Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
In episode 166 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, host Seth Winterhalter sits down with David Cline, whose extraordinary career in municipal leadership includes surprising encounters with undercover operations and transforming some of Washington state’s most challenged neighborhoods.
In an era where cities face increasingly complex challenges with limited resources, finding innovative solutions has never been more critical. Yet, many municipalities struggle with bureaucratic inertia and siloed departments that stifle creativity. Jimmy Liles, City Administrator of Nixa, Missouri, has developed a refreshingly effective approach that’s earning national attention.
In the northernmost reaches of Maine, a small border town of just 2,000 people is experiencing a renaissance that defies the typical narrative of rural decline. At the helm of this transformation is Luke Dyer, Town Manager of Van Buren, whose journey from police sergeant to municipal leader offers valuable lessons for communities of all sizes.
What does it take to lead your hometown through multiple disasters while simultaneously transforming it into a destination with unique attractions and robust economic development? Our latest podcast episode explores this question with Brent Buerck, City Administrator of Perryville, Missouri, who has done exactly that.
What does it take to lead a city with deep ties to American nuclear history? How can municipal leaders build thriving organizational cultures while maintaining a healthy work-life balance? Our latest podcast episode dives into these questions and more with Jon Amundson, City Manager of Richland, Washington.
What happens when the daughter of a county manager declares she wants nothing to do with local government, only to find herself serving as an interim city manager years later? This unexpected journey forms the heart of our conversation with Kristen Dorman, Assistant City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri, in Episode 158 of The HaltingWinter Podcast.
Municipal leadership rarely follows a linear path, but John Mauro’s journey stands out as particularly remarkable. As City Manager of Port Townsend, Washington, John brings a wealth of global experience that has shaped his innovative approach to local governance.
In Episode 157 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with John to explore his fascinating journey from the shores of Maine to four continents and eventually to the Victorian seaport town he now calls home.
In the aftermath of a national crisis that thrust a small Missouri city into the global spotlight, one leader made the courageous decision to step into the fire—not away from it. The story of De’Carlon Seewood, current City Manager of Columbia, Missouri, and former leader of Ferguson during its most turbulent period, offers powerful lessons for municipal leaders everywhere.
Our latest episode of the HaltingWinter Podcast features this remarkable leader whose journey provides a masterclass in crisis management, community healing, and organizational renewal.
In the world of municipal leadership, career paths are rarely straight lines. Some of the most impactful city managers never set out to lead cities at all—they simply said “yes” when opportunity knocked.
This week on The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Nichole Rutherford, City Manager of Coos Bay, Oregon, for a conversation that reveals how unexpected opportunities and the courage to embrace them can lead to extraordinary leadership journeys.
As a city manager, you stand at the helm of a complex organization, navigating the choppy waters of public opinion, political pressures, and community needs. When projects fall behind, when departments clash, or when resources run thin, where do you look for solutions?
If you’re like most municipal leaders, you’ve experienced the frustration of finger-pointing, the burden of siloed departments, and the challenge of creating lasting change in bureaucratic environments.
But what if there was another way?
