Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 263 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
If you’ve spent any time in local government, you know the job isn’t just about projects, policies, or paperwork. It’s about possibility—the possibility that a city can grow, adapt, and serve its people better tomorrow than it does today.
That’s the lens Mark McAvoy brings to his role as City Administrator of Liberty Lake, Washington. Mark’s path to city management didn’t start in a classroom; it started in a hurricane. As a high school senior in Galveston, Texas, he walked into the Emergency Operations Center during Hurricane Gilbert, volunteered to run the phones, and worked for 36 straight hours. That moment etched the spirit of public service into his life.
From the Air Force to 17 years in the City of Houston to leadership roles in Rowlett and Fort Worth, Mark built a career on one conviction: You don’t out-expert the experts; you create the environment where they can thrive.
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Mark shares:
It’s a grounded, honest look at the work behind the work and the human side of leading cities.
Listen to Episode 263: The Purveyor of Possibility
Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen or at HaltingWinter.com/resources.
This episode is sponsored by Tyler Technologies, the leader in empowering the public sector with software solutions that connect data, streamline operations, and improve service delivery. From civic services to public safety, Tyler helps local governments build stronger, more resilient communities.
Learn more at tylertech.com/winter →
The MLDC is where local government leaders go to grow, together. It’s the fastest-growing leadership development community designed specifically for the public sector, now paired with a comprehensive 9-month Leadership & Culture Program for those ready to elevate their organization.
Members receive weekly leadership content, access to our daily podcast, monthly virtual trainings, and a clear roadmap for building a culture that reduces burnout, strengthens retention, and drives meaningful impact in every department.
If you’re committed to leading well and shaping a healthier culture for your team, now is the time to save your seat for the 2026 cohort.
Learn more at haltingwinter.com/mldc →
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.
