Local Gov Life

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Local Gov Life - United Front Episode 04: Marcela Piedra Advises “Never Stop Learning” Apr 16, 2018

Show notes

Marcela Piedra is the first female CAO of El Centro, California. As a 20-year veteran of local government, she has moved through a number of departments, including economic development and community services, before moving to the CAO position. With this extensive experience, plus her educational background, Piedra is a well-respected leader and role model. Piedra believes that having had a city manager that “really embraced diversity,” helped her with the confidence to step into the leadership role she now holds. Here are a few other highlights:

You have to believe in yourself first because if you don’t, how can you expect others to believe in you.
Remember, you are a role model for every woman in the community and beyond.
Be open to learning everything you possibly can; you have to be teachable no matter what you do.
We’re all going to have challenges, it’s the relationships you have built that help you get through the difficult times.

“To have an opportunity to change and impact people’s lives….and an opportunity to work with a group of people dedicated to what they do…how can I not love it?”

About ICMA

ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org

Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma
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LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma
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YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

Local Gov Life - United Front Episode 03: Think More Positively of Your Strengths Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

Gina Holt began her career in Springfield, Tennessee, as the assistant to the city manager. Now, 28 years later, she holds the top spot as the city's very first female city manager. In this episode of United Front, a special season of Local Gov Life, Holt opens up about her longstanding career in government (both private and public) and discusses what it has been like as a woman working in a male-dominated field.

Yes, at one point she was asked to retrieve a cup of coffee for her male colleagues, and no, it was never asked of her again. Here, she digs deep about why the confidence gap exists, and strongly suggests that "women need to think more positively of their strengths and just go for it, and get out there and aim high."

About ICMA

Local Gov Life - United Front Episode 02: Step Out of Your Box, Step Out of Your Office Mar 15, 2018

Show notes

Dana Muscott is the first female city manager of Bay City, Michigan. In this episode of United Front, a special season of Local Gov Life, Muscott opens up about the criticism she has received about her education credentials - and how she overcame it; the management of a big career and a family; how to remain grounded in the CAO role; as well as the importance of mentorship in the profession. She also discusses why she chooses a hands-on approach as a local government leader with both her employees and the community - stating that everyone needs to have a voice - "so step out of your box, step out of your office!"

About ICMA

Local Gov Life - United Front Episode 01: See What You Can Become Mar 05, 2018

Show notes

Bonnie Svrcek, city manager of Lynchburg, Virginia, is the first female city manager for her community. She also became the second woman ICMA president in ICMA's history. A true groundbreaker for women in the local government management profession. In this episode of United Front (powered by TownCloud), Svrcek opens up in the first half about her early career in the profession, talks about her time as ICMA president, and asks women to see what they can become as leaders in the profession. She also discusses women in the workplace, including the challenges and barriers to female leadership, the importance of inviting men to join the conversation about getting more women into the CAO role, building equity and inclusivity within the organization, sexual harassment, and more.

About ICMA

Local Gov Life - S02 Episode 07: Fighting the Threat of Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

Sitting as one of the lowest-lying areas in the state of Florida, the city of Miami Beach is very much aware that it is on the front lines of sea level rise. The impact of rising sea levels has pushed the city to spend millions of dollars on climate change strategies including elevating roads, raising sea walls, and installing pumps to push flood waters back into the Bay.

In this episode of Local Gov Life, ICMA member, chief resiliency officer, and assistant city manager of Miami Beach, Susanne Torriente, sits down with ICMA to give us a snapshot of Miami Beach's current infrastructure, discusses how residents take part in the fight against climate change, and provides great insight for other local governments planning to build rising sea-level resiliency programs in their community. Listen in to hear why this city is considered a leader in fighting the threat of climate change and rising sea levels.

About ICMA

Local Gov Life - S02 Episode 06: Resilience in the Aftermath of September 11th Feb 02, 2018

Show notes

We asked Patrick Malone, who has been a frequent contributor to PM Magazine if he would weigh in on the LocalGov Life Season 2 topic of resilient leadership in the face of crises and he did not disappoint. In this podcast, he reflects on the leadership lessons he learned firsthand in the wake of 9/11 and how he sees them being applied on a daily basis on the local government level.

