That's So Auburn! - TopPodcast.com

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Next Step Auburn? Meet Our Summer Interns! Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Hello and welcome to That's So Auburn! I'm Nancy Backus, Mayor of the City of Auburn.

One of the things I love most about local government is just how many different ways there are to serve a community. You can help support local businesses, connect residents with important services, design parks, maintain streets, plan for Auburn's future and that barely scratches the surface.

This summer, like the ones before it, more than a dozen interns have been discovering that firsthand through Next Step Auburn.

Our interns are working in departments across the City, learning from our employees and contributing to real projects that matter to our community. They've brought energy and some great new perspectives to City Hall and beyond, and we are very happy to have them here.

I recently had the chance to spend some time with the group and answer their questions about my own path into public service, what it's like to serve as mayor and some of the experiences this work has given me over the years. But today, I get to turn the questions around and hear more about their experiences, with two interns – and their manager – in particular.

Joining me are Jillian Orm, who is working with our Economic Development team, and Narina Pogosian, who is working with Human Services.

We are also joined by Human Resources Manager Melissa Medisch, who has helped guide Next Step Auburn and support our interns and departments throughout the summer.

The program will continue through late August, so this is a perfect time to talk about what Jillian and Narina have worked on, what they've learned and what they hope to accomplish before the summer wraps up!

The stage is set: Auburn's theater program, BRAVO and the future Auburn Avenue Theater Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Hello and welcome to That's So Auburn! I'm Nancy Backus, Mayor of the City of Auburn, and today's episode is all about the middle part of our official Parks department's name – I'm talking of course about the arts! Live theater, community performances and the future of one of Auburn's most beloved downtown gathering places.

Today I'm joined by two people who help make so much of that work happen: Allison Hyde, the City of Auburn's Arts Supervisor, and Jim Kleinbeck, our Theater Program Coordinator.

Allison helps lead the City's arts programming, from public art and gallery exhibitions to events, performances and opportunities that connect residents with creativity throughout Auburn. And Jim works closely with our theater programs, performers, directors, volunteers and audiences to help bring live productions to life. Not to mention the summer camps with Auburn's youngest thespians.

And of course, this is such a fun time to have this conversation, because there is a lot happening.

BRAVO is currently preparing for Auburn Community Jr. Players' production of Disney's Newsies Jr., with performances coming up Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m. at Auburn Riverside Theater.

We're also looking ahead to the new Auburn Avenue Theater project downtown. For so many years, the Auburn Avenue Theater was a place where people laughed, listened, watched films, performed, gathered and made memories. After the original theater was damaged and ultimately came down, we've been busy working and building toward something very meaningful: a new theater that honors that history while giving Auburn a modern performing arts space for the future.

This project is about more than just a building, of course. It's about downtown, about local artists, about families, about young performers getting their first chance on stage, and about creating a place where our community can come together again. And it should be opening sometime next year!

Listen to the full episode and consider liking and subscribing!

A new layer of government relations, policy advising at the City of Auburn Jun 16, 2026

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Hello and welcome to That's So Auburn! I'm Nancy Backus, Mayor of the City of Auburn, and today's episode is about government relations, which, I know, may sound like a very official title. But really, it's about relationships and advocacy, problem-solving, and making sure Auburn's voice is heard in the rooms where decisions are being made.

Today I'm joined by Megan Utemei, the City of Auburn's Government Relations Policy Advisor. Megan works closely with me, our City Council, city leadership, regional partners, state legislators, federal offices and community organizations to help advance Auburn's priorities. Megan began at the City just over two months ago and she stepped into a brand new role at our city.

And it couldn't have come at a better time, because the work she does matters. Whether we're talking about transportation, public safety, housing, infrastructure, economic development, or funding for major city projects, Megan's role is to help connect Auburn's needs with the people and resources that can help move them forward.

Megan brings 10 years of experience working on federal and regional issues. A major part of her career was spent working with U.S. Senator Patty Murray's office in both Washington, D.C. and Seattle, where she helped secure federal funding and support for local elected officials, community-based organizations and stakeholders across King County.

She has also worked on immigration issues as a congressional liaison to the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security. Megan earned her Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington, focusing on policy implementation at the federal, state and local levels through leadership. And outside of work, Megan was born and raised on the islands of Guam and Palau, and enjoys karaoke, reading, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Summer wildfire season, World Cup planning with Auburn's Emergency Manager May 29, 2026

Show notes

We welcome Matthew Colpitts back to the show to talk about emergencies (again)! Matthew and his team are hard at work prepping for the summer season, which includes smoke and wildfires, drought conditions, and oh yeah, this little thing called the World Cup... With games scheduled to start in June through July in our region, we're expecting signficant traffic impact, yes even all the way down here in Auburn.

Matthew Colpitts brings more than 20 years of experience in emergency services, emergency management, safety, security, and leadership. His work has included emergency planning, incident response, preparedness training, community safety, and crisis recovery.

Matthew earned his doctorate from Fielding Graduate University, where his research focused on emergency management in educational institutions. He is also a Certified Protection Professional through ASIS and holds TEEX's Infrastructure Protection Certificate, FEMA's HSEEP certificate, FEMA's Professional Development Series certificate, and several advanced incident command and emergency management certifications.

In addition to his professional work, Matthew has been active in local and community organizations, including service, civic, and arts-focused groups. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, learning new things, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Dungeons & Dragons. He is also a proud first-generation college graduate from rural Maine and, at home, is part of an adorable family that includes a cat named Mrs. Scraggles.

