From Biology Lab to Town Hall: How Michael Paulhus is Revolutionizing Municipal Communication

“There’s no shortage of content. There are so many different departments, so many things we’re doing that affect almost every aspect of residential life.” – Michael Paulhus, Town Manager, Plainville, CT

The Unconventional Path to Municipal Leadership

What do biology, the Peace Corps, wealth management, and TikTok have in common?

For most city managers, probably nothing. But for Michael Paulhus, Town Manager of Plainville, Connecticut, these diverse experiences have shaped an extraordinary approach to municipal leadership that’s putting his community on the map.

In the latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, host Seth Winterhalter explores Michael’s fascinating journey from biology student to innovative municipal communicator. This conversation reveals how curiosity and diverse experiences can transform local government.

Biology, Banking, and Better Government

Michael’s career path defies conventional wisdom about public service:

• From Lab to Tanzania: After earning a biology degree from Blackburn College, Michael joined the Peace Corps and spent two years teaching fish farming techniques in Tanzania
• From Development to Local Politics: An unexpected opportunity in his hometown of Windham, Connecticut, launched his government career
• From Elected to Appointed: Michael has the rare distinction of having served as both an elected First Selectman and as an appointed Town Manager
• From Public to Private and Back: A five-year detour into wealth management at RBC gave Michael valuable insights about efficiency and resource management that he brought back to government

“I’m a lifelong learner and I just love learning,” Michael explains. “I look at opportunities to educate myself and learn new skill sets as fun.”

Fiscal Creativity in Action

This curiosity has led to innovative approaches to common municipal challenges. In North Branford, Michael and his team discovered Connecticut’s state surplus program, which allowed them to acquire expensive equipment for just $50.

One example? A $10,000 salt treatment system purchased for the cost of lunch at a nice restaurant. Over several years, these creative acquisitions saved taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.

The Social Media Revolution

Perhaps most impressively, Michael has transformed how Plainville communicates with residents through social media—despite having minimal experience when he started.

“I was not a social media type person,” Michael admits. “But I dove in the deep end and tried to learn as much as I could.”

Today, Plainville’s communication strategy spans LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with Michael as the primary face and voice. His “Manager’s Minute” posts have become community favorites, mixing important information with enough humor to keep residents engaged.

Lessons for Municipal Leaders

This episode offers several powerful takeaways for city managers and municipal leaders:

1. Embrace curiosity: Michael’s willingness to explore new fields and approaches has consistently opened doors throughout his career
2. Private sector principles can transform public service: Questioning established processes and focusing on efficiency can lead to significant improvements
3. Communication doesn’t require huge budgets: Authentic, consistent social media content can transform community engagement without expensive production
4. Multigenerational teams leverage different strengths: Michael credits younger staff members with helping him understand and navigate social media trends
5. Self-care is essential: Michael maintains five pillars for personal wellbeing: diet, exercise, meditation, prayer, and sleep

Listen to the Full Episode

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with one of municipal government’s most innovative communicators. Michael’s story demonstrates how diverse experiences and intellectual curiosity can transform both careers and communities.

Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Amazon

About The HaltingWinter Podcast

The HaltingWinter Podcast explores how municipal leaders can thrive personally and professionally while creating maximum impact for their communities. Each episode features in-depth conversations with innovative city managers and municipal experts from across the United States.

Join the Municipal Leadership Development Circle

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a community for city managers and administrators to find support as they lead thriving teams and communities. Podcast listeners receive 20% off with a 7-day free trial using code “PODCAST” when registering at haltingwinter.com/mldc.

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Seth Winterhalter is the host of The HaltingWinter Podcast and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to building stronger cities through stronger leaders. To explore how we can strengthen you and your municipality, visit haltingwinter.com.