The Clear Voice

This week on The Clear Voice, host James Groom and Clear President Michael Boese sit down with Pey Zeigler, a graduate student at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, where she is pursuing her Master of Public Service and Administration (MPSA). Pey shares how faith, family, and hands-on experience shaped her calling to serve, including her internship with t...

Public trust does not happen by accident. It is built through consistent and intentional communication. In this episode of The Clear Voice, Lara Price, a Communications Manager for a Texas school district, joins host James Groom to explore how local governments and public organizations can strengthen their connection with the community in today's digital landscape. Lara shares practical strategies...

Cities grow, priorities shift, and what once worked may no longer fit. In this episode of The Clear Voice, host James Groom sits down with Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese to explore one of the firm’s most impactful services: the organizational review. These in-depth evaluations go beyond checklists and templates to take an honest, relationship-centered look at how cities and dep...

Not every fire is visible. In this episode of The Clear Voice, host James Groom is joined by Associate Vice President and retired Fire Chief Danny Kistner to explore the unseen pressures inside today’s fire departments. Together they examine the growing gap between community expectations and operational realities, from staffing shortages and training limitations to shifting public perceptions abou...

Financial wellness is not just about money. It is about leadership. Nick Daugherty, founder of FinancialCop, joins The Clear Voice to discuss how financial stress impacts performance, morale, and decision making across every level of public service. From eliminating debt to building healthy money habits, Nick explains why financial confidence is a leadership skill that benefits individuals, famili...

City Manager Austin Bleess of Jersey Village, Texas has helped secure more than 31 million dollars in grant funding for his community, but his real impact comes from the culture he has built along the way. In this episode of The Clear Voice, Austin joins host James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese to talk about what it takes to win grants, manage them effectively, and u...

The latest episode of The Clear Voice spotlights the Finance Director opportunity in Rockdale, Texas, featuring City Manager Tim Kelty and Clear Career Professionals Vice President Kelly Kuenstler. They discuss how the role anchors a growing organization by managing core budgeting, accounting, utility billing, and financial reporting functions while partnering closely with the City Manager and dep...

On this episode of The Clear Voice Podcast, James Groom is joined by Interim Fire Chief Patty Faulkner, City Manager James Fisher, and Clear President Michael Boese to discuss the leadership opportunity to become Levelland’s next Fire Chief. Listeners will hear how the city’s supportive council, family-like culture, and strong community spirit make Levelland a rare and rewarding place to serve. Fr...

Technology is moving faster than ever and it is reshaping how cities and public safety organizations operate. From cloud solutions and AI to the constant threat of cyberattacks, leaders are being asked to make decisions that impact not just efficiency but also trust, safety, and the future of their communities. In this episode of The Clear Voice, we speak with retired Deputy Chief Ken Myers who re...

In this episode of the Clear Voice Podcast, we sit down with leaders from the Crisis Center to highlight the critical services they provide to survivors of abuse and the community as a whole. From coordinating with law enforcement and the criminal justice system to reduce trauma for survivors, to delivering prevention and awareness training in schools, churches, and civic groups, the Crisis Center...

AI is no longer a distant idea. It’s here shaping how we live, work, and lead. But what does that really mean for today’s workforce and tomorrow’s leaders? In this episode of The Clear Voice Podcast, James Groom and James Hopper sit down with Dr. Victoria Fudge to explore the promises and challenges of AI. From education to workforce transformation, and from leadership to everyday skills, the conv...

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom talks with Clear President Michael Boese and Mark Shrives, Clear Vice President and Northwest Regional Director, about Clear Career Professionals expanding The Clear Way into the Northwest and western United States. The conversation highlights Clear’s growing ability to serve local governments in Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, Californi...

In this episode of The Clear Voice Podcast, hosts James Groom and James Hopper sit down with Marcel Brunel and Dan Newby, authors of Dignity in Leadership. Together they explore how emotional literacy, regulation, and resilience shape effective leadership and healthier organizations.  The conversation highlights why emotions are not inherently good or bad, how emotional regulation helps leaders re...

In this episode of the Clear Voice podcast, we delve into the intricacies of strategic alignment and community engagement in municipal budgeting. Join James Groom and Michael Boese as they discuss with Kelly Kuenstler, a seasoned city manager, the importance of aligning budget priorities with long-term goals and the role of community input in shaping effective fiscal strategies. Discover how trans...

In this episode, we spotlight an exciting leadership opportunity in Bonham, Texas, as the community seeks its next Executive Director of the Bonham Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO). Bonham is a city on the rise with a rich history, framed by natural beauty, and poised for thoughtful growth with the momentum of new development, a downtown slated for a revitalization, a community with a pro-...

In this episode, Clear Vice Presidents Daniel Kistner and Jeff Spivey explore the critical role leadership plays in building a resilient culture by prioritizing both physical and mental wellness. Together, they address issues ranging from occupational cancer exposure and prevention to behavioral health and suicide awareness, and the hidden cultural barriers that prevent safer choices. The conversa...

In this PositionCast™ episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom and Michael Boese discuss the Director of Public Works opportunity in Missouri City, Texas with Shashi Kumar, Assistant City Manager and former Public Works Director. Missouri City is one of the fastest growing communities in Fort Bend County, with a public works department that plays a major role in infrastructure, development review,...

Join us on the Clear Voice podcast as we explore the exciting opportunity to become the City Manager of Freeport, Texas. Discover the vibrant community, the challenges, and the potential for growth in this coastal town. Hear from Mayor Jerry Cain and recruitment experts about what makes Freeport a unique place to lead and leave a lasting impact. Whether you're a visionary leader or a community bui...

How Talent Reviews Strengthen Culture and Retention. In this episode, Brian Beasley and Deanna Hendrix explore how employee engagement drives culture and how Talent Reviews give leaders a clear, actionable way to develop top talent, close succession gaps, and strengthen retention. Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm sp...

In this episode, we delve into the rising trend of turnover among city managers and municipal leaders, exploring why some of the most capable professionals walk away from their roles. Hosts James Groom and Michael Boese guide the conversation, unpacking the cultural, leadership, and systemic challenges that contribute to burnout and resignation. You'll gain insight into the less-discussed reasons,...

This episode highlights the story behind Clear Career Professionals and its mission to reform municipal Recruitment. Hosts James Groom and Michael Boese explore how outdated hiring practices, misused public funds, and candidate frustration inspired a more transparent, values-driven approach. You'll hear how Clear's co-founders leveraged their deep municipal experience to design a process focused o...

In this episode of The Clear Voice Podcast, you’ll get an inside perspective on this leadership opportunity in Dalhart, Texas straight from the people who know it best. Are you looking for a new role as an Economic Development Director? Dalhart is definitely on your way! Join us for a conversation with JJ Oznick, Dalhart City Manager, and John Porter, Dalhart Economic Development Corporation Board...

In this episode of The Clear Voice podcast, we dive into the exciting opportunities and challenges of the Planning and Development Services Director role in the vibrant city of Pflugerville, Texas. Join us as we chat with James Hartshorn and Emily Barron about the city's growth, community identity, and the vital role this position plays in shaping the future of Pflugerville. Discover how the city'...