The FCCMA Podcast

John Eason, Deputy City Manager of Wauchula, joins host Steve Vancore to share his career journey from military service and law enforcement to city administration. After serving as Chief of Police, John transitioned into local government leadership, driven by a commitment to public service and community impact. He discusses balancing visible projects, such as parks and roundabouts, with essential...

Dale Martin, City Manager of Flagler Beach, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss his transition from Connecticut to Florida and his love of board games (he owns more than 600!). Dale draws parallels between the complexity of board games and the skills needed to manage a city effectively, including strategy, adaptation, and foresight. The conversation also explores the importance of having an exit s...

In the 200th episode of the FCCMA Podcast, host Steve Vancore is joined by Casey Cook, Executive Director of FCCMA and Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Florida League of Cities, for a timely and critical conversation about the future of local government in Florida. Casey outlines the growing legislative threats to property tax revenues, warning of a potential existential crisis for municipalit...

In this episode, Ed Mitchell shares his journey transitioning from city administrator to private sector executive, highlighting the professional challenges and transferable skills that shaped his path. Now Senior Vice President at U.S. Water, Ed discusses how he overcame early setbacks and built a career serving local governments from a different angle. Ed and Steve explore Florida’s pressing wate...

County Administrator Howard Wanamaker joins host Steve Vancore to discuss his unique path from naval pilot to local government leadership. Drawing on military and private-sector experience, Howard shares how principles like standardization, accountability, and performance tracking shape his approach to county management. He reflects on applying business strategies to public service, using KPIs and...

Lee Feldman, former city manager and now principal at the Euclid Group, joins host Steve Vancore to explore how strategic advisory work can strengthen the connection between government and the development community. Lee introduces the idea of the “toposcrat,” a keeper of place, offering a fresh perspective on public service that focuses on stewardship rather than bureaucracy. The conversation cove...

Kathleen Gunn, former Deputy Village Manager of Miami Shores, joins host Steve Vancore to explore how local government leaders can better care for their emotional and spiritual well-being. She proposes chaplaincy services for city managers—distinct from counseling—to address moral and emotional challenges in public leadership. They discuss work-life balance, the pressures of public scrutiny, and K...

Steve Kennedy, City Manager of Green Cove Springs, joins host Steve Vancore to share his unexpected journey from near-retirement in Georgia to leading one of Florida’s fastest-growing small cities. Drawing from his background in accounting and youth sports coaching, Kennedy explains his team-building philosophy: assess individual strengths and place people in roles where they can succeed, even if...

John Boehm, Assistant to the City Manager at Palm Beach Gardens, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss the success of the FCCMA municipal internship program and its impact on both students and host communities. John shares his city's positive experience hosting an intern who contributed to an economic development project while gaining real-world exposure to public service through shadowing and t...

Jeff Hendry, Executive Director of the Institute of Government (IOG) at Florida State University, joins the podcast to share how the IOG has evolved since its creation by the Florida Legislature in 1980. With over three decades of leadership at the helm, Jeff explains how the institute supports local governments—especially small cities—through training, research, and capacity-building programs. Th...

Osceola County Manager Don Fisher shares how bold investments in education and infrastructure are helping reshape the county’s economic future. He highlights the Osceola Prosper program, which offers full scholarships to all high school graduates for Valencia College or Osceola Technical College, regardless of income or academic performance. The initiative includes flexible attendance options and...

Michele Lieberman, County Manager of Alachua County, reflects on over a decade of service in the county and her transition from attorney to manager. Michele shares how the county’s strategic planning process gives staff a clearer sense of purpose, aligning programs with community needs and board goals. For her, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing even small decisions improve lives, especi...

Julia Novak, CEO of ICMA, explains why local government isessential to a functioning society. She outlines the four pillars of public administration—economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and equity—and shares how ICMA supports nearly 14,000 members worldwide through ethical guidance, credentialing, and networking. A lifelong ICMA member, Julia reflects on the value of staying connected and grounded...

