Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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In this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Will Ibershof, City Administrator of Madras, Oregon, shares a story that’s equal parts hilarious, humbling, and hard-earned.
It starts with a dare.
And vomit on a perfectly manicured lawn.
But it leads to multi-million dollar infrastructure wins, community connection, and a life reshaped by the call to serve.
Will didn’t grow up dreaming of public office. He was in the private sector—working in insurance and later for Waste Management—when a group of friends started complaining about the state of local government.
His response? “Then run.”
When nobody else raised their hand, he did.
Armed with no experience and a homemade campaign plan built on advice from governors and judges, he doorbelled his entire city, despite a deeply embarrassing moment on his first try. The result? A landslide win and a crash course in how local government really works.
“Part of this is just guts.”
That line sums up Will’s journey—and the kind of leadership public service demands.
Will served as the elected mayor of Duval, Washington for over a decade—without a city administrator. That meant being both the political head and operational lead of the city.
It also meant managing growth, burnout, budgets, and public expectations all at once.
And through it all, he held a full-time job and raised three kids.
Looking back, Will speaks with refreshing honesty about the toll it took and the one thing he wishes he’d done differently.
“I realized I could’ve done a better job as a father. That’s my one regret.”
His vulnerability is a powerful reminder: leadership isn’t just about outcomes. It’s about trade-offs. And awareness.
One of the most meaningful themes in this episode is Will’s passion for cross-city collaboration.
Whether it’s calling a larger city to help resolve a developer issue or building regional alliances to influence the state legislature, Will shows how humility and teamwork amplify impact.
“In local government, you steal ideas all day long and people help you do it.”
From mentorship to regional advocacy, Will proves that a rising tide really does lift all boats.
Now serving in Madras, Oregon, Will is helping lead a rural community navigating modern growth pressures. Affordable housing, infrastructure planning, community identity—it’s all in play.
And his answer isn’t technology.
It’s not just policy either.
It’s people.
Will believes the key to healthy small towns is connection through events, public spaces, and everyday interactions that build belonging.
It’s an episode filled with practical wisdom, memorable stories, and the kind of perspective that only comes from leading where you live.
Subscribe to The HaltingWinter Podcast and listen to this episode to be reminded that real leadership isn’t flashy—it’s faithful. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, again and again, for your community.
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.
