The Clear Voice

Latest Episodes:

#82 - Put Your Mask on First: Wellness Starts at the Top Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Wes Blair, Chief of Police at Memphis International Airport, joins The Clear Voice to talk about his career across multiple states, the move from traditional municipal policing into airport law enforcement, and why wellness has to start at the top.

Wes shares how airport policing is still police work, but in a very different environment with travelers, tenants, airlines, federal regulations, security expectations, and customer service all layered together.

The conversation also turns to officer health and wellness, the old law enforcement culture that kept many people from talking about what they were carrying, and why leaders must model the same care and support they expect from their teams.

Read Wes’s article for Clear Career Professionals:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/authentic-leadership-taking-care-of-ourselves

Learn more about Wes and Blair Advisor Group:
https://blairadvisorgroup.com/

Connect with Wes on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-blair/

Chapters:

00:00 Why Wellness Became Personal
03:09 Wes Blair’s Law Enforcement Background
06:19 Federal Air Marshal Experience
08:08 Returning to Community Policing
11:09 Knowing When It Is Time to Leave
12:40 Moving Across States and Organizations
16:11 Leadership, Uniforms, and Culture
19:33 Municipal Policing vs. Airport Policing
22:12 Airport Reporting Structure and Leadership
24:49 Relationships Across the Organization
28:18 Officer Health and Wellness
36:45 Annual Mental Health Check-Ins
41:22 Put Your Mask On First
46:36 Blair Advisor Group and Leadership Training
48:07 Advice for Public Sector Leaders

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.
Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.
In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#81 – Frisco, Texas Fire Chief PositionCast™ Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

The City of Frisco, Texas, is searching for its next Fire Chief.

In this PositionCast™, James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese are joined by Frisco City Manager Wes Pierson, Deputy City Manager E.A. Hoppe, and Interim Fire Chief Clay Carpenter for an inside look at the department, the community, and what Frisco needs from its next fire service leader.

Frisco’s next chief will inherit a high-performing department with significant resources, talented employees, a strong command staff, and a culture built around teamwork, innovation, and high expectations. The conversation covers department operations, continued growth, EMS, emergency management, Frisco’s SAFER system, organizational culture, and the leadership qualities that will matter most in the selection process.

Interested candidates can find the official recruitment brochure, position details, and application instructions on the Current Opportunities page at ClearCareerPro.com.

Chapters

00:00 – Why This Is a Unique Fire Chief Opportunity
00:37 – Welcome to the PositionCast™
02:38 – Meet Frisco’s Leadership Team
06:41 – Leadership Philosophy: Citizens First
08:38 – The Culture of Team Frisco
11:09 – What Frisco Needs From Its Next Fire Chief
15:29 – Inside the Frisco Fire Department
18:13 – Growth, New Stations & Future Resources
19:44 – ISO 1, Accreditation & High Standards
21:27 – Living, Working & Leading in Frisco
29:35 – Emergency Management & the SAFER System
33:55 – Operational Challenges & Opportunities
38:06 – The Clear Recruitment Process
41:42 – Final Advice for Candidates
44:46 – Learn More & Apply

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#80 - Better Leadership Starts With Better Followers Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Organizations spend enormous time and money developing leaders, but how much attention do we give to developing better followers?

Rick Chambers, author of Inspired: A Story of Leading, Following, and Changing and creator of Followership Works, joins James Groom to explore why followership may be one of the most overlooked pieces of organizational success. Rick explains how strong followers use critical thinking, self management, coachability, managing up, and constructive dissent to help their leaders, their teams, and themselves become more effective.

The conversation explores why followership is not about being a yes person, how employees can influence an organization without formal authority, and why learning to follow well can help prepare someone to lead. Rick and James also discuss respectfully challenging a boss, navigating poor decisions, building trust, knowing when it may be time to leave, and the responsibility every employee has to help advance the organization’s mission.

Rick closes with the trim tab analogy, a reminder that even someone without the title or authority can help turn the entire ship.

