Leading Thriving Cities

Our guest today is Wayne Nero, the Assistant City Manager of Georgetown, TX. Wayne shares his transformative journey from Police Chief to city management. He explores the challenges of identity loss, the importance of intentional leadership, and the power of empathy in fostering thriving teams. Wayne also highlights the importance of mission-driven values and authentic connections in building thri...

In this episode, we sit down with Brooks Williams, City Manager of Ferris, TX. He shares his amazing story about turning a struggling city into a community that's really thriving. Discover how embracing vulnerability, fostering a culture of support, and tackling obstacles with creativity can pave the way for transformative leadership in public service. Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners...

On May 24th, 2022, 21 lives were ended at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. This is undoubtedly one of the most horrific events a city can go through and a city manager can lead through. Today, on a special presentation of Leading Thriving Cities, we welcome Vince DiPiazza, the city manager of Uvalde. He helps us understand how they navigated the complexities of the event and the sometimes...

We sat down with James Hartshorn, Deputy City Manager of Pflugerville, TX. James shares his inspiring leadership journey and highlights the vital role of mentorship in city management. Discover how building strong relationships, fostering a positive culture, and prioritizing self-reflection can transform your approach to public service and help you create vibrant, thriving communities. Tune in for...

How has the world changed for women in public leadership over the last 30 years? Spoiler alert: it’s changed a lot and it’s been a difficult journey. Today’s guest, Karen Daly, is a legend in city management, and the founder of the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute. She shares her tremendous wisdom, and the best part according to her is, “I don’t have an employer or stakeholder out there so I can...

Today, we are joined by Michele Lau Torres, the Chief Learning Officer for Austin, TX, who shares her insights on the vital role that learning and development play in organizations. Join us as she explores the importance of cultivating a supportive culture, overcoming toxic leadership, and the vital impact of city workers in creating vibrant communities. Discover how innovative approaches can not...

Join us for a conversation with Thomas Hunter, the Assistant City Manager of Pflugerville, TX. Discover how to navigate the challenges of public service by embracing collaboration, storytelling, and maintaining a strong vision. Learn about the importance of celebrating successes and fostering a positive environment for both leaders and their teams. Stay tuned for insights on how we can look beyond...

Today, we sit down with Seth Winterhalter, Executive Coach and President of HaltingWinter, to explore the three things every City Manager should embrace in their leadership. Chad and Seth discuss the questions: How are you continually growing as a leader? How are you fiercely protecting your well-being? How are you intentionally building a culture that isn’t built on you? Join us as we get nerdy a...

In this episode, we speak with Tom Sloan, a Commander for the Round Rock Police Department, who shares his unique journey from ranching to military service and then into law enforcement. Tom discusses the importance of genuine care in leadership, the value of saying no to unnecessary commitments, and the significance of being both courageous and vulnerable. Tune in to discover how effective leader...

Join us for this episode as we dive into the incredible journey of Matt Wright, HR Director from Buda, TX. Discover how his experience in policing has shaped his approach to human resources, the importance of intentional self-investment, and the vital role of community connections in navigating career transitions. Tune in for invaluable insights on leadership, vulnerability, and reclaiming pizza p...

Today, we welcome Terrell Smith, Assistant City Manager of Melissa, TX, to discuss his journey in public service leadership. He highlights the importance of celebrating team wins, the challenges of disconnecting during vacations, and maintaining relationships as leaders grow. Terrell emphasizes patience, active listening, and fostering growth, sharing insights for nurturing community and personal...

Our guest today is Russell Sander, the Assistant City Manager of Marble Falls, TX. Russell shares his journey to city management, which began in the fire service. He emphasizes the importance of self-investment, intentionality, and early leadership development. Discover how understanding the "why" and investing in yourself can lead to thriving communities. Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Part...

In this impactful episode, we have a conversation with Melissa Grubbs, a Commander for the Round Rock Police Department, about the challenges and triumphs in public service. We discuss the importance of asking for help, overcoming imposter syndrome, and fostering diversity and authenticity. Tune in for valuable lessons on resilience and empowerment! Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Pr...

Today, we speak with Paul Grimes, the City Manager of McKinney, TX. Paul discusses his approach to bridging the gap between elected officials and the community, highlighting the essential role of city managers as navigators. He emphasizes the significance of strong people skills and the importance of fostering a creative environment. Join us for an engaging discussion on building relationships to...

In this episode, we welcome Shanna Sims, the Assistant City Manager of University Park, TX. Join us as Shanna shares her insights on the value of connection and the importance of nurturing relationships. Discover why having a strong support network is essential. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that highlights the power of collaboration and community support in building vibrant, thriving citi...

In this episode, we speak with Jeff Jenkins, the Deputy City Manager of Taylor, TX, about the importance of building strong communities, particularly during periods of growth. Jeff shares insights on effective communication and highlights the significance of embracing one’s own leadership style, as well as the value of listening during times of change. Join us for a great conversation about authen...

Today's guest is Anello Hill Zanoni, a Management Analyst from Kerrville, Texas. He shares his journey into public service, inspired by his father's career as a City Manager. In our conversation, we discuss generational differences, navigating burnout, and how to make choices for work-life balance when everything feels like a priority. Join us for a great discussion about growing up in public serv...

In this episode, we chat with Dalton Rice, the City Manager of Kerrville, Texas. He dives into how public service and entrepreneurship are connected. Dalton talks about the importance of building relationships, driving sustainable change, and fostering collaboration among teams. He also shares valuable lessons from his wins and losses, reminding us all to focus on personal development and getting...

How can we lead with political neutrality in an increasingly partisan world? In today’s episode, we chat with Tony Moline, President of the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce. Tony discusses the Chamber’s role in supporting local businesses while maintaining political neutrality, especially during challenges like COVID-19. He shares insights on building strong relationships, emphasizes the importance...

How can we be more intentional about building relationships across our organizations? Today we have a conversation with Becca Miears, the HR Director from New Braunfels, TX. Becca discusses the importance of caring for people and intentionally building healthy relationships. She shares her career journey, the challenges she faced in becoming a director, and the value of mentorship. Becca offers st...

Today, Jackson Daly, the Assistant Public Works Director of Georgetown, TX, joins us to explore some practical advice on public service and making a positive impact in your community! We had a great conversation about focusing on the importance of being responsive, handling unexpected disruptions, and showing gratitude in public service. We also talked about the need to solve problems instead of p...

Join us for an inspiring episode as we sit down with Stephanie Reyes, the City Manager of San Marcos, TX. Stephanie shares her journey of nurturing the city's growth while preserving its unique charm. She delves into the influence of her fourth-generation roots, the significance of self-care, and empowering future generations. Stephanie highlights the importance of building strong relationships wi...

Our guest today is LaShon Ross, she is the Deputy City Manager of Plano, TX, and she shares invaluable insights from her 35 years in public service. LaShon emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfection, modeling vulnerability, and the value of legacy. The discussion covers the shift from technical roles to leadership positions and the impact of public service on enhancing quality of life. La...

Can public service be fun? In today’s episode, we sit down for a wonderful discussion with Sara Costlow, Assistant City Manager of Deer Park, Texas. Sara shares her journey in city management, overcoming personal challenges, the fun that can be found in city management, and her passion for spreadsheets! Tune in to gain insights about leading as a woman in public service, and how we can all embrace...

How do emotions and logic intersect in public service leadership? The answer is fascinating! Join us for an engaging discussion with Lauren Rose, Assistant City Manager of Sachse, Texas. Lauren shares about Local Government 2030, which is working to reimagine the future of public service. Lauren shares her insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, building trust, and the importance of maintaining...