The FCCMA Podcast

Terry Atchley, Hardee County Manager, returns to the show in Episode #142 after his initial appearance in Episode #39. Steve and Terry explore the parallels and distinctions between managing public entities and private businesses. Terry shares the current financial hurdles facing Hardee County's public utilities and the proactive measures being implemented to address these issues, offering a t...

Charles Chapman, with a rich background in city and county management, and current consultant for the Florida League of Cities, dives into the pivotal role of the Florida Legislature in Episode #141. Drawing from his extensive experience across Gadsden and Hendry Counties and Naples city management, Charles presents insightful case studies from the 2024 Legislative Session. He highlights proposed...

In Episode #140, we hear from Scott Andrews, whose initial career as a fitness trainer in Temple Terrace laid the foundation for a career journey under the guidance of a pivotal mentor. Celebrated with the FCCMA award in 2014, Scott epitomizes the ethos "If you care, you do." Now in Bakersfield, California, Scott reflects on his diverse experiences across Florida, Georgia and California,...

Michael Pleus shares insights from his 16-year tenure as the city manager of DeLand, beginning from his initial role as assistant city manager. He contrasts strategic planning with goal setting, describing how individual goals contribute to fulfilling broader strategic objectives. Michael touches upon the importance of resident feedback, obtained through active social media engagement, and the nec...

Returning guest Matt Spoor, who first appeared in episode #17, reflects on Safety Harbor's remarkable growth since 2004. Matt details the community's evolution and the associated challenges of managing expansion. The conversation revisits Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs), highlighting Safety Harbor's success in leveraging CRAs for community and infrastructure betterment and defi...

In this episode, Eddie Pidermann, a 32-year resident and influential citizen of Miami Lakes, recounts his journey of public service, which includes authoring the town's original charter. He shares the town's practice of inducting new officials through a comprehensive orientation across various departments. Eddie's extensive experience, comprising a 30-year tenure with the city of Miami...

John D'Agostino, Town Manager of Lake Park, shares his experience in employing technology to reduce crime in a majority-minority community. With a background in public administration, John discusses the economic development needs of Lake Park upon his arrival. He highlights the success of creating private investments and addresses community concerns through public outreach meetings. The episod...

Satellite Beach City Manager Courtney Barker discusses the impact of PFAS chemicals from a nearby space force base, the difficulties of remediation and the economic significance of the base to Satellite Beach. Courtney emphasizes the importance of doing things right the first time and discusses measures like implementing paid beach parking driven by community needs.

In this episode, Archer City Manager Tony Hammond discusses the unique challenges faced by smaller communities. With a background in smaller municipalities, Tony addresses the difficulties of securing grants for infrastructure projects and the particular struggle the City of Archer faces in bringing sewer to the community.

Former Atlantic Beach City Manager Jim Hanson understands better than most how much stress city and county managers experience. In this episode, he talks about preparing for retirement, being an FCCMA Senior Advisor, and what to do if you ever expect to be a manager in transition (according to Jim, you should expect to!)

Mario Diaz, City Manager of North Miami Beach, engages in a conversation with Steve about the incorporation of new technologies into city management. Diaz shares insights on navigating challenges in adopting these technologies to enhance efficiency and problem-solving. The discussion touches on consumer acceptance, communication strategies, and the opportunities and challenges associated with util...

Kev Beresford explores the unconventional idea of replacing traffic lights with roundabouts. He presents compelling statistics, noting a 90% reduction in fatalities with roundabouts, as well as their positive environmental impact — roundabouts attract insects and result in 40% less fuel emissions compared to traffic lights. Beresford discusses the efficiency of roundabouts in managing traffic flow...

Gregg Mims, City Manager of Indian Rocks Beach, joins Steve in a discussion about fundamental principles in local government. They explore topics such as vacation rentals, noise issues and ordinances designed to address these challenges. Mims, whose background is in real estate insurance, stresses the significance of adhering to basic principles in local government, especially in the face of urban...

In this episode, Catherine Givens, Deputy City Manager for the City of Coral Springs, shares insights on crafting effective strategic plans for organizational success. Givens emphasizes the importance of celebrating wins and suggests condensing them into a concise, easily digestible document. Additionally, she advocates for creating linking documents to illustrate interdepartmental connections wit...

City Manager veteran Kurt Bressner, with experience both in and out of Florida, joins Steve to discuss the timeless wisdom found in the 1960s ICMA article "Guideposts for City Managers." Serving as a Senior Advisor for ICMA/FCCMA, Kurt shares insights into his role and emphasizes the importance of active listening in effective city management.

John Daly, Ph. D., a veteran teacher at the USF School of Public Affairs, engages in a conversation with Steve about the transformations in city and county administration over his 38-year career. Exploring the challenges of modern local management, Daly addresses the declining trust in government and offers insights on recruiting young talent. The episode sheds light on the evolving dynamics of pu...

Meet Annamarie Reno, the City Manager of Mascotte, as she shares her experiences moving from Michigan to Florida. With a population of around 8,400, Mascotte presents unique challenges. Annamarie discusses the contrasts in local government between the two states and reflects on the significant changes she has encountered since making the move.

Former City Manager of DeLand and Interim City Manager of Flagler Beach, Mike Abels, joins Steve for a historical journey. Drawing lessons from Thomas Jefferson and his time volunteering at Monticello, Mike emphasizes the need for citizen buy-in for effective strategic planning. He shares that strategic planning precedes goal setting, providing a roadmap for successful plan implementation.

Kevin Surace, a technologist, futurist, and AI expert, takes the spotlight as a keynote speaker on artificial intelligence. With a wealth of experience dating back to his time in Silicon Valley in 1985, Kevin emphasizes the role of AI in addressing pain points and enhancing results for constituents. He introduces "Codecomply.ai," an innovative service that will analyze city documents for...

Lynne Ladner, Town Manager and Finance Director of Ocean Ridge delves into her multifaceted role. Responsible for a population of over 1,800 in a fully residential community, Lynne discusses her journey from the private sector to public service. She emphasizes the value of meeting residents where they are and highlights the importance of patience and dedication in a town manager's role. Lynne...

T. Michael Stavres, City Manager of Winter Haven, shares his perspective on effective leadership and community growth. With a team of certified subject-matter experts, Winter Haven's focus is on understanding constituents' emotions and perspectives. T. Michael emphasizes the impact of public investment on private growth, exemplified by Winter Haven's infrastructure improvements. He hig...

In this episode, Marshall Labadie, the Town Manager of Highland Beach, provides insights into managing a unique community. Situated between Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Highland Beach boasts a population of 4,200 that doubles in the winter months. Marshall emphasizes the importance of collaboration, highlighting that success is achieved when everyone works together. He discusses the concept of reg...

Desiree Casanova, an alumna of the ICMA one-year fellowship program, was a guest on the FCCMA podcast for episode #36. We’re excited to welcome her back and hear how her journey has evolved! Join us to hear Desiree speak about mentorship from a unique perspective, her experience in the ICM fellowship program, and her position in Sarasota County.   

Tobey Cyr, Director of Customer Service for The Villages, draws on her educational background in Early Childhood Education to discuss her approach to management. She outlines her five classroom-inspired rules and explores The Villages' expansion into new neighborhoods, catering to a diverse retiree demographic.

Dr. Brenda Fettrow, City Manager of Rockledge, shares her approach to leadership and community engagement. Her focus on being business-friendly, accessible, and informed allows for positive relationships with developers. Dr. Fettrow also discusses the impact of being located on the space coast and how Rockledge adapted to the end of the shuttle program.