives, visit the Local Gov 2030 website.
In Part 2 of of the episode Perspectives on a Tragedy, Vince DiPiazza, Uvalde City Manager and the 2023 TCMA Administrator of the Year, shares his experience during the mass shooting in Uvalde on May 24, 2022, and his management of the crisis.
The first of two episodes featuring Uvalde, Texas City Manager Vince DiPiazza and the 2023 TCMA Administrator of the Year. Vince shares his experience being in the city manager’s seat during the horrific school shooting on May 24, 2022, and his management of the crisis.
A commitment to ethics is the cornerstone of the Texas City Management Association. In this episode we’ll talk with the chair and vice-chair of the TCMA Ethics Committee about how ethics shapes city management.
GUESTS:
Matt Mueller, Town Manager, Little Elm | Ethics Committee Chair
Jennifer May, Deputy City Manager, Sugar Land | Ethics Committee Vice Chair
Learn more: https://www.tcma.org/190/Ethics-Committee
In this first episode of Season 2, we talk about the challenges and opportunities that come with moving from an urban city or town to a more rural community with two TCMA members who have made the move.
GUESTS:
Josh Selleck, City Manager, City of Kilgore
Terrell Smith, City Manager, City of Marshall
On this episode of Perspectives we talk with two emerging leaders who bring value to their respective cities by virtue of their unique experiences outside of city management.
GUESTS:
Sara Robinson, Assistant City Manager, City of Deer Park
Mayra Cantu, Strategic Support Manager, City of Georgetown
In this episode we talk with two local government leaders and their spouses about their perspective on work life balance in the real world.
GUESTS
Paulette Hartman, Deputy City Manager, North Richland Hills
Michael Hartman (spouse to Paulette)
Danny Zincke, Assistant City Manager, Boerne
Lacey Dingman (spouse to Danny Zincke and Director of Parks and Recreation, Marble Falls)
Learn how TCMA is helping members with mental wellness and those who were instrumental in creating TCMA’s mental wellness program.
GUESTS
Cliff Keheley, City Manager, City of Mesquite
A. C. Gonzalez, TCMA Life Member and Senior Advisor
Greg Smith, TCMA Life Member
Learn more about TCMA’s mental wellness program.
Learn how to prepare your city staff, residents, and elected officials for changing demographics. The City of Coppell recently implemented a successful program in their community that embraces diversity and encourages residents to do the same.
GUESTS:
Mike Land, City Manager, City of Coppell
Vicki Chiavetta, Coppell Deputy City Manager, City of Coppell
LEARN MORE:
City of Coppell Allies in Community Program: https://www.coppelltx.gov/542/Allies-in-Community
Youth Engagement Program: https://www.coppelltx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=924
Public schools are an important part of a municipality and many city managers work closely with their local school districts to ensure local students have the resources they need to succeed. The City of Boerne recently partnered with their local school district and the partnership has worked both ways.
GUESTS:
Ben Thatcher, City Manager, City of Boerne
Chris Shadrock, Communications Director, City of Boerne
Piper Adamson, Communications Intern, City of Boerne
City management internships can be beneficial for both the intern and the city. Our guests on Episode 15 share how their experiences as interns helped them be better leaders of their municipalities.
GUESTS:
Brooks Bennett, Assistant City Manager, City of Round Rock
Imelda Speck, Senior Housing and Development Manager, City of Irving
Stacey Ybarra, Assistant Village Administrator, Village of Salado
Learn more about internships in municipalities on the TCMA website.
The 2022 TCMA Annual Conference, "Seeing the Forest for the Trees," will be June 9 – 12 at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Bastrop. Our guests on Episode 14 tell us what we can expect.
GUESTS:
James Stokes, TCMA President-Elect and City Manager, City of Deer Park
Paul Hofmann, City Manager, City of Bastrop
and Kim Pendergraft, Affiliate Association Manager, Texas Municipal League
TCMA members can learn about the conference and register online at the TCMA website.
There are many paths to becoming a city manager. Some people follow the traditional path with a masters in public administration while others follow a less traditional path. On this episode, we talk with three TCMA members who followed their own path and the interesting twists and turns on their journey and how city management has become their passion.
