The FCCMA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode #207: Michael Sargis – Building Culture and Promoting from Within in North Lauderdale Feb 05, 2026

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Michael Sargis, City Manager of North Lauderdale, brings nearly four decades of local government experience to this conversation with podcast host Steve Vancore. From starting as a college intern to serving as Parks and Recreation Director for 29 years, Michael now leads a city of 46,000 residents in just five square miles. He discusses the city’s “PROUD” initiative—Professionalism, Respect, Outreach, Unity, and Dedication—and the impact it has had on internal culture, career development, and service delivery.

Episode #206 Taco Pope: – Planning for Growth and Preserving Community in Nassau County Jan 22, 2026

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Taco Pope, County Administrator of Nassau County, Florida, joins host Steve Vancore to reflect on his 20-year journey from urban planner to county leader. He explains how his background in planning has shaped his approach to managing one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties, where long-term vision, infrastructure, and water management are central concerns.

Pope shares insights into Nassau County’s rapid transformation, particularly in areas near Jacksonville and Amelia Island. He discusses how population growth and in-migration have brought new expectations, shifted voting patterns, and increased the urgency for proactive planning. Initiatives like the 2050 Vision Plan and the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Program are examples of how the county is balancing growth with quality of life.

Episode #205: Richard Reade – Advocating for Cities and Understanding County Dynamics Jan 15, 2026

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Richard Reade, Town Manager of Lake Park, joins thepodcast to discuss his public service journey from rural Okeechobee County to urban Palm Beach County. Drawing on his experience as a public informationofficer in Delray Beach, Richard shares his insights on city-county tension, the limitations counties face, and how cities can advocate more effectively for themselves. He also reflects on the early days of social media and the role it continues to play in public communication.

Episode #204: Eric Williams – Planning, Funding, and Executing for Small-Town Success Jan 08, 2026

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Eric Williams, City Manager of Inverness, shares the city’s guiding principle: plan, fund, execute. He and host Steve Vancore discuss the importance of strategic project planning in preserving Inverness’s small-town charm while encouraging economic growth. Eric reflects on his nearly seven years as assistant city manager, his focus on bringing private investment into Citrus County’s seat, and his perspective on balancing introspective governance with business-like efficiency. The episode also touches on home rule and Inverness’s proactive approach to state relations.

Episode #203: JB Whitten – Leading Crestview Through Government Transformation Dec 19, 2025

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Crestview Mayor JB Whitten shares his story of helpingusher in a new era of professional management for his city. JB explains how his time on the council revealed inefficiencies caused by a lack of centralized leadership. He led efforts to educate residents on the value of the council-manager system, eventually helping Crestview hire its first city manager in 2019. With a 30-year career in the Air Force and training from IEMO, JB brings disciplined leadership and a long-term vision to the mayor's office.

Episode #202: John Eason – From Law Enforcement to City Leadership: Building Trust and Infrastructure Dec 15, 2025

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John Eason, Deputy City Manager of Wauchula, joins host Steve Vancore to share his career journey from military service and law enforcement to city administration. After serving as Chief of Police, John transitioned into local government leadership, driven by a commitment to public service and community impact.

He discusses balancing visible projects, such as parks and roundabouts, with essential infrastructure needs, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and equitable service delivery. John also highlights the importance of communication, public trust, and ensuring that staff are equipped to meet resident expectations.

Through a servant leadership lens, John offers practical insights for managing growth, navigating priorities, and leading with integrity in local government.

Episode #201: Dale Martin – Strategic Leadership and Board Game Lessons in City Management Dec 04, 2025

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Dale Martin, City Manager of Flagler Beach, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss his transition from Connecticut to Florida and his love of board games (he owns more than 600!). Dale draws parallels between the complexity of board games and the skills needed to manage a city effectively, including strategy, adaptation, and foresight. The conversation also explores the importance of having an exit strategy in city management, particularly given the political nature of the role and the challenges that can come unexpectedly.

Episode #200: Casey Cook – Defending Local Government and the Future of Public Services Nov 20, 2025

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In the 200th episode of the FCCMA Podcast, host Steve Vancore is joined by Casey Cook, Executive Director of FCCMA and Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Florida League of Cities, for a timely and critical conversation about the future of local government in Florida. Casey outlines the growing legislative threats to property tax revenues, warning of a potential existential crisis for municipalities if core funding sources are undermined.

Casey offers practical and actionable advice for local government leaders on how to push back against these threats by clearly communicating the value of city services. He stresses the importance of educating residents about the essential functions cities provide and the consequences of reducing local government funding. The episode delivers a candid update on the current policy landscape in Tallahassee. As FCCMA celebrates 200 episodes, Casey reminds listeners that the work of local government is not just essential, it is worth protecting, and it is time for leaders to stand together.

Episode #199: Ed Mitchell – From City Hall to the Private Sector: Lessons in Leadership and Infrastructure Nov 13, 2025

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In this episode, Ed Mitchell shares his journey transitioning from city administrator to private sector executive, highlighting the professional challenges and transferable skills that shaped his path. Now Senior Vice President at U.S. Water, Ed discusses how he overcame early setbacks and built a career serving local governments from a different angle.

Ed and Steve explore Florida’s pressing water infrastructure issues, from saltwater intrusion to underfunded sewer systems. They highlight real-world examples like Fort Pierce and Longboat Key, emphasizing the need for proactive investment and long-term planning to avoid costly failures.

Episode #198: Howard Wanamaker – From the Cockpit to the County: Leading Clay County with Strategy and Service Nov 06, 2025

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County Administrator Howard Wanamaker joins host Steve Vancore to discuss his unique path from naval pilot to local government leadership. Drawing on military and private-sector experience, Howard shares how principles like standardization, accountability, and performance tracking shape his approach to county management.

He reflects on applying business strategies to public service, using KPIs and strategic planning to guide decisions. The conversation also covers Clay County’s growth, including major infrastructure projects and efforts to attract employers through personal engagement and the county’s strategic location.

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