Public Works Podcast

Joseph Blackman welcomed Kevin Boesch, the compliance project manager of Stormwater for SWCA Environmental Consultants, to the podcast where Kevin described their operational role acting as a "stop gap" between construction contractors and regulatory compliance, ensuring projects maintain clean standing regarding stormwater and dust control. Kevin discussed the importance of proactive communicatio...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Philip Nitollama, the City Traffic Engineer for the city of Riverside, California, to the public works podcast where Philip Nitollama detailed his multidimensional role overseeing transportation planning, traffic signal operations, and community engagement. Philip Nitollama discussed the legal responsibilities of defending municipal engineering decisions in litigation, his...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Alexander Hayner, the Training and Development Specialist at Charlotte Water in Charlotte, North Carolina, to the public works podcast where Alexander Hayner described his role supporting over 1,300 water workers across the "One Water network" with diverse learning, development, and upskilling initiatives. Alexander Hayner discussed the department's monthly new employee or...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Marlene Alcaraz to the podcast to discuss the multifaceted and essential role of an Engineering Aid within public works. Marlene Alcaraz shared insights into the diverse demands of the position, highlighting the need for self-taught expertise in contract administration, project management, and the rigorous regulatory compliance required for plan approvals. The conversation...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Justin Hopkins, the General Manager of the Stockton East Water District, to the podcast to discuss the intricate balance of managing surface and groundwater for a growing region. Justin Hopkins detailed the district’s robust operations, including a 65 million gallon per day drinking water treatment plant and a unique governance structure featuring weekly board meetings to...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Tia Cavender, the CEO and Founder of Dig Deep Research, to the podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of infrastructure funding for mid-sized communities. Tia Cavender explained how her firm fills a critical market gap by supporting municipalities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000, which often lack in-house grant writing resources but remain highly responsive t...

Joseph Blackman sat down with Ignatius Jean, the Executive Director of CAWASA, to discuss the complex landscape of regional water management across the Caribbean. Ignatius Jean detailed CAWASA’s vital role in supporting 12 Caribbean water utilities through networking, training, and strategic partnerships with organizations like the Caribbean Development Bank and UN Habitat. The conversation explor...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Sarah Collins from Pittsburgh Water to the podcast, where she detailed their innovative approach to talent acquisition and the critical mission of providing water services to 500,000 people daily. Sarah Collins emphasized the necessity of adaptability and relationship building when creating pipelines with community and educational partners to ensure hands-on learning and c...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Kehinde Ojasanya, a research scientist at the University of Vermont and founder of Keloks Technologies, to the podcast where Kehinde described the three essential layers of capability for a research scientist: technical depth, systems thinking, and translational intelligence. Kehinde discussed the critical shift in public works from a reactive to a regenerative model, spec...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Dustin Stambaugh, the City Manager of Weed, California, and a newly minted Doctor of Public Administration, back to the podcast where Dustin described his transition from the Midwest to leading a small, rural California municipality. Dustin discussed the significant regulatory differences between Kansas’ "home rule" and California’s heavy regulation, as well as his doctora...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Timothy Runde, the Treatment Manager at the Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Facility, to the podcast where Timothy described his oversight of 24/7 operations for a facility serving 18 metro communities and managing flows of up to 200 MGD. Timothy discussed the significant success of the facility's three-year operator apprenticeship program, which has been in place since...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Gerry Vasquez, the water quality and systems lead operator for the city of South Gate, California, to the podcast where Gerry described his role managing water production, regulatory compliance, and customer service for a dense community of 89,000 residents. Gerry discussed his daily routine of morning tailgate meetings and SCADA monitoring, as well as the unique challenge...

Joseph Blackman welcomed Brittany Thurston, a program manager in HR for the public sector, back to the podcast to discuss her creation of an internal leadership development cohort designed to provide genuine comprehension over traditional management theory. Brittany described the program's origins from an employee survey and its focus on self-management, personal values, and the "why" of public se...

