Ground Floor Government

Summary In this episode, Anthony Mejia shares his journey in local government, highlighting the various opportunities available for individuals, especially at-risk youth. He discusses his experiences, challenges faced, and the importance of mentorship in developing future leaders in the field. The conversation also covers the significance of budgeting, community engagement, and the skills necessar...

Summary In this episode, Blaine Oborn shares his extensive experience in local government, discussing his journey from finance to city administration. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, the challenges faced in local government, and the passion required to make a difference in communities. Blaine also provides valuable advice for those looking to start a career in local government, high...

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Angela Allen, the city treasurer of Inglewood, California. Angela shares her unique journey from education to local government, discussing the challenges she faced, the importance of finance in city management, and her commitment to community engagement. She emphasizes the need for organization and the value of mento...

Summary In this conversation, Hugh Plappert interviews Belinda Munson , the city clerk of Muncie, Indiana, discussing her journey into local government, the modernization of public records, and the challenges faced in her role. Belinda shares insights on the importance of people skills, the intricacies of local governance, and offers advice for those looking to enter public service. The discussion...

Summary In this conversation, Andrew Kleine discusses his journey in local government finance, particularly his experiences in Baltimore during the Great Recession. He emphasizes the importance of innovative budgeting strategies, community engagement, and outcome-based budgeting to effectively manage city finances. Andrew shares insights on the skills necessary for success in local government and...

In this conversation, Dominique Davis , a city clerk and public affairs officer, shares her journey in local government, emphasizing the importance of public service, community engagement, and accessibility. She discusses the challenges faced in her roles, including crisis management and budget processes, while highlighting the skills necessary for success in local government. Dominique also refle...

It is never too late to start working in local government. Huge Plappert talks with  Kim Meltzer  from Clinton Township, Michigan, about raising kids, finishing college, and starting a career in politics and public service. Kim shares how Girls State in high school opened a window into creating community, how the Gulf War and concern for her children shaped her desire to help the ri...

Details are important, especially when communicating in a local community where things can be taken the wrong way. Hugh Clapper talks with Marissa Baum , head of communications for the town of East Hartford, about being a communication leader for residents and businesses. Marissa shares how a career in marketing, communications, fundraising, and development in arts and cultural institutions led to...

Government careers in marketing and communications bring a different angle than the large corporate world with unlimited ad spends and research tools. Host Hugh Plappert talks with Tai Lieu , a Marketing and Communications Specialist in city government, about moving from psychology, sales, and television advertising into digital marketing and eventually into local government work. ㅤ Tai shares ho...

A delicate balance between accomplishing goals and bringing everybody along runs through this conversation with Tempe Mayor Corey Woods . Host Hugh Plappert opens with Corey’s path from dinner table conversations about foreign and domestic issues to a city council seat at 29 and then the mayor’s chair. Corey explains the council manager form of government, the limits of mayoral authority and how s...

Finance is the engine that keeps every city department running. In this conversation, Hugh Plappert talks with Matthew Lue , Director of Finance for the City of Columbia, Missouri, about how municipal finance works behind the scenes. ㅤ From funding challenges to managing public expectations, Matthew shares lessons from his path that began in nonprofit healthcare and led to local government leader...

Opportunities in local government can take you across cities, careers, and decades of service. In this conversation, Hugh Plappert speaks with Corrine Lindo , who shares her story of transition from New York City to Atlanta and the lessons learned along the way. ㅤ Her career began in Greenwich Village on the community planning board before joining the New York City Mayor’s Office under Mayor Giul...

Local government is often described as part-time work with full-time responsibility. In this conversation, host Hugh Plappert sits down with Donna Reed to explore how a call to community service—literally three calls—turned into a seat on the city council. From a Facebook group supporting parents during COVID to a platform for youth engagement, Donna shares how she learned the rules, built relatio...

