Ground Floor Government

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Dustin Sternbeck, the Chief Communication Officer of Denton, Texas. Dustin shares his unique journey into public service, driven by the events of 9/11 and his desire to make a positive impact in his community. He discusses the essential skills needed for success in local government, including problem-solving, critica...

Summary In this episode, Hugh Plappert interviews Jenna Martin, the Director of Public Relations for Shelbyville, Indiana. They discuss Jenna's unexpected journey into local government, the challenges and strategies of effective communication within the government, the importance of technology and ADA compliance, and the diverse opportunities available in local government careers. Jenna emphasizes...

Summary In this episode, Vickie Hathaway shares her journey into local government, discussing her educational background, the challenges she faces in communication and marketing, and the importance of stakeholder relationships. She emphasizes the creativity required to work within budget constraints and the diverse roles within local government. Vicky also highlights the differences between theore...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Angela Wilson, the Deputy Public Information Officer of Frederick, Colorado, shares her unique journey from managing events at a theme park to her current role in local government. She discusses the importance of effective communication, crisis management, and building trust within the community. Angela emphasizes the need for proactive communication strategi...

Summary In this episode, Lora-Marie Bernard shares her journey from journalism to becoming a public information officer in Lake Jackson, Texas. She discusses the importance of trusted sources in building community relationships and the challenges she faced on her first day in municipal government. Laura highlights the stability of city government careers compared to the private sector and emphasiz...

Summary In this 100th episode of the podcast, host Hugh Plappert interviews Melissa Harmer, the Communications Director for Raymore, Missouri. Melissa shares her unique journey from a career in photography to her role in local government, discussing the challenges and successes she has faced along the way. The conversation highlights the importance of communication in local government, the impact...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Mike Callagy, the County Executive of San Mateo, California. Mike shares his unique journey from being an undercover police officer to leading a county with a vast array of responsibilities. He discusses the challenges faced during the pandemic, the importance of empowering leadership within his team, and the impactf...

Summary In this episode, Ariana Briceno, Public Relations Coordinator for the Town of Davie, Florida, shares her journey into local government and the challenges and rewards of working in public relations. She discusses her transition from social media marketing to crisis communication during COVID-19, the importance of community engagement, and creative strategies for effective communication on a...

Summary In this conversation, Mikki Huntsman, City Clerk of Reno, Nevada, shares her journey in local government, highlighting her family's legacy in public service. She discusses the transition from the private sector to public service, the challenges faced in local government, and the importance of collaboration and accessibility. Mikki emphasizes the significance of budgeting and resource manag...

Summary In this conversation, Bryson Behm, the County Clerk of Cache County, Utah, shares his journey in local government, discussing the various career paths available, the role of a deputy clerk, and the challenges faced in navigating budgets and public service. He emphasizes the importance of communication, record-keeping, and the impact of local government on the community. Bryson also encoura...

Summary In this episode, Hugh Plappert interviews Leonardo Brown, County Administrator of Richland County, South Carolina, discussing the various aspects of working in local government. They explore career opportunities, the challenges faced during the pandemic, the importance of financial management, and the need for collaboration across departments. Brown emphasizes the significance of community...

Summary In this conversation, Hugh Plappert speaks with Austin Simko, a deputy town manager and town clerk in Andover, Massachusetts. They discuss Austin's unconventional journey into local government, the dual roles he plays, the challenges and rewards of working in this field, and the importance of community engagement. Austin shares insights on budgeting, consensus building, and the impact of u...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Colleen Roberts, the Public Information Officer and Brand Manager for New Bern, North Carolina. Colleen shares her journey into local government, the challenges she faces in public communication, and the innovative strategies she employs to engage the community. She discusses the importance of ADA accessibility in co...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert speaks with Chuck Winn, the City Manager of Bozeman, Montana. Chuck shares his journey from aspiring police officer to fire chief and eventually city manager, emphasizing the importance of community service and the unexpected paths that can lead to fulfilling careers in local government. The conversation explores the challenges...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Jeff Fiegenschuh, the City Administrator of Washington, Illinois. They discuss Jeff's journey into local government, the dynamics of working in smaller communities, and the challenges faced during unexpected events like COVID-19. Jeff shares insights on the importance of budgeting as a policy tool, the impact of comm...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Kara Roberson, the Strategic Communication Officer in Wentzville, Missouri. They discuss Kara's journey into local government, her career growth, and the evolution of communication strategies within local government. Kara shares insights on the challenges of reactive communication, innovative projects that engage the...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Lisa Goodwin, the City Clerk of Bangor, Maine. They discuss Lisa's journey in local government, the challenges faced during the 2024 election, and the positive impact of community projects. Lisa shares insights on budgeting, resource management, and the essential people skills required in local government. The conver...

Summary In this conversation, Frederick Tobar shares his journey in local government, highlighting the diverse opportunities available and the importance of adaptability and people skills. He discusses his various roles, the challenges faced, and the positive impact of local projects on the community. Frederick emphasizes the value of a helpful attitude and the significance of understanding the co...

Summary In this episode, Hugh Plappert interviews Rick Dave, an IT technician in local government, exploring his journey from a music background to a career in local government technology. Rick shares insights on the impact of local government on communities, the importance of technology and people skills, and how he navigates challenges in his role. He emphasizes the need for continuous learning...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Melissa Agard, County Executive of Dane County, Wisconsin. They discuss Melissa's journey from being a recipient of local government services to leading the county. The conversation covers the breadth of county government services, the importance of crisis management, and the successes achieved in the community. Meli...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Steuart Pittman, the elected County Executive of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Pittman shares his journey from community advocacy to local government leadership, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights significant projects, such as the Crownsville Hos...

Summary In this episode, Hugh Plappert interviews Addie Balester, the Clerk of the Council for Cleveland Heights, Ohio. They discuss Addie's journey into local government, the challenges she faced, the importance of finance in council actions, and the need for transparency and accessibility in government processes. Addie shares insights on cross-department collaboration, opportunities for aspiring...

Summary In this episode, Harold Collins shares his journey from aspiring to join the Secret Service to becoming the Chief Administrative Officer of Shelby County, Tennessee. He discusses his early experiences in local government, the challenges he faces in administration, and the significant projects aimed at improving community health and education. Collins emphasizes the importance of public ser...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, Ricky Hatch, the clerk auditor of Weber County, shares his journey from the corporate world to local government. He discusses the misconceptions about government jobs, the challenges and rewards of public service, and the importance of transparency and teamwork in government operations. Ricky highlights impactful legislation he worked on, the sig...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Melissa Coyne, the City Clerk of Lake Worth Beach, Florida. Melissa shares her inspiring journey from minimum wage jobs to a fulfilling career in local government. She discusses the importance of persistence in job applications, the opportunities for career growth within local government, and the value of education a...