How long have you been a FCCMA or ICMA member and why did you join?
I have been a member of both FCCMA and ICMA since 2019. Both of these memberships have allowed me to pursue professional development opportunities, to stay informed of the latest trends and best practices in municipal government management, and to build relationships with other career local government professionals in Florida and around the nation.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Why did you select a career in public service?
As far back as high school, I have always felt called to a career in public service in that I wanted to serve others and affect positive change that would improve my community. I believe local government is the best way to make that impact, as it is the front line of public service delivery.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector?
I have always worked in the public sector. My career began in state government, but I ultimately felt called to a career in local government.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
My current position is Process Innovation Manager with the City of Tallahassee. In this role I work closely with the City Manager, Assistant City Managers and Department Directors to manage organizational development and change management efforts, develop strategies for meeting business goals and objectives, and coordinate the design and delivery of improved business processes.
Please describe your typical day.
I have found that no two days, or weeks, are the same. What other industry allows you to work hand-in-hand with fleet technicians on heavy equipment one week, and then make a presentation to the City Commission the next week? This is what I love most about working for the City of Tallahassee and in local government. We strive to be the nation’s best at delivering municipal services and meet the evolving needs of our community, which requires us to be adaptable and mission-driven.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is being able to work across departments and with different teams of people on a regular basis. As a full-service City, we are broad organization with many different departments, but my experience has shown that our employees truly reflect a “one team” mindset. Everyone is willing to collaborate to get the work done and is always focused on service delivery for our residents.
What is your most memorable experience on the job (if applicable)?
Working as part of the team that developed the City of Tallahassee’s first ever Five-Year Strategic Plan, which will culminate in our 200th anniversary in 2024. This was a uniquely rewarding project that took great teamwork, visionary leadership, collaboration, and teamwork across all of our departments to shape the final strategy.
What are your hobbies/interests?
Spending time with my wife and kids, home improvement projects, and college sports.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
Say yes when you have an opportunity to take on additional roles or projects. This will open you up to new opportunities, broaden your professional experience, and help you build new relationships.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
Over the past four years I have been fortunate to receive great mentorship and advice from two individuals, both of whom are active FCCMA and ICMA members: Christian Doolin (Assistant City Manager, City of Tallahassee) and Raoul Lavin (Assistant City Manager, Ret., City of Tallahassee). I always try to pass on any lessons I’ve learned to colleagues in order to share knowledge through a lens of collective professional development.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
A producer or filmmaker for National Geographic, to be able to travel to the most unique places on the planet and then share that story with people around the world.
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?
Not long after I joined the FCCMA, I volunteered for the Conference Planning Committee and served as part of that team for the past two years. As new member, this was a fantastic opportunity to get to know other FCCMA members and contribute to the development of new session topics for the annual conference. I would highly encourage any new member to volunteer to get more involved and build stronger connections with other local government professionals.