A lifelong legacy at Auburn's Senior Center Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Hello and welcome to That's So Auburn! I'm Nancy Backus, Mayor of the City of Auburn, and today's episode is a very special one.

I'm joined by a City of Auburn staff member who has dedicated nearly four decades of her life to serving Auburn's older adults and helping shape one of the most welcoming and meaningful places in our community: the Auburn Senior Activity Center.

Radine Lozier began her career with the City of Auburn in June of 1986, right after graduating from Central Washington University with a degree in Gerontology. What started as her first "grown-up" job became a life's calling. Over the past 40 years, Radine has helped create programs, community, connection, and care for generations of Auburn seniors and their families.

But if you ask Radine, she'll be the first to tell you that while she spent her career serving older adults, they were the ones who taught her how to live. Through life's biggest moments -- joy, grief, celebration, change -- the people of the Senior Center have been part of her story, just as she has been part of theirs.

Now, as Radine prepares to retire from the City of Auburn and, in her own words, transition into her new role as a Senior Center participant, we wanted to take time to celebrate her remarkable career, the lives she's touched, and the legacy she leaves behind.

Talking fire safety, preparedness, with VRFA Chief Brad Thompson Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Mayor Nancy Backus is joined this episode by Valley Regional Fire Authority Chief Brad Thompson! Why is he on the show today? Because we want to talk about fire safety, fire preparedness, and fill you in on some of the recent happenings at the fire authority, which services Auburn in addition to Algona and Pacific.

Chief Thompson began his firefighting career in 1999, at the then-Auburn Fire Department. Since that time, he's worked his way through the ranks, gaining experience in nearly every facet of the fire service – from public education to technical rescue to planning and logistics. He was appointed Fire Chief in 2021, and brings with him not only a deep understanding of our local communities, but also a strong focus on collaboration, communication, and innovation.

He's here today to share some insights, offer some practical tips to keep you and your family safe, and give us a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work being done by the VRFA.

How Auburn prepares for every emergency under the mountain Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Hello and welcome to episode six of our third season of That's So Auburn! In this episode we're joined by two guests in our City of Auburn Emergency Management division, brand new Emergency Manager Matthew Colpitts and Emergency Management Coordinator Tyler Turner.

Matthew is just a few weeks into the job, having joined us July 1, but he brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his over 20 years of experience in emergency management. He earned his doctorate in 2014, with a dissertation focused on senior leadership's perceptions of emergency management in higher education. Previously, he served as the Emergency Preparedness Manager at the University of Washington Bothell, where he oversaw campus emergency operations, preparedness training, incident response, and recovery efforts. In his free time, Matt enjoys traveling and learning new things. A fun fact about him: he's a proud nerd who still plays Dungeons & Dragons! Which I can't wait to ask him about.

And Tyler has over 15 years of cumulative Emergency Management & Emergency Services experience. He received his undergrad in Homeland Security & Emergency Management in 2015 from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. He started with the City of Auburn in 2014, and prior to that, worked as a Paramedic throughout the state of Alaska, including remote areas on the North Slope and on offshore vessels in the Arctic. Outside of work, Tyler enjoys spending time with his Wife, Molly, and two Daughters, Emersyn & Maisie.

Give the episode a listen and don't forget to like, share and subscribe!

Meet the Magic Makers: The Women Behind Auburn's Biggest Events Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Hello and welcome to episode four of our third season of That's So Auburn! I'm Nancy Backus, Mayor of the City of Auburn, and today I'm joined by two guests, Interim Events Supervisor Kristy Pachciarz and Events Coordinator Amanda Valdez! They're the brainpower behind many of our events organized by our Parks, Arts and Recreation department, such as Veterans Parade, Petpalooza, KidsDay, Lighted Santa Parade and of course, the Auburn Farmers Market.

Kristy has been with the City of Auburn since 2006. It wasn't long after she joined our ranks that she created Petpalooza, one of the premiere pet-related events in South King County, let alone the State of Washington. She's also had a hand in creating half a dozen others, like Daddy Daughter Date Night and Peter Cotton Trail.

She organizes the Veterans Parade each and every year, alongside a handful of other major events, so she's quite busy just about every day of the year.

Amanda joined the City of Auburn in 2015 and since becoming a coordinator in 2016, has overseen the Auburn Farmers Market each and every summer. She's helped shepherd the market into a premiere shopping experience for our Auburn residents and visitors, bringing fresh produce, craft-made items, delicious sweets and more to thousands of our patrons. She also oversees our Lighted Santa Parade, one of my favorite events of the year. I just love seeing all of the people march down to City Hall and stand in awe as our tree lighter flips the switch.

Give us a listen and don't forget to like, share and subscribe!

Catching up with Green River College President Dr. Suzanne Johnson Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to episode 3 of our third season of That's so Auburn! I'm joined today – again – by Green River College President Dr. Suzanne Johnson to talk higher education, new initiatives, the changing educational landscape, and so much more.

Dr. Johnson joined Green River College in 2017 and in those 8 years, has been a major driving force in keeping higher education a backbone of the Auburn community. Under her stewardship, Green River College has thrived and continues to be one of the premiere community and technical colleges in the State of Washington. And might I add – it's my daughter and I's alma mater!

"Never Too Cool for School" with Dr. Alan Spicciati May 02, 2025

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