Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 286 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
Local government leadership isn’t designed for longevity.
The pace is relentless.
The politics are unforgiving.
The expectations are often unclear and rarely reasonable.
Most city managers don’t leave because they lack competence. They leave because the work slowly erodes clarity, energy, and conviction.
That’s what makes Dennis Champine’s story worth paying attention to.
In the latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Dennis Champine, City Manager of Center Line, Michigan, and recently named one of the Top 10 City Managers of 2025, shares what it actually takes to last in a profession where turnover is now expected.
Not by playing defense.
Not by chasing trends.
Not by performing leadership.
But by committing to the long haul.
This conversation isn’t about hacks or heroics.
It’s about endurance.
Integrity.
And the quiet discipline of showing up, again and again, without losing yourself in the process.
If you’re a city manager, administrator, or senior local government leader wondering how to keep going—and keep caring—this episode will resonate.
Listen to Episode 286: “Dennis Champine: Built for the Long Haul” on The HaltingWinter Podcast
Because leadership in local government isn’t about winning the moment.
It’s about being able to stay long enough to make it matter.
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 leadership and their organization.
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.
