Ground Floor Government

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Marie Balthrop, a city clerk in Texas, who shares her journey into local government, the unexpected challenges she faced, and the skills required for success in her role. Marie discusses the importance of community service, financial management, and effective communication in local government, as well as her proudest...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Shawn Campbell, the City Clerk of Auburn, who shares her inspiring journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a key figure in local government. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, the challenges faced in public service, and the impact of community projects. Shawn emphasizes the need for public trans...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Mark Massey, the Clerk of Council for Savannah, Georgia. They discuss Mark's unique journey into local government, the vital role of city clerks, the challenges faced in public service, and the skills necessary for success in this field. Mark shares insights on community impact, the importance of empathy, and the evo...

Summary In this conversation, Michael Bergman, the communication director for Green Bay, Wisconsin, shares his journey from a 26-year career in journalism to his current role in local government. He discusses the importance of effective communication within the city, his goals to inspire both residents and city employees, and the challenges he faces in this new position. Michael reflects on the pa...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Nicole Gwyn, the city clerk of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Nicole shares her journey into local government, the challenges she faced during the pandemic, and her role in community engagement through budget hearings. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration across departments and the skills necessary for success in...

Summary In this podcast episode, Shelby Abner discusses her journey into local government communications, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, navigating challenges, and balancing creativity with budget constraints. She shares insights on effective communication skills, social media management, and offers advice for aspiring local government communicators. Takeaways Shelby Abner tra...

Summary In this episode, Rosemarie Call shares her journey in local government, discussing the challenges and rewards of being a city clerk. She emphasizes the importance of communication, financial management, and technology in enhancing public access and engagement. Rosemarie also provides valuable advice for those interested in pursuing a career in local government, highlighting the diverse opp...

Summary In this conversation, Sam Toles discusses the critical role of communication in local government and civic engagement. He shares his unique career journey from Hollywood to local government, emphasizing the importance of social media in connecting with communities. Toles highlights the challenges local governments face in communication, particularly the negativity associated with platforms...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Rosa Acosta, the city clerk of South San Francisco. Rosa shares her 25-year journey in local government, emphasizing the importance of transparency and community engagement. She discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the transition to virtual meetings and enhancing public records acces...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews James McKechnie, the Deputy City Manager of Wichita Falls, Texas. They discuss James's unique career path in local government, the importance of strategic planning, and the challenges of navigating systems and finance in public service. James shares insights on the significance of people skills, ADA accessibility, an...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Tina Mastroianni, the City Clerk of Providence, who shares her inspiring journey from a crossing guard to a city clerk. Tina discusses the importance of community engagement, the challenges faced in local government, and the role of technology in improving public access to information. She emphasizes the significance...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert welcomes Julie Karins, the Deputy County Manager of Johnson County, Kansas. The conversation begins with Julie sharing her unexpected journey into local government, transitioning from a career in human resources within the hospitality industry to her current role. She reflects on the differences between corporate and public sec...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert welcomes Jessica Bailey, the Clerk of the Courts from Porter County, Indiana. Jessica shares her journey from the private sector to local government, highlighting her initial involvement in the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and her subsequent election to the school board. She discusses the significant transition she faced w...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert welcomes Valerie Lemmie, a seasoned expert in local government with over four decades of experience. Valerie shares her journey into local government, emphasizing her passion for ensuring equitable access to services and education for all citizens. She reflects on her family's history and the importance of quality education, wh...

Summary In this conversation, Tommy Gonzalez, the City Manager of Midland, Texas, shares his journey into city management, discussing the complexities and responsibilities of his role. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, community engagement, and effective budgeting. Tommy also recounts significant challenges he has faced, including navigating a firefighter pension fund issue, and...

Summary In this conversation, Nick Edwards, the city manager of Joplin, Missouri, shares his journey into local government, the challenges he faces, and the importance of community engagement. He discusses the impact of his military background on his leadership style and the significance of strategic planning in managing city resources. Nick emphasizes the need for collaboration among city departm...

Summary In this conversation, Hugh Plappert speaks with Hombre Darby, the Director of Communications and Outreach for Wheeling Township, Illinois. They discuss the importance of newsletters in community engagement, the challenges and rewards of working in local government, and the strategies for effective communication with diverse audiences. Hombre shares his journey into local government, highli...

Summary In this conversation, Harry Black shares his extensive experience in local government, highlighting the opportunities and challenges that come with the territory. He discusses his journey from a management trainee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to becoming a city manager, emphasizing the importance of resilience, financial planning, and making tough decisions. Black refle...

Summary In this conversation, Hana Schank discusses her journey in local government and the importance of public interest technology. She emphasizes the need for effective technology solutions that address community needs while navigating the challenges of procurement and project management. The discussion highlights the significance of people skills, ethical considerations, and future-proofing te...

Summary In this engaging interview, Eric Mosley shares his journey from a forest firefighter to a county manager, highlighting the diverse paths to local government leadership, key responsibilities, and the importance of community involvement. Key Topics Pathways to local government leadership Responsibilities of a county manager Community development projects Crisis management and problem-solving...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Donesia Gause , the first African-American city clerk of Riverside. Donesia shares her journey into local government, the role of a city clerk in advocating for democracy, and the importance of community engagement. She discusses significant projects like the redistricting process and the City Hall Insider initiative...

Summary In this conversation, Donald Duncan , the city manager of Asheboro, NC shares his journey into local government, discussing the importance of budgeting, the differences between city and county management, and the challenges faced in political environments. He emphasizes the need for effective leadership development and offers advice for those aspiring to enter local government, highlightin...

Summary In this conversation, Dean Huard shares his unique journey transitioning from a military career to local government. He discusses the importance of networking, the cultural aspects of local governance, and the challenges faced in city management. Dean emphasizes how his military experiences have shaped his approach to leadership and problem-solving in the public sector, highlighting the si...

Summary In this conversation, Andrew Ghobrial shares his journey into local government, detailing his experiences as a clerk of committees and the challenges he faced in election administration. He discusses the importance of transparency, public records, and the skills needed to succeed in local government roles. Andrew also highlights innovations in processes like dog licensing and the complexit...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Caitlan Biggs , the Assistant Town Manager and Secretary of Little Elm, Texas. Caitlan shares her unique journey into local government, discussing the various roles and responsibilities she holds, the challenges faced during her career, and the importance of community engagement. She emphasizes the need for collabora...