Patrick Malone, Ph.D. is an executive-in-residence in American University’s Department of Public Administration and Policy, where he teaches courses in public sector leadership, executive problem solving, organizational analysis, action learning, leadership ethics, and public administration and policy. He also serves as the director of American University’s Key Executive Leadership Programs and is a 22-year veteran of the Department of Defense.

About ICMA

Local Gov Life - S02 Episode 05: An Earthquake and its Aftermath in New Zealand Dec 11, 2017

Show notes

The Canterbury Earthquake sequence from 2010 to 2012 became known as the worst natural disaster in the history of New Zealand. Though it struck first and hardest in September 2010, it was an aftershock six months later near Christ Church that proved to be most devastating. It claimed lives and property and the affected communities are still recovering seven years later. Waimakariri District Council Local Government Manager and ICMA member Simon Markham quickly found himself in an unexpected role: leading through the disaster and recovery. Though he was not an emergency management professional, he tapped his strong expertise in community engagement and communication to build community trust and resilience.

The Waimakariri District, which has a population of about 60,000, is part of greater Christ Church, a metropolitan area of 450,000. The earthquake caused widespread damage across Christchurch, killing 185 people and causing billions of dollars worth of property damage. Markham describes the problem of liquefaction, which occurred, producing around 400,000 tons of silt. In this episode of Local Gov Life, you’ll hear Markham’s firsthand account of the disaster and some of the universal lessons that can help others navigate the long recovery and restoration process.

About ICMA

Local Gov Life - S02 Episode 04: Navigating Through a Municipal Bankruptcy Nov 22, 2017

Show notes

Stockton, California, became a symbol of finacial disaster when the combination of a downward spiraling economy and politically expedient decisions led to a highly publicized Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing 2012. The upheaval caused by this crisis affected city staff members and residents and as City Manager Kurt Wilson put it, led to literally life and death decisions in some cases. Wilson describes how the crisis came about, and what steps were required for the city to become financially viable again, in this podcast based on a session held at the ICMA West Coast Summit last March.

Wilson explains that in navigating any crisis, a calm, steady presence can help alleviate the anxiety, confusion, and fear that is pervasive when the outcomes are unknown. He also suggests that experience is the best teacher in leading an organization through any type of disaster. While the effects of the bankruptcy will be felt for many years to come, Stockton was able to emerge from bankruptcy two years ago. In fact, the city is now among the most fiscally healthy cities of its size. According to analysts, the city made the right moves and is on the "right path."

About ICMA

Local Gov Life - S02 Episode 03: When a Tornado Strikes Nov 13, 2017

Show notes

It has been four years since one of the worst tornado outbreaks struck the state of Illinois. The rare event resulted in 20+ tornadoes, hundreds being injured, several fatalities, and millions of dollars' worth of damage.
In this episode of Local Gov Life, Tim Gleason, former city manager of Washington, Illinois, sits down with ICMA to discuss how he managed the crisis of an EF-4 tornado striking his community of 16,000 residents - the leadership lessons learned, the behind-the-scenes decisions made, and the emotions of that fateful November day.

Ultimately, the 2013 tornado was a lesson in being prepared for the worst and being able to make quick-thinking decisions. Four years later, has the community recovered?

You can listen to the episode by clicking the "play" button below or by downloading it in iTunes or Google Play Music. Subscribe now so you don't miss future episodes!
About ICMA

Local Gov Life - S02 Episode 02: When a Public Health Crisis Comes to Town Oct 30, 2017

Show notes

"We were managing the fear and the panic more than we were managing Ebola itself." In 2014, A. C. Gonzalez was Dallas city manager and Sana Syed was the public information officer. They took a look back at how they navigated through the crisis when the first confirmed U.S. case of Ebola surfaced in their city. The deadly disease had struck West Africa initially, killing more than 11,000 people. When a Dallas man traveling from Africa returned home and fell ill with symptoms, residents became so frightened, they were pulling children out of school and avoiding public venues. Before the crisis ended, two additional residents contracted the disease and city officials worked around the clock to keep everyone—from city staff to medical professionals from the Centers for Disease Control—informed. The city even had to find a way to test and house the dog of one of the patients.

Gonzalez looks at how the crisis impacted the city in unprecedented ways, in this episode of the Local Gov Life Podcast. He and Syed discuss the many ways they engaged the community and civic groups as well as how having strong relationships helped pave the way in uncharted territory.

About ICMA

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