Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 368 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Sponsored by Tyler Technologies
Few people grow up dreaming of becoming a town manager. Erica LaCroix certainly didn’t.
As a child growing up in rural Maine, she was convinced she’d become a veterinarian. That dream led her to Michigan State University, where she earned a degree in Animal Science with plans to attend veterinary school. But when that door didn’t open, another one did…one she never expected.
A temporary job in a city parking department became the beginning of a career that would eventually take her through public works, state government, law enforcement, employee benefits, and ultimately back home to Maine as the Town Manager of Farmington.
On this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Erica shares how curiosity, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities shaped a career devoted to serving communities.
One of the most powerful lessons from our conversation is that local government doesn’t just need planners, engineers, or public administrators. It needs people from every background and every discipline. Whether your passion is communications, technology, construction, finance, environmental science, human resources, or countless other fields, there is likely a place where your talents can make a meaningful difference in the community where you live.
Our conversation also explores the unique challenges facing today’s local government leaders, from navigating public trust and communicating complex decisions to preparing communities for natural disasters and building stronger relationships with residents.
Perhaps most importantly, Erica reminds us that local government has a storytelling problem. Residents often experience the services their local government provides every day without fully understanding the people, planning, and dedication required to make those services possible. Building trust starts with helping people understand the “why” behind the work.
For anyone considering a career in public service, leading a municipal organization, or simply looking for encouragement that careers don’t always follow a straight line, Erica’s story is proof that purpose is often discovered where we least expect it.
Sometimes the career you never planned becomes the one you were meant to pursue.
Listen to Episode 368: Erica LaCroix: There’s a Place for You in Local Government
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 shines a spotlight on the people behind our cities and counties. Through candid conversations with local government leaders from across the nation, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and ideas shaping stronger communities while inspiring the next generation of public servants.
