The FCCMA Podcast

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Episode #217: Chad Edwards – Rebuilding Trust and Community After the East Palestine Derailment Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Chad Edwards, Borough Manager of Breckenridge, PA, joins host Steve Vancore to recount one of the most extraordinary disaster recovery challenges in recent municipal history. Before his current role, Chad served as village manager of East Palestine, Ohio, stepping into the position in the immediate aftermath of the 2023 train derailment that sent toxic chemicals spilling across the community, just outside city limits, with no village manager in place at the time it occurred.

Chad reflects on the complex task of rebuilding a community divided between economic recovery and ongoing health concerns, and shares the leadership lessons he took from navigating a crisis not of his making. Steve and Chad also discuss how Pennsylvania's municipal classification system works and what it means to lead through disaster when a community's trust and health hang in the balance.

Episode #216: Heidi Siegel – Mastering Small Government in Jupiter Inlet Colony Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Heidi Siegel, Town Manager of Jupiter Inlet Colony, joins host Steve Vancore to offer a window into one of Florida's most unique municipalities. Founded in 1959 on the northern edge of Palm Beach County, the town is entirely residential — 267 homes and between 400 and 600 residents depending on the season — with a small but dedicated staff and a concierge-level approach to local government.

Heidi joined the town in August 2024 as its first-ever town manager following a change to the town's charter. She and Steve discuss what it means to be a small-government specialist (not just a jack-of-all-trades but a master of all trades) and the distinctive demands and rewards of serving a tight-knit, high-expectation community.

Episode #215: Michael Pleus – Leadership Lessons from Harvard's Senior Executive Program Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Michael Pleus, City Manager of DeLand, joins host Steve Vancore to share his experience as an ICMA scholarship recipient for the Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government at Harvard University. Michael describes the month-long program in Cambridge, where participants spend the first two weeks building a leadership toolkit before applying it as consultants to real-world case studies brought by their cohort.

With 26 years at the City of DeLand — 18 of them as city manager — Michael reflects on the value of learning alongside peers from 19 states, and how exposure to the wide variety of challenges facing communities across the country sharpened his own approach to local government leadership.

Episode #214: Keith Touchberry – Balancing Space Industry Growth with Community Needs Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

Keith Touchberry, City Manager of Cape Canaveral, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of governing a city at the center of America's space industry. Keith shares how economic activity generated by space programs has reshaped the community, while introducing new concerns about noise and vibrations and their implications for building codes and infrastructure.

Before becoming city manager, Keith served as police chief in Fellsmere, and he reflects on how crisis management skills from law enforcement translate directly into city government leadership. He and Steve also explore the role of ethics in public service, with Keith emphasizing that strong leadership means choosing the hard, right decision over the easy wrong one — and that protecting human health and safety must always come first.

Episode #213: Sarah Campbell – Property Taxes, Wage Compression, and the Role of Transparent Budgeting Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Sarah Campbell, City Manager of Fernandina Beach and current FCCMA president, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss some of the most pressing financial challenges facing Florida municipalities. With her term ending in May 2026, Sarah reflects on her advocacy work, including testimony before the Florida legislature on how property taxes fund local government and the importance of transparency in the budget-building process.

Sarah and Steve also dig into the ripple effects of the state-mandated minimum wage increase, particularly the wage compression it created among frontline workers, and what that means for cities trying to attract and retain talent.

Episode #212: Ifo Pili – From the NFL to City Hall: A Unique Path to Municipal Leadership Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Ifo Pili, City Manager of West Valley City, Utah, joins host Steve Vancore to share one of the most distinctive career journeys in local government — from professional football player to city manager. Ifo reflects on his experiences leading multiple cities, including Eagle Mountain and Las Cruces, and the philosophy that has guided him throughout: falling in love with every city he serves.

Ifo and Steve explore the contrasting challenges of managing fast-growing cities versus built-out ones, and dive into economic development strategies, including how to attract data centers and other businesses. Ifo makes the case for post-performance incentives and shares the importance of removing friction so companies can easily say “yes” to calling a city home. It's an energizing conversation about leadership, community investment, and what drives the most effective managers in local government.

Episode #211: Kelly Westlund – Environmental Messaging, Water Infrastructure, and Housing Pressures in Rural Wisconsin Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Host Steve Vancore talks with KellyWestlund, Deputy Administrator of Bay County, Wisconsin, about the real-worldchallenges of environmental infrastructure and how communities respond whencosts and growth collide.

Kelly shares how aging septic systemsand population shifts are straining water quality in northern Wisconsin,drawing parallels to Florida’s septic-to-sewer debates. The conversationhighlights why environmental issues gain traction only when framed aroundtangible outcomes that residents value—clean water, reliable services, andcommunity resilience.

They also discuss resistance to waterrate increases, renewable energy investments like solar microgrids in BayfieldCounty, and the difficulty of advancing affordable housing amid NIMBY concerns.The episode underscores a central theme: technical solutions matter, but clear,locally grounded messaging is what turns long-term needs into public support.

Episode #210: Carlos Sanchez and Jared Jones – From Military Service to Municipal Leadership Through Fellowship Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Carlos Sanchez joins host SteveVancore to share his transition from military service to a leadership role inPanama City through the ICMA Veterans Local Government Management Fellowship.During his four-month fellowship, Carlos worked across departments, contributedto safety improvements, and helped shape policy for a new recreation center.

Now serving as Utility OperationsManager, Carlos oversees wastewater, underground utilities, and lift stations.He and Steve discuss how the fellowship program offers a valuable, low-risk wayfor cities to onboard transitioning service members while strengthening theirworkforce.

Episode #209: Dale Pazdra and Kathy Reul – Developing Leaders from Within in Coral Springs Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, host Steve Vancorespeaks with Dale Pazdra and Kathy Reul about Coral Springs’ long-runningleadership development and succession planning program. Launched in 2007, theprogram features in-person training, monthly mentoring themes, andcross-departmental exposure, all through a competitive application process. Theresult has been a strong internal leadership pipeline, with many departmentheads rising through the program.

Dale and Kathy explain how CoralSprings has sustained the initiative for nearly two decades through regularparticipant feedback, a focus on employee engagement, and an organizationalculture committed to growth. The program has helped reduce turnover, savetraining costs, and strengthen collaboration across departments.

Episode #208: Ryan Leak – Focus, Growth, and Leading with Purpose in Local Government Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Motivational speaker and author Ryan Leak joins host Steve Vancore to share practical strategies for improvingorganizational performance and personal development. Reflecting on his recent presentation at the Florida League of Cities conference, Ryan offers insights for leaders managing complex, board-governed organizations, with a focus on policy implementation, budgeting, and long-term impact.

The conversation explores the power of a growth mindset, the quiet influence of community contributors, and the value of empathy in local leadership. Ryan and Steve also dive into the challenge of staying focused in a noisy, polarized environment, sharing stories and habits that help leaders reduce distractions and prioritize meaningful work.

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