Chapters:

00:00 The Power of the Trim Tab
03:05 What Is Followership?
04:53 Learning to Influence Without Authority
09:52 Why We Train Leaders but Not Followers
14:30 Managing Up and Constructive Dissent
28:44 How to Respectfully Disagree With Your Boss
34:03 When All Else Fails
40:47 Finding Your Trim Tab Opportunity

Connect with Rick Chambers:

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/followership/

Followership Works
https://followership.works

Inspired: A Story of Leading, Following, and Changing
https://amzn.to/4zpSe7y

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#79 - Denison Director of Development Services PositionCast™ Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

The City of Denison, Texas, is searching for its next Director of Development Services during a period of significant growth and development.

In this PositionCast™, Interim City Manager Renee’ Waggoner discusses the opportunity, Denison’s leadership culture, the Development Services team, and what the successful candidate will need to bring to the role.

Topics include:

• Leading planning and zoning, building permitting and inspections, neighborhood services and code compliance, and historic preservation.

• Managing rapid growth while protecting Denison’s historic character, established neighborhoods, and quality of life.

• The approximately 3,200 acre Preston Harbor development along Lake Texoma and other major growth occurring throughout the community.

• Building strong relationships with employees, developers, residents, City Council, and community partners.

• The leadership style, experience, and approach Denison is seeking in its next director.

Salary Range: $150,000 to $170,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

First Review: August 24, 2026.

Learn more and apply:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/denison-texas-director-of-development-services-job-posting

00:00 Denison Is the Right Step
01:30 Growth and Opportunity in Denison
02:49 Leadership and Culture at the City
08:04 Managing Growth While Protecting Denison
11:48 The Director of Development Services Role
16:25 Preston Harbor and What’s Ahead
19:39 What Makes Denison Special
27:37 The First 90 Days and Ideal Candidate

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#78 - Rowlett, Texas City Manager PositionCast™ Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

The City of Rowlett, Texas is searching for its next City Manager.

In this PositionCast™, Rowlett Mayor Jeff Winget joins James Groom, The Clear Voice host, and Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals and lead recruiter for the search, for an in depth conversation about the community, the organization, and the leadership opportunity ahead.

Rowlett is a community of nearly 70,000 residents on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The city is entering an important period of transition, with significant opportunities in economic development, organizational culture, infrastructure, capital projects, and community growth.

Mayor Winget discusses the City Council’s priorities for the next City Manager, including rebuilding trust, strengthening communication, filling key leadership vacancies, developing a positive organizational culture, and moving major projects forward. He also explains why economic development will be critical to Rowlett’s future, including opportunities at Sapphire Bay and in the North Shore area.

The conversation also explores several funded capital projects, including a new public safety building, animal shelter, and improvements to Herfurth Park.

Throughout the episode, Mayor Winget emphasizes the importance of humility, honesty, empathy, communication, and a willingness to listen. The City is looking for a leader who wants to put down roots in Rowlett, build relationships with employees and residents, and help shape the community for years to come.

The salary range is $285,000 to $315,000, with a competitive benefits package.

Applications are open through August 28, 2026.

Learn more about the City Manager opportunity and apply:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/rowlett-texas-city-manager-job-posting

00:00 Introduction
03:04 Why This Moment Matters for Rowlett
07:12 Leadership, Council, and Community
11:30 Priorities for the Next City Manager
17:14 Economic Development and Rowlett’s Future
21:25 Capital Projects and Growth Opportunities
24:59 Organizational Culture and Rebuilding Trust
28:03 Living and Working in Rowlett
37:40 The Candidate Rowlett Is Looking For
41:21 Why Experienced City Managers Should Consider Rowlett
43:26 Salary, Benefits, and Recruitment Process
47:20 Final Message to Candidates

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#77 - Plano Grace: Protecting a Community Through Crisis Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

This episode is dedicated to Zackery Mehlman, July 19, 2004 to March 22, 2021, and the more than 350,000 lives lost to the opioid crisis. May their memories strengthen our commitment to preventing further loss.

This episode includes discussions of mental health, substance abuse, fentanyl, overdose deaths, and family trauma.

Listener discretion is advised.

A community crisis cannot be solved by one department, one program, or one enforcement strategy.

Aubrey D. Paul, also known as A.D. Paul, joins James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese to discuss the experiences behind his memoir, Plano Grace. Aubrey is a retired Plano police sergeant and longtime crisis intervention leader whose career placed him at the center of Plano’s response to heroin addiction and overdose deaths during the 1990s.