GUESTS:
Clay Caruthers, City Manager in Hurst
Scott Swigert, Interim City Manager in Mont Belvieu
Steve Williams, City Manager in Carthage
Being a city manager is a unique job that comes with a whole set of interesting challenges that change on a daily basis. In this episode we talk with three TCMA members who share their stories about what can happen in the day in a life of a City Manager.
GUESTS:
Julie Couch, Town Manager, Town of Fairview
Jeff Jenkins, Deputy City Manager, City of Taylor
Ted Benavides, Associate Professor of Practice, University of Texas at Dallas and retired city manager, City of Dallas
In this episode we talk with two city managers who met under interesting circumstances at a TCMA conference and have supported each other in the profession over many years of friendship. Their story was featured in the July, 2021 issue of TCMA's Management Messenger newsletter.
GUESTS:
Mike Goodrum, City Manager, Sugar Land
Gabe Reaume, City Manager, Saginaw
We talk with three women who are leading local governments in Texas.
GUESTS
Karen Daly, TCMA Life Member, ICMA Mountain Plains Regional Director, and Texas Women Leading Government Executive Director
Paulette Hartman, Deputy City Manager, City of North Richland Hills, TCMA Past President
Lauren Middleton-Pratt, Assistant City Manager, City of Buda
ICMA Study on Women in City Government: https://icma.org/data-icma-women-profession
A legend in the Texas city management profession, Terrell Blodgett is one of five individuals who have been honored as a TCMA distinguished member in its nearly 100 year history as an association. He was also selected as a TCMA Legacy Leader in 2010. His interview can be seen:https://vimeo.com/134729357. Mr. Blodgett was recently honored by the City of Austin for his lifetime commitment to public service and advancing the city management profession.
GUEST:
Terrell Blodgett
The topic of Episode 8 is “Managing When Life Happens.” We talk about how to manage a demanding job when life is happening around you.
Guest:
Julie Robinson, City Administrator in Spring Valley Village
On this episode we conclude our conversation about the history of the City Management profession in Texas. You can listen to the first part of our conversation in Episode 6.
Guest:
Dan Johnson
City Manager, City of Richardson
More information:
https://www.tcma.org
https://www.professionallymanagedtxcities.org
On this episode we’ll have the first part of a conversation about the history of the City Management profession in Texas. Part 2 will be aired in a future episode.
Guest:
Dan Johnson
City Manager, City of Richardson
More information:
https://www.tcma.org
https://www.professionallymanagedtxcities.org
In this episode, we talk with two of the advisors who make up the ICMA/TCMA Senior Advisor Program. The Program, formerly known as Range Riders, is a partnership program between TCMA and the International City Management Association (ICMA) to make the counsel, experience, and support of respected, retired managers of the profession available to individual members. The program is designed to help with personal and professional issues, but does not provide any form of technical assistance nor to solve substantive problems in a local government.
GUESTS:
AC Gonzalez, Jr., Senior Advisor, Regions 4, 7, and 8
Bob Livingston, Senior Advisor, Regions 3, 4, and 10
Learn more about the Senior Advisors Program on our website.
On this episode we discuss the importance of ethics in City Management.
GUESTS:
Paul Hofmann, City Manager, City of Bastrop and Chair of the TCMA Ethics Committee
Matt Mueller, Town Manager, Little Elm and Vice-Chair of the Ethics Committee
Nick Finan, Life Member of TCMA and the recipient of the very first TCMA Excellence in Ethics and Integrity Award.
In this episode, we chat with some some TCMA members who came up with the concept of this podcast, the TCMA Allies Task Force, about their efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Association and the city management profession.
GUESTS:
Noel Bernal, City Manager, City of Brownsville
Debbie Maynor, Founder, HR & Management Solutions
In this episode we visit with members of the TCMA City Managers of Tomorrow Committee to discuss their efforts to develop a sustainable program to encourage and assist members who identify as emerging leaders.
GUESTS:
Austin Bleess, City Manager, Jersey Village
James Earp, Assistant City Manager, City of Kyle
Crayton Brubaker, TCMA Student Member