Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 224 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Zencity and Tyler Technologies
Scott Andrews didn’t take the straight road into city management. He started as a recreation supervisor, hustling his way into opportunities by handing out resumes at conferences, introducing himself to strangers, and following up with handwritten thank-you cards.
That persistence paid off. He helped build Sugar Hill, Georgia’s downtown from scratch, transformed development in Smyrna during the Atlanta Braves’ stadium move, and eventually took the reins as City Manager of Covington—all before moving west to serve in Bakersfield, California, and now as County Manager in New Mexico.
But behind the titles is a much deeper story.
In Covington, Scott stepped into leadership just as COVID-19 and social justice protests hit. The city was literally divided—east and west sides split along racial and political lines—and he found himself navigating seven marches in his first months, while trying to balance the needs of elected officials, staff, and citizens.
He describes city management as facing a “three-headed snake”: every decision pleases some and angers others, while the pressure to lead remains constant.
Six months into his role in Bakersfield, Scott and his wife lost their first daughter the day after she was supposed to be born. It was a devastating loss, one that reset his perspective on leadership, ambition, and life itself.
From that grief, Scott created two movements:
For Scott, leadership stopped being about climbing titles and became about something bigger: authenticity, civility, and humanity.
Today, Scott emphasizes emotional intelligence (EQ) as the greatest advantage leaders have in an age of AI and automation. Data and systems will only take us so far—what people crave is authenticity, kindness, and leaders who listen.
“Authenticity is the key to everything,” Scott says. “It’s the one thing AI can’t replicate. And it’s the thing people are most hungry for in leadership.”
This episode is about more than titles or projects—it’s about the human side of public service. It’s about resilience in the face of crisis, civility in the age of incivility, and love as a force for leadership.
If you’re a city manager, county administrator, or aspiring public servant, Scott’s story is a reminder:
Listen to Episode 224: Scott Andrews: Leading With Love
This episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast is made possible by our sponsors, Zencity and Tyler Technologies, who help local governments across the country better serve their communities.
Zencity
Local government leaders don’t have the luxury of guessing what residents think. Zencity helps you cut through the noise and hear directly from your community—not just the “same ten people.” By gathering real-time feedback across every neighborhood and demographic, Zencity gives you the insight to make decisions with clarity, confidence, and legitimacy. It’s about turning community voice into community trust.
Discover how Zencity helps leaders listen at www.zencity.io.
Tyler Technologies
Behind every thriving community is a city that runs well. Tyler Technologies is the nation’s leading software partner dedicated solely to the public sector. From financial systems and permitting to utility billing and citizen engagement, Tyler’s solutions help cities and counties operate with efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Their mission is simple: empower public servants to build stronger, smarter, more connected communities.
Learn how Tyler supports local governments at www.tylertech.com
The HaltingWinter Podcast celebrates and elevates the people who power local government. Through in-depth conversations with leaders from cities, counties, and communities of all sizes, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and innovations happening in municipal leadership across America.
