Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 335 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
Most people never think about public works until something stops working.
The water doesn’t come on.
The road floods.
Traffic backs up.
Infrastructure fails.
But behind every functioning community are public servants carrying enormous responsibility to keep cities moving, growing, and thriving every single day.
During National Public Works Week, The HaltingWinter Podcast is proud to feature a conversation with Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager for the City of Carlsbad and one of the American Public Works Association’s Top 10 Public Works Leaders of 2025.
Paz’s story is remarkable.
Born into a Navy family after her parents immigrated from the Philippines, her journey eventually led her from the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps to leadership in local government, overseeing every component of public works in one of Southern California’s most dynamic communities.
But what makes this conversation so powerful isn’t just the career journey.
It’s the reminder that public works is ultimately about people.
It’s about the invisible work that creates safety, mobility, connection, sustainability, and belonging inside our communities. It’s about collaboration across departments. It’s about developing future leaders. And it’s about choosing service over recognition.
This episode is a meaningful look into the leadership, mission, and humanity behind the infrastructure most of us take for granted every day.
Listen to Episode 335 with Paz Gomez: The Mission Behind Public Works
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 AI to budgeting solutions, 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.