Aubrey shares how law enforcement, city leadership, schools, hospitals, churches, treatment providers, and other community partners came together during the crisis. He also explains why transparency, collaboration, and treating every person with dignity remain essential when communities confront addiction, mental illness, and other complex challenges.

The conversation explores the continued fight against fentanyl, the development of crisis intervention programs, the importance of Narcan access, and the role municipal leaders play in supporting long-term solutions. Aubrey also discusses the personal loss, family struggles, redemption, and faith that shaped his life and inspired him to write Plano Grace.

📘 Purchase Plano Grace on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3TVWzPs

00:00 Dignity and Respect in Law Enforcement
00:16 Introduction and Content Advisory
02:28 Aubrey D. Paul’s Journey into Law Enforcement
05:07 Leadership and the Growth of Plano
08:13 The Story Behind Plano Grace
14:02 How Plano Responded to a Community Crisis
18:17 Addiction Then and Now
23:30 Communication, Transparency, and the Media
26:29 Encouragement for Frustrated Officers
31:02 Helping a Loved One Facing Addiction
34:35 The Development of Crisis Intervention Teams
39:03 Community Partnerships and Jail Diversion
42:06 Investing in Long-Term Solutions
44:24 Narcan and Overdose Prevention
46:08 Aubrey’s Final Message and Faith Journey
48:53 Continuing to Serve with Purpose
49:43 Closing and Resources

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#76 - Next Meters Is Making Smart Water Beautifully Simple Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Ben Jarrett has spent his career around water, first as a professional bass fisherman, then in the boating industry, and now as a Regional Sales Director for Next Meters USA.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, Ben joins James Groom to discuss his unconventional career journey and the lessons he learned from fishing, competition, hard work, and conservation.

The conversation then moves into the challenges facing municipal water utilities. Ben explains how aging meters can miss usage, how hidden leaks can lead to unexpectedly high bills, and how smart water meters give utilities and customers faster access to accurate information.

They also discuss water scarcity, infrastructure planning, meter replacement, customer satisfaction, and the importance of selecting technology that employees can actually understand and use. Ben shares what communities should consider when moving from manual meter reading or drive-by systems to advanced metering infrastructure.

For Next Meters, the goal is simple: provide utilities with powerful technology while making smart water beautifully simple.

Chapters

00:57 Introduction and Ben’s Career Journey

03:02 From Professional Bass Fishing to the Water Industry

05:54 Work Ethic, Preparation, and Career Lessons

08:29 Meeting Your Heroes and Competing at the Highest Level

10:22 Conservation and Protecting Water Resources

12:07 Water Scarcity and the Role of Smart Metering

14:52 Finding Leaks and Water Loss Faster

16:53 Customer Satisfaction and Usage Awareness

21:13 Aging Meters and Lost Utility Revenue

23:36 Better Data for Rates and Infrastructure Planning

25:09 Moving from Manual Reading to Smart Metering

27:36 Implementing and Maintaining a Smart Meter System

31:10 Choosing the Right Metering Technology

33:25 Why Software and Usability Matter

35:58 Making Smart Water Beautifully Simple

40:41 Encouragement for Utility Professionals

Connect with Ben

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-jarrett-288969108/

Email: bjarrett@nextmeters.com

Phone: 903-387-3550

Learn More About Next Meters

https://nextmeters.com/

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#75 - Modern Infrastructure Mapping with BHC Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

What if a city could inspect roads, drainage systems, water tanks, utilities, and other hard-to-reach infrastructure faster, safer, and with more detail than a traditional field survey?

In this episode of The Clear Voice, Host James Groom talks with Craig Kerkhoff, PE and Dr. Robert Hendricks of Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP about how LiDAR, drones, remote sensing, 3D mapping, and artificial intelligence are changing municipal engineering.

They explain how LiDAR creates detailed 3D models that help cities document existing conditions, improve worker safety, speed up surveys, inspect infrastructure, and support future projects. The conversation also explores how cities can turn raw data into useful information and better decisions.

Topics include LiDAR technology, drone-based surveys, digital mapping, elevated storage tank inspections, pavement analysis, municipal asset identification, and the future of AI in city infrastructure.