History becomes personal when it shapes your own career. Host Hugh Plappert welcomes Chris Walker, whose deep family roots in Jackson County date back more than a century. Her great-grandfather, August Singler, served as sheriff in 1913, giving his life in the line of duty. Her father and uncle carried that civic legacy forward as mayor and county commissioner, and Chris continued the tradition th...

Technology in local government is more than servers and software—it’s about people and outcomes. In this conversation, Hugh Plappert talks with Bob Leek, CIO of Clark County, Nevada, about how leadership, community impact, and innovation intersect in the public sector. ㅤ Bob Leek shares stories from a career that’s moved from private industry to public service—from Egghead, Banfield, and Kaiser P...

City clerks are often seen as formal and distant, yet behind those desks are leaders transforming their communities. Hugh Plappert sits down with Dayna Williams-Hunter to explore her unexpected path from entrepreneurship and drone photography to public service. ㅤ Dayna shares how one conversation led her to run for city clerk and discover her calling in local government. She talks about bringing...

A law enforcement career can teach powerful lessons about leadership, accountability, and service. For Hugh Plappert ’s guest, Dr. Jonathan Flores , those lessons shaped a 22-year journey from police communications to major crimes investigator and ultimately city manager. ㅤ In this conversation, Dr. Flores shares how his early experience at the McAllen Police Department and his faith-led approach...

Being involved in local city government can take many paths. Hugh Plappert talks with Dana Healy of Tightrope Media Systems about her journey from video production to serving the government as a vendor. Dana shares how a high school class accident sparked her passion for video and how that path led to managing television stations, working with nine cities, and eventually supporting accessibility f...

Life can throw some wrenches into a career. Hugh Plappert sits down with William Whitson to unfold an interesting career path from Washington DC and the U S E P A to city manager and long-term recovery. The conversation moves through hurricanes back to back, an intergovernmental response to Katrina, Hurricane Harvey in Rockport, Texas, COVID, and flash flooding after the 4th of July. Listeners hea...

Host Hugh Plappert welcomes Mayra Rios from Brownsville, Texas, a community thriving with growth, culture, and collaboration across borders. As the City Secretary, Mayra shares how Brownsville connects tourism, business, and innovation—from its relationship with Mexico to its partnership with SpaceX’s new city, Starbase. ㅤ She reflects on her path from teaching to law and city administration, rev...

“Don’t assume that just because it’s government, it’s boring.” With Hugh Plappert and Aileen Dickson , the path runs from television marketing to a city clerk’s office where elections, records, and public access shape every decision. Aileen traces a move from one computer per department and photocopied council packets to digital operations, Open Troy, and careful exploration of AI for searches. Sh...

Young, elected, and showing up. Host Hugh Plappert sits down with Dominik Bronakowski , the elected City Clerk of Des Plaines, sworn in at 24 and proud to be the youngest elected citywide official in Des Plaines history. Dominik shares how wearing many hats opened doors, from working full-time in the Illinois State legislature on constituent services and outreach to evenings and weekends in the cl...

How do you turn unexpected opportunities into a lasting career of service? On this episode of Ground Floor Government , host Hugh Plappert speaks with Vanessa Joseph , elected City Clerk for the City of North Miami and practicing immigration attorney. ㅤ Vanessa shares her journey as the daughter of Haitian immigrants, her initial plan to return to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, and how her pass...

Changes are challenging. They can make you or break you. They can throw you into an emotional turmoil, and they are important to understand as you develop your career in local government. In this conversation, Hugh Clapper sits down with Shirley Foxx-Knowles , City Clerk of Tampa, to talk about navigating political, system, and career changes. ㅤ Shirley shares her journey from 16 years in corpora...

On this episode of Ground Floor Government , host David Plappert sits down with Deborah Sorensen , City Secretary of Rowlett, Texas. Deborah shares how rules, laws, and codes shape what cities can and cannot do, highlighting the importance of the Open Meetings Act, the Public Information Act, and election laws. ㅤ She describes the Action Center in Rowlett, a one stop shop for citizens who need he...