Mark Zeigler, FCCMA Conference 2025 keynote speaker, speaks about finding joy in public service despite rising negativity and social media hostility. Drawing inspiration from leaders like John Thrasher, Mark emphasizes the importance of connection and presence in community engagement. Known for reading every graduate’s name at Florida State’s commencement, he shares how honoring each individual mo...

Jim Gleason, City Administrator of Lake Helen, discusses thechallenges of navigating negativity in small-town governance, where the loudest voices often dominate. He explains how Lake Helen is using the Savvy Citizen app to improve communication, keep residents informed, and build trust. The city sends real-time alerts on weather, traffic, and city updates, helping to foster a more connected and e...

Keynote speaker Kyle Scheele, known as the “Patron Saint ofCrazy Ideas,” shares why creativity thrives not in limitless freedom, but within real-world constraints. Drawing from his FCCMA 2025 keynote, Kyle encourages local government leaders to embrace limited time, tight budgets, and small teams as the conditions where great ideas are born. He urges listeners to build environments where “lightnin...

Tracey Stevens, Town Administrator and Finance Director ofHaverhill, Florida, shares the financial realities of managing a town of just over 2,000 residents. With the majority of their budget reliant on property taxes, Tracey and her team are exploring alternative revenue sources and maintaining a one-year reserve fund. She also discusses the town’s use of the Civic Ready app, which delivers emerg...

Mark Cunningham,  immediate past president of FCCMA ,  discusses Sarasota county’s  back-to-back storm recovery efforts in 2024. He explains the unique challenges of post-storm debris management, including how contaminated sand must be carefully handled. Mark also covers the importance of clear public communication and proactive preparation before, during, and after storms to keep residents safe a...

Charlie Van Zant, former City Manager of Keystone Heights, brings a diverse leadership background from military service and public education to his role in city government. He shares how Keystone Heights effectively leverages its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), covering half the city, to support local projects. Charlie offers advice to other city leaders about getting involved with the Flori...

Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton and Hillsborough County Chief Human Services Administrator Carl Harness join the show to discuss their shared commitment to regional cooperation in the Tampa Bay area. They highlight their partnership with Pasco County, regular joint meetings between commissioners and staff, and the importance of working across county lines to tackle shared challenges. As...

In this episode, Crystal River City Manager Audra Curts shares her deep experience in hurricane preparedness and disaster recovery, with a special focus on the unique challenges small cities face. Audra reflects on being hit by Hurricane Helene just two days into the job, followed by Hurricane Milton a week later, and the flooding of City Hall from Hurricane Idalia before her arrival. Audra draws...

In this episode, host Steve Vancore talks with Craig Fugate, former FEMA Administrator and Florida Emergency Management Director, about his career journey from firefighter to national crisis leader. Craig explains how leadership in emergency management hinges more on trust and competence than politics, and why pragmatism is essential for navigating changing administrations. Craig shares practical...

In this episode, host Steve Vancore speaks with St. Pete Beach City Manager Frances Robustelli about thethe vital role of communications in public safety, especially during storm season. They explore how leveraging multiple platforms—from social media to trustedcommunity leaders—can build public trust and ensure that timely, accurate information reaches residents when it's needed most. Frances...

In this episode, Steve Vancore and guest Ed Cook, City Manager for the City of Callaway, discuss the intricacies of rebuilding cities after disasters, with a particular focus on securing grants and managing city finances. Ed outlines his proactive approach to grant writing, leveraging his deep understanding of the city's needs and forming strong relationships with state officials and legislato...

Ken Parker, a longtime FCCMA Senior Advisor who has been retired for 10 years, joins us for a live interview at the FCCMA 2024 Annual Conference. Ken moved from Arkansas to Port Orange in Volusia County and discusses his experience in buying 10,000 acres for Port Orange to support the municipality’s growth. Additionally, Ken shares the unique experience of having an alien eradication specialist on...