Learn more about Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP: https://bhcllp.com

Contact Craig Kerkhoff: ckerkhoff@bhcllp.com

00:00 Introduction to Innovative Infrastructure Inspection
02:15 Meet the Experts: Craig and Robert
04:28 The Role of BHC in Municipal Engineering
07:00 Transitioning from Geology to Engineering
08:19 The Power of LiDAR Technology
09:03 Understanding LiDAR: How It Works
11:32 Creating 3D Maps for Cities
13:03 Improving Survey Speed and Safety
15:14 Eliminating Red Tape with Drone Surveys
16:59 Rapid Data Collection for Municipal Projects
17:55 How LiDAR Works in Dense Environments
18:55 Real-World LiDAR Applications
25:59 From Data to Information to Understanding
33:24 AI, Digital Twins, and the Future of City Mapping
38:06 Advice for Public Works Leaders
40:51 How to Connect with BHC

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#74 - Getting to the Point with Justin Atherton Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

In Episode #74 of The Clear Voice, host James Groom sits down with Justin Atherton, President of Training and Operations at Proactive Leadership, bestselling author of How to Get to the Damn Point, and a nationally recognized leadership and investigative interviewing instructor.

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in corrections, patrol, investigations, SWAT, supervision, and leadership development, Justin shares practical strategies for becoming a more effective communicator and leader. The conversation explores why clarity builds confidence, how supervisors can coach employees without creating dependence, and why emotional regulation goes far beyond the traditional concept of emotional intelligence.

James and Justin also discuss cognitive interviewing, building rapport, avoiding memory contamination, creating organizational buy-in, and helping employees develop the confidence to make sound decisions on their own.

Whether you work in law enforcement, local government, human resources, investigations, or another leadership role, this episode offers practical tools for communicating more clearly and leading more effectively.

Topics discussed include:

• Why clarity is a leadership obligation
• The Point–Why–Context communication framework
• Coaching employees to become confident decision-makers
• Building trust through clear and authentic communication
• Emotional regulation, emotional vocabulary, agility, and resilience
• Cognitive interviewing and avoiding memory contamination
• Building rapport during difficult interviews and investigations
• Creating buy-in during organizational change
• Developing future leaders through coaching and accountability

Chapters

00:00 Preview
00:26 Introduction to Leadership and Communication
02:45 Justin's Journey Through Law Enforcement
05:18 Why Communication Is a Leadership Skill
07:49 Lessons from Corrections and Patrol
10:28 Becoming a Leader Instead of Just Doing the Job
14:32 Clarity Is a Leadership Obligation
16:08 Confidence vs. Competence in Leadership
19:23 Creating Organizational Buy-In
22:47 Coaching Without Micromanaging
27:45 Developing Independent Decision-Makers
28:26 The Cognitive Interview and Better Conversations
36:02 Emotional Regulation Beyond Emotional Intelligence
40:40 Justin's Favorite Leadership Emotions
43:28 Inside How to Get to the Damn Point
48:36 Where to Find Justin's Book and Training
49:19 Final Leadership Advice
50:23 Outro

Learn more about Proactive Leadership:
https://proactiveleader.com

Purchase How to Get to the Damn Point:
https://a.co/d/08C3Gqlo

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

#73 - Chief of Police | Pampa, Texas PositionCast™ Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Clear Voice, we highlight the Chief of Police opportunity in Pampa, Texas. Host and recruiter James Groom visits with City Manager Shane Stokes and Assistant City Manager Dustin Miller about the community, the police department, the city’s leadership culture, and the type of servant leader Pampa is seeking for its next Chief of Police.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Pampa Chief of Police Opportunity
02:51 Meet City Manager Shane Stokes
03:50 Meet Assistant City Manager Dustin Miller
06:20 Leadership Philosophy and Servant Leadership
08:23 Working with the Mayor and City Commission
09:56 Mission Statement, Absolutes, and Organizational Culture
12:14 One City Team: Collaboration Across Departments
15:20 About the Pampa Police Department
17:51 Motors, Dispatch, and Community Trust
20:15 Department Strengths and Current Challenges
21:43 Key Public Safety and Community Partnerships
24:24 Welcome Home: Life in Pampa
27:32 Recreation, Events, and Quality of Life
32:21 What Pampa Wants in Its Next Police Chief
36:01 How Candidates Can Apply
38:27 Final Thoughts from Dustin Miller and Shane Stokes
39:57 Closing Remarks

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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