Public Works Podcast

Shane stops by and updates us on all-things Legislation.

Jamie is Salisbury's Director of Public Works, who detailed the town's seasonal population fluctuations and the DPW's responsibilities across water, sewer, highway, and beach departments, including summer preparations for increased visitors and maintaining beach area infrastructure. Jamie also shared his career journey in municipal government, essential skills for public works directors, his focus...

Chris is the Sewer Condition Assessment Section Manager at WSSC Water and we chat about his role as the sewer condition assessment section manager, the scope and condition of WSSC Water's infrastructure, and challenges such as aging infrastructure and workforce knowledge transfer. Chris shared insights into his career path, management philosophy, and addressed misconceptions about his position, em...

Terrell is the Public Works Director for Henrico County, who detailed the county's extensive road system and the department's diverse responsibilities. Terrell discussed his typical workday, the award-winning pedestrian safety outreach program, and the early influences and career path that led him to his current role. Key talking points included the importance of communication for a public works d...

Len is a Civil Engineer at Witt O'Briens based in Colorado. Witt O'Briens is a civil engineering firm specializing in disaster recovery, grants management, and funding;  Mr. Wright detailed his expertise developed through academic training, fieldwork responding to various disasters, and collaborations with diverse professionals. He emphasized the importance of adaptability, communication, and ment...

Hamed is the CTO and Co-Founder of Tiger Eye Engineering. In this episdoe we discussed the company's AI-powered road condition assessment services and client-focused approach.  Hamed highlighted Tiger Eye's success in providing accurate, cost-effective solutions for smaller municipalities and partnerships with consulting firms, emphasizing the importance of addressing road deterioration early. Giv...

Tanya Nash is the Director of Engineering at Asphalt Testing Solutions and Engineering. In this episode we discuss her diverse role, career path, and insights into the asphalt industry, including misconceptions, key skills, and future challenges like the "silver tsunami."  Tanya emphasized the importance of collaboration, clear communication, and continuous professional development, advocating for...

John Masley and I discussed VAC-CON's new social media strategy, focusing on micro-influencer sales reps creating authentic content to increase brand awareness and educate potential clients within the construction industry. This strategy prioritizes consistent posting across platforms like TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, even with minimal equipment, to bridge the knowledge gap...

Kenna Hubai, Business Services Manager for Charlotte County Public Works, covering her diverse role encompassing administrative functions, cemetery management, community redevelopment, and staff development.  Kenna detailed daily responsibilities, coastal challenges, collaborative efforts with Karly and her director, and strategies for improving employee training, communication, and overall workpl...

John Crisman of Moleaer Nanobubble Technology presented on their nanobubble wastewater treatment technology, highlighting its unique approach to improving separation and biological processes compared to traditional aeration methods. The discussion covered the technology's application in addressing common plant issues, attracting and retaining industry talent, and the importance of collaboration wi...

Tom Wachholder, Public Works Director for Wenatchee, Washington, who discussed his daily routine, prioritizing methods, and the complexities of the $335 million Confluence Parkway project.  Key themes included the importance of strong internal and external relationships, proactive risk mitigation, and continuous improvement through leadership coaching and team feedback.  Next steps include explori...

Devin Page, Wastewater Maintenance Coordinator at Clackamas County Water and Environment Services, detailed their diverse career path, daily responsibilities (including preventative maintenance and project management), and the crucial skills needed for success in wastewater maintenance, emphasizing problem-solving and hands-on abilities.  Paige highlighted the importance of transferable skills, co...

Jorge L. Morales, Director of the Austin Watershed Protection Department, covering the department's stormwater management in Austin, including its unique geography and separate storm sewer system. Key challenges discussed included securing funding for projects,  preparing for future storms, and effectively communicating with the public during crises. Mr. Morales advised new watershed managers to u...

Amir Cahn, CEO of SWAN Forum, presented Swan's mission to accelerate global smart water innovation through a utility-driven, collaborative approach, emphasizing the importance of human factors and addressing legacy companies' adaptation to technological advancements. We talked about action versus discussion, prompting Cahn to highlight the need for regional context and stakeholder trust. Swan plan...

Marsha Anderson Bomar, a strategic transportation advisor for GHD and president-elect of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), shared her 50-year career journey, encompassing experiences in both the public and private sectors, entrepreneurship (Street Smarts and Data Smarts), and extensive leadership roles. Her presentation highlighted the importance of mentorship, effective communicatio...

Danielle is the Owner of Upskilled Consulting and in the episode we discussed the skilled trades labor shortage, emphasizing effective onboarding (30-60-90 day plans, ride-alongs), mentorship, and blended (in-person and virtual) training strategies to address it. We highlighted the need for measuring training ROI through metrics like video views and skill acquisition, building internal video libra...

Mike McNutt: Public Affairs and Communications Manager at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District in California. In this episode he detailed his multifaceted role encompassing media relations, crisis communication, and community engagement, highlighting the challenges of building public trust amidst declining confidence in government and misinformation.  He discussed strategies for effective communi...

Ernest is A Senior Executive Recruiter at the City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities in Washington. In this episode we discussed the challenges and strategies of recruiting for executive-level positions within Seattle Public Utilities, highlighting the importance of aligning candidates with the organization's mission and addressing ageism and other biases in the process. We explored strategies...

Keeli is the Water Policy Program Manager at Seminole County Government in Florida. In this episode we discussed her role in developing holistic water policies, current projects focusing on stakeholder engagement and internal water audits, and the challenges of limited staffing and funding.  Her career progression, emphasizing communication and collaboration skills honed through diverse experience...

Adib is the Water & Sewer Utilities Engineer at City of Tukwila in Washington. This episodes chat is regarding Altal's career path, daily responsibilities, and essential skills in the field.  He highlighted the importance of communication, addressing misconceptions about public works, and the challenges of inadequate funding and aging infrastructure. Give the episode a listen and remember to t...

Stephen Sanders is the Head Trainer at The Environmental Training Center at Morrisville State, Morrisville NY. In this episode we discussed challenges in the water industry, including workforce aging, recruitment difficulties, and negative public perception. We explored solutions such as simplifying certification processes, improving community relations through clear communication, and emphasizing...

Jordan is the Environmental Specialist II | Wastewater & Water Community North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Charlotte North Carolina. In this episode she detailed her career path, emphasizing the importance of internships and entry-level positions, and shared experiences highlighting accountability and regulatory work.  We discussed professional development strategies, the n...

Matthew is the Co-Founder/CEO PSD Citywide Inc. In this episode we chat about how PSD CityWide came to fruition and what it has evolved into over the years. We cover topics like software vs hardware and also how a company can get traction with municipalities. We also discuss how one can stay fit during the rigourous travel schedule of a high-performing CEO. Give the show a listen and remember to t...

Dustin is the Streets Operations Manager at the City of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. In this episode we dive into show removal, finding and keeping talent, how to keep talent busy in extreme weather and more. We also dive into his career path and how he got into the public sector. We talk about the ups and downs of his career and what has made him who he is today. His billboard would simply read:...

Jamel is the Water Treatment Plant Operator at Bargersvilles North Water Plant in Indiana. In this episode we chat about how he made his way into Water Treatment and all the skills he picked up on the way. We also dive into Apprenticeship and what it can look like for aspiring operators. We also covered topics like Faith, the ability to learn and misconceptions. Jamel wants us all to "Be a river n...