GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government - Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL)

Latest Episodes:

#707 Using Artificial Intelligence to Empower Public Servants with Jorge Valens, Miami-Dade County, FL Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

AI meets local government. Jorge Valens, Innovation Manager for Miami-Dade County, FL, joined the podcast to talk about the opportunities artificial intelligence represents for local government organizations and his recent article on the topic. He talked about how these tools can improve the efficiency of subject matter experts and allow organizations to test ideas quickly. He shared examples of how they use AI and human centered design together in Miami-Dade County. He also discussed the skills needed and the importance of skepticism and ethics in using AI.

Host: Ben Kittelson

#706 Maintaining Good Government During Transitions with Jessica Carrero, East Hartford, CT Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Jessica Carrero, Operations Project Manager for the Town of East Hartford, Connecticut joined the podcast to discuss project management and ensuring operations continue when organizations go through changes. She shared her experience during mayoral transitions, how standard operating procedures helped her succeed during those transitions, and how to navigate tension between new ideas and current practices.

Host: Marissa Baum

#705 Increasing Representation with Amber Cabrera and Maylee De Jesús, Local Government Hispanic Network Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Amber Cabrera. Senior Assistant to the City Manager for City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Maylee De Jesús, City Clerk for the City of Boynton Beach, Florida joined to podcast to discuss increasing representation in local government. They shared recent efforts they have worked on for Latinos in Florida Local Government, advice for the next generation, and how to get involved with the Local Government Hispanic Network.

This episode was recorded at the 2025 ICMA Annual Conference in Tampa, FL.

Host: Meredith Reynolds

#704 Development and Customer Service with JC Hudgison, Tampa, FL Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

JC Hudgison, Chief Building Official for the City of Tampa, Florida rejoined the podcast to discuss development, technology, and process improvement. He talked about how the City responded to and has been recovering from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in 2024. He shared how the City has worked to improve customer service through process improvement and how they are carefully integrate artificial intelligence into their plan review workflow. He also reflected on local government trends from the last 10 years.

This episode was recorded from the 2025 ICMA Conference in Tampa, FL.

Host: Ben Kittelson

#703 Staying Authentic with Aarón Zavala, Pleasanton, CA Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Aarón Zavala, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Pleasanton, California joined the podcast to discuss his role with the City. He talked about the work he does for the City and his career goals moving forward. He also shared how he remains authentic to himself as he serves the public.

Host: Lauren Palmer

#702 The Mayor Has a Hammer and Other Poetry with Jim Schutz, JMSB Strategies Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Jim Schutz, a Principal at JMSB Strategies joined the podcast to discuss his transition from a City Manager to poetry author. He shared how he decided to transition into consulting and how he got into local government poetry. Plus he talked about his favorite poem and other highlights from The Mayor Has a Hammer, a book of poetry on the everyday heroism of local government.

Host: Meredith Reynolds

#701 Leading ICMA and the Roots of Professional Government with Julia Novak, ICMA Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Julia Novak, the CEO and Executive Director of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), rejoined the podcast to discuss her new role at ICMA. She shared how the organization is adapting after reduced federal grants for international work. She discussed how she has engaged with members and how the Board is revamping the strategic plan. She talked about why the history of public administration is important to the profession and how the role of a Manager has evolved. She also reflected on local government trends from the last 10 years.

This episode was recorded from the 2025 ICMA Conference in Tampa, FL.

Host: Ben Kittelson

#700 An ICMA Conference Recap, Leadership, Urban Revitalization, and Hot Wings - GovLove Island Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

GovLove Co-hosts Meredith and Ben were joined by several friends of the pod to recap the 2025 ICMA Conference. Tom Modica is the City Manager at the City of Long Beach, CA, April Walker is the Assistant City Manager at the City of Long Beach, CA, Jackie Wehmeyer is the Senior Director of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs at City of Parkland, FL, and Amie Hendrix is the City Manager at the City of Geneva, NY. They discussed highlights from Tampa, downtown revitalization, and navigating the challenges of partisanship and politics. Panelists also shared insights on lessons learned, their favorite sessions, and key takeaways.

This episode was recorded from the 2025 ICMA Conference in Tampa, FL.

Panel: Tom Modica, April Walker, Jackie Wehmeyer, Amie Hendrix, Meredith Reynolds, and Ben Kittelson

#699 Parks Commissioner to City Council Member with Mitchell Silver, Raleigh, NC Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Mitchell Silver, City Council Member for the City of Raleigh, North Carolina rejoined the podcast to talk about the transition from working as a staff member in local government to becoming an elected official. He reflected on his work as Parks Commissioner for the City of New York and the decision to run for elected office. He discussed the challenges of going from a staff expert to a member of a governing body and balancing the needs of constituents with all the different needs of an organization. He also reflected on local government trends from the last 10 years.

Host: Ben Kittelson

#698 Cohesive Planning and Community Growth in Downers Grove, IL with with Jason Zawila and John Houseal Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Four plans in one. Jason Zawila, Planning Manager at the Village of Downers Grove, Illinois and John Houseal, Partner at Houseal Lavigne joined the podcast to discuss the APA Award-Winning Village of Downers Grove Comprehensive Plan update. They discussed the concept of total community development and how the effort updated four plans at the same time, the Village's Comprehensive Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Environmental Sustainability Plan, and Downtown and Fairview Streetscapes Plan. They also talked about how the community was engaged during the process.

This episode was recorded at the American Planning Association – Illinois Chapter 2025 Annual Conference.

Host: Dan Bolin and Andy Cross

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