Public Works Podcast

Cory is the Operations Manger for the City of Champaign Illinois. Imagine this: A Theater major that falls in love with Public Works Operations and totally crushes what he does. Thats Cory. He is a believer in getting engaged even if not employed, meaning, you can do your part to serve the public even if you don't work for a city. Give the episode a spin and make sure to thank your local public wo...

James is the Environmental Engineering Associate III at LA Sanitation and Environment in the Solid Resources Support Services Division. James and I chat about his journey from a career fair to landing the position he is in today. The green waste in LA is in good hands with James. Give it a listen and always remember to thank your local public worker.

Michael is the Fleet Manager for the City of Bloomington in Minnesota. With 588pcs of equipment under his watch, Michael is the right man for the job. From laying under dashboards to where he is at today it has been a journey. Give it a listen and make sure you thank your local Fleet manager.

Michelle is the Parks and Recreation Superintendent for the City of Traverse City in Michigan. Michelle and i talk about her younger-self backpacking with her father to now having 34 parks under her watch. Her time with Americore was the catalyst that got he into the public side of things. The City of Traverse has some great features; a ski-hill, a water-front and now they have Michelle. Give it a...

Jennifer is the Chief Civil Engineer in the Department of Public Utilities with the Division of Water Pollution Control in Cleveland Ohio. We chat about her youthful interest in math and science but now communication is how she excels at her position. From a HBCU, to the public sector and then to private and now back to the public side, Jennifer has paid her dues. Give it a listen and make sure yo...

Nick is the Manager of Right of Way & landscape Services for the City of Fort Wayne Indiana. We cover what the Right of Way position does and what its responsible for. Nick and I chat about how learning of new products/services helps keep the tax payers dollars in their pockets. Give the show a listen and always remember to thank your local Public Worker

Jaime is a Civil Engineer 1 of the city La Crosse in Wisconsin. We cover his background from wanting to be a heavy equipment operation to his father wanting better for him. He credits Thinking on his Feet to the successes he's had in his current position. Jaime wants to remind us all that "if you dont know, ask." Give it a listen and if you would like to be featured feel free to reach out.

Andy is the Wastewater Utility Manager for Carson City Nevada. We cover his path from growing up on a cattle ranch to his transition from the private sector to what he does now. Andy wants us all to remember to not flush wipes. Make sure you thank your local public worker and share the episode.

Stan is the current President of American Public Works Association. We chat about what Public Works means to him and his origin in the industry. May 15-21 is National Public Works Week so check with your local city to see what festivities are going on. Give it a listen and remember to always thanks you local Public Worker

Donny is the Public Works Director for the City of Amarillo Texas. He advises all of those who wish to be in management to coach youth sports. Which I think is great advice. We cover his hobby of sports coverage and his strategy of watching other city council meetings to better himself. Give it a listen and make sure you thank your local public worker.

Nader is the Deputy Director for the City of Thousand Oaks California. We cover his journey from the private side to the public sector. Nader wants an open channel of communication with the PWD. Give the show a listen and make sure you hit him up for some Persian Food recommendations when in town.

Phil is the Water Resource Engineer 3 for the City of Madison Wisconsin. We cover his educational background and how he came from sampling odors to what he does today. Phil wants us all to literally and metaphorically "keep our leaves out of the street." Give it a listen and make sure to leave a review.

Todd is the Public Works Director for the City of Brentwood Tennessee. With 25 years of experience he is a big proponent for "taking a chance on yourself." We cover his career path and also why its important for everyone to "grease their equipment." Give it a listen and remember to thank you local public worker.

Layne is the Public Works Superintendent for the City of Lake Dallas in Texas. Layne gives us his background story and how he uses personality tests to better himself. Communicating with other department heads is how Layne keeps his knowledge sharp. Give it a listen and remember to thanks your local Public Worker.

Veronica Davis is the Deputy Director of Transportation & Drainage Operations for Houston Public Works. Topics covered in this episode include: -What its like to be a Black Engineer in Public Works -The power of mentors and mentoring -Being a People Person -Books to give your employees Give it a listen and always remember to thank your local Public Worker

Zac is the Maintenance & Operations Manager for the City of Reno in the Fleet Management division of Public Works. Zac and I chat about his unorthodox path to his position and how it helps him navigate current issues. Being open to criticism and his team is what he credits is the secret to success. Give the show a listen and always remember to thanks a Public Worker.

Rex is a Civil Engineer for the Portland Bureau of Transportation in the ADA Ramp Crew. We chat about his Platypus background and how it got him to where he is at today. Rex and I chat about his trip to Amsterdam and how they are the leaders in bike mobility. Rex wants us to all have patience and understanding when it comest to Public Works. Give it a listen and always remember to thank a Public W...

Micah is the Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Newport Beach. He credits his unique path to his "Can-do" leadership style. We chat about what the City of Newport has going on for National Public Works Week and we also go into how growing on on a ranch has benefitted his career in so many ways. Give it a listen and remember to thank our Public Workers.

Mahsa is the Environmental Specialist for Regulatory Affairs Division in the Bureau of Sanitation. You will hear her true passion for our environment as she talks about what she does on and off the clock for conservation. We chat about a few documentaries that kickstart her path to being where she is today. Give the show a listen and remember to thank our Public Workers.

Stephanie is the Environmental Quality Specialist for the City of Phoenix. She credits her time with ROTC for how she communicates with her internal colleagues and also her external clients. Initially wanting to be a Oceanographer and switching to being a Soil Scientist, she wants us all to Take Care of Our Homes. Give it a listen and always remember to Thank your local Public Worker.

Steve is the Utilities Supervisor for the City of Lakeville in Minnesota. We talk about his path to where he is today and we also cover how to find talent for your Public Works Operations. If you see Steve out ice-fishing feel free to ask him about the WUTT program and how cities can benefit. Give it a listen and thank your local Public Worker.

Michelle is the Environmental Supervisor for the LA Sanitation and Environment Regulatory Affairs Division. We cover how she used her wit and ingenuity to get to where she is at today. Michelle calls all of us to become a Community Scientist. Give the show a listen and remember to thank a Public Worker.

Ken is the Senior Traffic Engineer for the City of Petaluma in California. We talk about his passion for problem solving and also how he uses his background in the private sector to apply it to the public side. Remember to thank a Public Worker and be like Ken and ride you bike to work. Give it a listen and please leave a review.

Peter is the Director of Public Works for the city of Salem Oregon. We talk about how he leverages the Wall Street Journal to make better decisions for the city. From Florida to Oregon Peter has had the heart of a teacher. If you see him out in public be sure to talk to him about Nascar and tater tots from Bo & Vine. Give the show a listen and make sure you thank a Public Works worker today!

John does so much for the city of Arvada. From transportation to traffic to micro-mobility, John has a hand in it all. Being customer-service focused has allowed him to take strides in the industry and the community. John loves to interact with the public so if you have some questions or comments please go to speakup.arvada.org and leave him a virtual "pat-on-the-back"