How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?
I have been a member for several years. I joined because I had a career goal of becoming a City Manager. I could see that membership in FCCMA would facilitate the achievement of that goal.
Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I have also been a member of ICMA for several years and joined for the same reason. I could see that membership in both ICMA and FCCMA was a resource that current City Administrators utilized so that was what I needed to do as well.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and a Master of Public Administration degree. I am also a certified Redevelopment Administrator, a certified Downtown Manager and a certified Public Manager.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I wanted to make a difference in the world through my career. I was working in television production after I graduated from college and just didn’t feel fulfilled or like I was making a real difference. That was when I went back to school for my graduate degree in Public Administration. As part of my degree program, I had to do an internship in the public sector and that is when I discovered redevelopment. I was hooked.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector?
I worked for 10 years in the private sector for a television station and production company. I then worked eight years in the non-profit sector, in downtown redevelopment, before starting with a city.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description.
Currently, I am the City Manager for Crescent City. We have a staff of about 20 employees, so I wear lots of hats. I am also the City Clerk (by Charter), the CRA Director, and until recently, the Planning Director.
Please describe your typical day.
Everyday, I have a “to-do” list of things I want to accomplish and that gets added to with everything that pops up each day. I typically dedicate the early morning, starting around 7a.m., to writing/creating at my computer. I follow this up with a little MBWA (Management by Wandering Around) and visit with my staff. I set up appointments and meetings for late morning or early afternoon. I often have evening meetings several nights a week. I am involved with our fledgling Main Street organization, so I have one meeting a week with them in the evening. I also usually dedicate one day every other week or so, to working out in the community with my Public Works crew.
What is your favorite part of the job?
The favorite part of the job for me is taking action and getting something done. Whether it is completing a master plan, repaving a street, pouring a sidewalk, cleaning up a park, or planting new landscaping, I enjoy checking improvements off my list and seeing the difference in the community. Taking action and making a difference is very satisfying.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
The least favorite part is when nothing seems to be moving. That is, when all of our initiatives are on hold for one reason or another or seem to be stopped. Making a difference for me is so important that when I feel like what I am doing is not making a difference, that is my least favorite time.
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 have only been in the community five months, and I have not yet joined any groups. I do attend many group meetings, representing the city, to show our support for their efforts. This includes the historical society, Rotary Club, Lions, Club, etc. I am also heavily involved in our Downtown Partnership which I will be applying for Main Street status later this year. It is important for me to be involved because all these groups are working for the betterment of our community, and we are all on the same team.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
I am very new and the most memorable experience, so far, has been being selected for the position.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I enjoy camping, canoeing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, gardening/landscaping and traveling both domestic and abroad. My wife is from Brazil and we enjoy exploring that country a little more each year. We have also begun to branch out with a trip to Italy.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
My advice would be to include personal development training in your training. This involves training in ways of being rather than adding knowledge. Your actions naturally arise from how you are being. If you are always on autopilot, then you are reacting rather than creating. Also, I believe the quote that everything will be alright in the end. If it is not alright, it is not the end.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
My mentors include retired City Manager Mike Stearman, and current City Managers Mike Czymbor and Debbie Manns. I have passed along what I have learned mostly through personal interactions.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
At this point, I would likely retire and travel but if I could go back in time and had to pick something else, I would probably go to law school and focus on land use law and becoming an attorney.
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 was at the FCCMA Conference (my first time) when I received the call that I was being considered for the position I now hold. I saw it as a good sign since I was at an Economic Development conference when I received a call to schedule an interview for Economic Development Director position two years earlier.
