How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?
Roughly two years now. I signed up when I moved to Florida in November 2019.
Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
Yes. I joined in order to network and meet people back in university. Also it was a good learning opportunity for me. That was roughly six years ago now.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I have a Bachelor’s in Political Science, a Master in Political Science, and a Master in Public Administration.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I wanted to work in government and help people but got tired of politics and public policy. Also, not a huge fan of the private sector as it’s highly competitive and I’m more of a “work together” type.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector?
I have several years of experience in the private sector working in lobbying, education and press/media.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a city administrator/manager.
I serve as the Management Analyst and Public Information Officer for the Village of Indiantown. I work at the manager’s direction on projects and handle the village’s communications and outreach.
Please describe your typical day.
I get to work in the morning and respond to comments and communication from residents and the press from the night before. Then I usually spend the rest of the day working on whatever project the Village Council directed us to do right now or manage upcoming projects and the strategic plan. Other than that I assist departments as needed.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve been having a pretty good time with all of it.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
Again, not really sure. This is what I wanted to do. If there was anything I didn’t like I would just leave to be honest.
If you are involved in any volunteer or leadership activities in your community, please share with us a bit about what you do and why it is important to you.
I’m not yet. Right now I’ve mostly focused on work and anything attached to it as I have a lot to learn.
What are your hobbies/interests?
On my spare time I mostly read, play guitar and piano, and play video games.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice it would probably be to really feel out the field before committing to it. I love what I do but I used to tell students all the time when I was teaching that this job is not for everyone and I meant it. Honestly, it’s probably not for most people.
If I could ask one question to a seasoned manager I would probably ask if they were happier as a manager or as a deputy. That’s the burning question for my career at this point.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
My main mentor is Professor Robert McEvoy from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy in Albany, NY. He was the guy who really got me into this field as I was working more in politics proper beforehand. He served as the City Manager for Schenectady NY, in the Capital Region where I grew up, for many years. He also served on several ICMA boards and has been very active in the field.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
At this point I’m where I want to be. The only place where I would possibly be happier is teaching classes at a university level but that’s just not a sustainable career path anymore in my opinion. I tried working in lobbying, legal services, and press in the private sector for several years bouncing around and just never really enjoyed it.
Do you have a story you can share about how being a member of FCCMA has helped you or impacted you in a positive way?
I really enjoyed the conference a month or two ago. It was a good opportunity to meet people and see the field for the first time. Also, it was my first conference of this kind which was interesting. I look forward to where I can go from here.