Episode Summary: Join Joseph Blackman and Shane Silsby for the final episode of 2025 as they wrap up the year on The Public Works Podcast! In this special “2025 Wrap Up” show, the hosts reflect on their personal and professional highlights, including major speaking engagements, podcast milestones, and memorable travels across the country. They discuss the challenges and successes of producing cont...

Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby on The Public Works Podcast for a special episode featuring Tom Koutroulis, Director of Orange County Waste & Recycling. Go behind the scenes at the Frank R. Bowerman Landfill and discover how Tom and his team are leading the way in sustainability, education, compliance, and innovative waste management. In this episode, Tom shares his unique journey from...

Episode Title: "Extreme Heat & Community Resilience - California’s Bold Approach" Episode Summary: In this episode, host Shane Silsby is joined by Dr. Braden Kay and Kelly Meza Prado from California’s Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Together, they discuss the urgent challenge of extreme heat, the state’s innovative grant programs, and how public works professionals can le...

Episode Title: "Building Communities Across Borders and Oceans" Episode Summary: Join us for an insightful conversation with Ray Dovalina, a veteran public works professional who has shaped infrastructure across multiple states and regions. From his early days in South Texas to leading major capital improvement programs in Phoenix, El Paso, and beyond, Ray shares invaluable lessons on leadership,...

Episode Title: "Leading with Authenticity: How Heart, Humor, and Humanity Shapes Strong Communities" Episode TImestamps & Topics:  0:00 – Introduction • Host Shane Silsby introduces the podcast and guest, Jenny Haruyama, highlighting her two decades of municipal experience and her reputation for authentic, approachable leadership. 1:29 – Path to Public Service • Jenny shares her family’s deep...

Episode Title: Leadership, Resilience & the book "26 Seconds" ✈️  Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby as he sits down with Rossana D'Antonio, former Deputy Director of LA County Public Works, ASCE leader, and author of "26 Seconds." Rossana shares her journey from engineer to executive, her experience with disaster response, her advocacy for infrastructure and aviation safety, and the deep...

Episode Description: Join host Shane Silsby as he tours the Orange County Sanitation District with General Manager, Rob Thompson. Discover how Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) is leading innovation in public works, from sustainable infrastructure to cutting-edge wastewater management. This episode features in-depth discussions, leadership insights, and on-site facility tours with the OC...

Episode Title: "Balancing Priorities - Perspectives on Leadership, Working Across Sectors, and the Future of Transportation" Episode Summary: Join us for an in-depth conversation with Jennifer Toth, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), as she shares her unique 360-degree perspective on transportation infrastructure. With experience spanning the private sector, local governm...

Episode Title: "Phoenix Rising: Infrastructure & Economic Development Strategies Supporting Responsible Growth" Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby for an in-depth conversation with Eric Johnson, Assistant Director of the Community & Economic Development Department at the City of Phoenix. Discover how infrastructure planning, interdepartmental coordination, and strategic vision drive e...

Episode Summary: Welcome to The Public Works Podcast! In this episode, host Shane Silsby sits down with Anthony-Paul "AP" Diaz, Superintendent / Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Seattle. AP shares his journey from Los Angeles to Seattle, leadership lessons from managing two of America’s largest park systems, the power of public-private partnerships, and the vital role of parks in b...

Episode Summary: Welcome to  ‪@ThePublicWorksPodcast‬ !!! Join Shane Silsby for an enlightening conversation with Laura Kroeger, Executive Director of the Mile High Flood Control District. Leading an agency that serves over 2 million residents in the Denver Metro area, Laura shares her extensive experience and insights on stormwater infrastructure, developing partnerships, and leadership & man...

Episode Title: "Maximum Impact: Public Works Leadership in a Small but mighty City" Episode Summary: Join us for an insightful conversation with Jamie Lai, Public Works Director for the City of Yorba Linda! In this episode of The Public Works Podcast, host Shane Silsby sits down with Jamie to explore her professional journey, the unique challenges and advantages of leading a smaller public works a...