The Infrastructure Hot Seat Podcast

Former Public Works Director Todd Hoppenstedt joins the show to share what life is really like behind the scenes of municipal infrastructure. From training CDL drivers only to lose them to the private sector, to managing emergencies with understaffed crews, Todd explains why public works is at a breaking point — and why more leaders are making tough career transitions. This episode explores: Workf...

In this episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat, host Chad Smeltzer welcomes Natalie Deroock, the Senior Public Information Officer for Tucson Water. Natalie's multifaceted career journey, from academia to international diplomacy and ultimately public utilities, offers valuable insights into the intricacies of public information dissemination and community engagement. Her experiences emphasize...

In this episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast, host Chad Smeltzer welcomes Nick Egger, the Public Works Director for the City of Rosemount, Minnesota. The conversation dives into Nick's extensive involvement with the American Public Works Association (APWA), his journey into civil engineering, and the ongoing and future infrastructure projects in Rosemount that are shaping the city&#3...

This episode of the infrastructure hot seat, hosted by Chad Smeltzer, features an engaging discussion with Dr. Amir Alavi, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. The conversation goes into the intersection of infrastructure, metamaterials, and artificial intelligence, bringing to light significant advancements and potential future implications. As Dr. Alavi shares his journey and...

Kevin Frank is an accomplished wastewater process engineer with over two decades of experience in the field of civil infrastructure and environmental engineering. Since beginning his career in 2002 at the Scranton wastewater treatment plant in northeastern Pennsylvania, Kevin has honed his expertise in water quality and purification. He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering fr...

Stephanie Boyce is the currently serving Public Works Director in Mission, Kansas. With a career that took an unconventional turn, Boyce transitioned from being a school teacher to diving into public works. She started her journey in local government almost 17 years ago and climbed the ranks through various public works roles. Stephanie's commitment to learning and expanding her expertise has...

Scott Andrews, City Assistant Manager of Bakersfield, California, joins host Chad Smeltzer to discuss his 20 years of experience in public service. Scott shares how he got into local government and the mentors who helped shape his career. They also delve into the role of a city manager and the importance of engaging the community. Scott highlights the exciting developments happening in Bakersfield...

Justin Guerra is an experienced GIS and drone program manager currently serving at the Texas Rural Water Association. After completing his civil service as a United States Marine, Guerra leveraged his military precision and discipline into a career enhancing infrastructure problem-solving. With a rich background that includes military deployment to Afghanistan and humanitarian missions in Africa,...

In this episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast, host Chad Smeltzer interviews Todd Saums, the Commissioner of Water Distribution with the City of Toledo, Ohio. Saums shares his journey from starting as a laborer in construction to his current role, overseeing the city's water distribution. They discuss the challenges of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, including dealing with w...

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast, Eric Dundee shares his journey in the civil infrastructure space, particularly focusing on water and sewer operations. Listeners are given an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of managing a vital component of public works. As Eric and Chad Smeltzer discuss the intricacies of sewer district operations, they...

Micah Martin is the Deputy Director at Newport Beach, California, with a robust background in public works and construction. With a heritage that spans four generations in the industry, Micah has deep-seated roots in public infrastructure projects. His career began right out of high school when he joined a construction company, engaging in hard labor and operating equipment. Over time, Micah shift...

Gregory Sauter, President at WGI Engineering, joins Chad Smeltzer on the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast to discuss the importance of infrastructure and the challenges facing American cities. Sauter shares his journey into the industry, highlighting the need for innovation and a culture of change. He also discusses the labor and resource shortages in the construction industry and the role of techn...

"It's all about trust. I like to nurture customers and relationships." Jake Nanti, Regional Manager at HK Solutions Group, joins host Chad Smeltzer on the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast to discuss his journey into the infrastructure industry and the challenges of selling to government agencies. Jake shares his experience transitioning from construction to sales and emphasizes the im...

In this episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast, host Chad Smeltzer interviews Mackenzie App, the Regional Manager for the East Coast at Emmy Simpson Company. They discuss Mackenzie's journey into the infrastructure industry, the challenges faced by women in the field, and the changing landscape of business development in the digital age. Mackenzie also shares insights on the budget con...

John Musselman, Water Operations Supervisor for the city of Tucson, Arizona, joins host Chad Smelter on the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast to discuss his journey in the water industry and the challenges faced by water providers. John shares his experiences starting as a meter reader and progressing to his current role, highlighting the importance of hands-on experience and continuous learning in...

🏢 Learn about the future of water and sewer systems in American cities with Will Pickering, CEO at Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. Don't miss this insightful episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast. #Infrastructure #WaterSystems"

Ryan Mast, infrastructure partner and senior advisor at Sustainability Partners, joins host Chad Smeltzer on the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast to discuss the challenges facing American cities in terms of water, electricity, and infrastructure funding. Mast shares his experience working with FEMA during Hurricane Katrina and highlights the importance of comprehensive risk management and resilienc...

Welcome to another episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast, hosted by Chad Smeltzer. In today's episode, we have a special guest, Chris Evers, a seasoned professional with 27 years of experience in the infrastructure industry. Chris shares his insights on the current state of roads in America, the challenges of adopting new technologies in public works, and the exciting possibilities th...

Join us for a special anniversary edition of The Infrastructure Hot Seat as we host Michael Simpson, CEO of M.E. Simpson Co., Inc. Celebrating 40 years in the water and sewer industry, Mike brings a treasure trove of practical knowledge to the table. In this episode, we discuss the vital role his company plays in Water Loss Control, Asset Management, and Wastewater Services. With a team of over 80...

📌 About This Episode: In this must-listen episode of "The Infrastructure Hot Seat," host Chad engages in a riveting conversation with Janet Cann, a recently retired veteran with over 40 years in the water and wastewater industry. 🔍 What You'll Learn: The urgent challenges posed by aging infrastructure How technology, especially AI, is revolutionizing the industry The importance of...

In this episode, Jeff Pratt and Chad Smeltzer explore the vibrant culture that Ventura, CA offers both its employees and residents. They talk about how Ventura maintains vendor accountability through disbarment and how the city is a frontrunner in stormwater management. Notably, the federal government even relies on Ventura for crucial data. With over 100,000 website visits, the city has successfu...

In this episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast, host Chad Smeltzer sits down with Alan Dodd, the Director of Public Works for Fort Lauderdale. They discuss the pressing challenges and innovative solutions in the world of public infrastructure. From the impact of climate change and sea-level rise to the role of technology in modernizing public works, this episode covers it all. Key Topics:...

Are you struggling to get the funding you need for your community's infrastructure projects? Look no further! In this episode, we sit down with Shauna Urlacher, an expert in both engineering and grant writing, to discuss how you can secure FEMA grants for stormwater management. What You'll Learn: How to write a compelling grant application The shift in FEMA's funding approach and what...

In this compelling episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat, Chad Smeltzer sits down with Mario Guzman, a seasoned public works professional who shares his unique journey from the automotive industry to managing Florida's aging infrastructure. Mario dives into the role of data in making smarter decisions, the importance of a balanced workforce, and how public-private partnerships can be a game-c...

Join us in this eye-opening episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat, where we have a real and unfiltered conversation with Jeff Odoms, an expert in the infrastructure industry. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly shifting world of infrastructure and construction. We dive into the competitive landscape that cities face, the impact of federal funding on projects, the...