Perspectives on City Management

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 ProsperMario Canizares, Town Manager, Town of ProsperRyan Henderson, City Manager, City of AnnaDon 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 BranchJames Hartshorn, Deputy City Manager, City of PflugervillePEER MENTORSHIP RESOURCES:TCMA Senior Advisor ProgramICMA 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 CoppellDavid 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 on their cities have been successful with  pet therapy and mental healthcare in the workplace.GUESTS:Danny Zincke, Assistant City Manager, City of BoerneFaith Morse, Chief of Staff, City of MansfieldRESOURCES:Therapy Dogs InternationalAlliance of Therapy DogsTo 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 CommitteeBill Longley, General Council, Texas Municipal LeagueMonty Wynn, Director of Grassroots and Legislative Services, Texas Municipal LeagueADDITIONAL INFORMATION: TCMA Advocacy CommitteeTML 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 MoundSteve 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. GUESTSCliff Keheley, City Manager, City of MesquiteDavid Morgan, City Manager, City of GeorgetownLEARN MOREProperty 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 AnnaShanna 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 VillageCesar Garcia, City Manager, City of La MarqueRESOURCES:https://www.tml.org/201/Grantshttps://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 CommitteeJoey Dunn, Deputy City Manager, City of Bryan and TCMA Manager in Partnership for Texas A&M UniversityBrian Nakamura, Former City Manager and Assistant Professor, Texas A&M UniversityTeagan 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 MemberLauren 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.

In a two-part series, 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.

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 ChairJennifer May, Deputy City Manager, Sugar Land | Ethics Committee Vice ChairLearn 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 KilgoreTerrell 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 ParkMayra 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. GUESTSPaulette Hartman, Deputy City Manager, North Richland HillsMichael Hartman (spouse to Paulette)Danny Zincke, Assistant City Manager, BoerneLacey 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.GUESTSCliff Keheley, City Manager, City of MesquiteA. C. Gonzalez, TCMA Life Member and Senior AdvisorGreg 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 CoppellVicki Chiavetta, Coppell Deputy City Manager, City of Coppell LEARN MORE:City of Coppell Allies in Community Program: https://www.coppelltx.gov/542/Allies-in-CommunityYouth 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 BoerneChris Shadrock, Communications Director, City of BoernePiper 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 RockImelda Speck, Senior Housing and Development Manager, City of IrvingStacey Ybarra, Assistant Village Administrator, Village of SaladoLearn 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 Bastropand Kim Pendergraft, Affiliate Association Manager, Texas Municipal LeagueTCMA 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 HurstScott Swigert, Interim City Manager in Mont BelvieuSteve 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 FairviewJeff Jenkins, Deputy City Manager,  City of TaylorTed 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. GUESTSKaren Daly, TCMA Life Member, ICMA Mountain Plains Regional Director, and Texas Women Leading Government Executive DirectorPaulette Hartman, Deputy City Manager, City of North Richland Hills, TCMA Past President Lauren Middleton-Pratt, Assistant City Manager, City of BudaICMA 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 JohnsonCity Manager, City of RichardsonMore information:https://www.tcma.orghttps://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 JohnsonCity Manager, City of RichardsonMore information:https://www.tcma.orghttps://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 10Learn 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 CommitteeMatt 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 BrownsvilleDebbie 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 KyleCrayton Brubaker, TCMA Student Member

In this episode, we chat with  members of the TCMA Advocacy Committee to discuss their efforts to advocate for the association and the city management profession.GUESTS: Ed Broussard, City Manager, City of Tyler, TexasHugh Walker, Deputy City Manager, City of Bryan, TexasJoe Pace, City Manager, City of Lorena, Texas