How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?
I have been a member of FCCMA since late 2020. It is important that I network with other municipalities and governing bodies. This membership grants me access to seminars and workshops which ultimately provides me additional educational tools and knowledge to be successful in my Town and career.
Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I am a member of ICMA. Just as the FCCMA, the ICMA gives me educational tools and workshops which sets me up for success. I am given the opportunity to service in various capacities to represent my Town. I have been a member ICMA since late 2020.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I received my bachelor’s degree in finance and my master’s degree concentrating on management.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I began my career in local government to influence and serve my local communities.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector?
I served in the private sector for most of my career. I began in the public sector a little over five years ago.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
I am currently the Town Manager for the Town of Dundee in Central Florida on the US 27 corridor.
Please describe your typical day.
My day as a manager typically begins and ends with communicating amongst my staff, elected officials, project managers, and of course Dundee’s wonderful Residents. My current focus has been dominated with the extraordinary growth within the Town. This includes monitoring our water/sewer and level of service for all of the current and potential new residents.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of my job is public relations. Whether building or increasing relationships with Residents, Staff, Appointed Officials, Elected Officials, Developers, or new Businesses Owners my goal is to listen and work towards bettering the community. I am always looking to elevate my and the Town Staff’s level of services, commitment, and dedication to the community.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
My least favorite part of my job would be enforcing code compliance. As we all know, beautification and implications of rules is important in every aspect of a town. Addressing code issues can be difficult because of the “gray” areas- some Residents have financial challenges or other unusual dynamics. It seems to be constant evaluation of when to show grace and when to hold to the Town’s standard. We try to find creative solutions to help some of the Residents who are experience challenges outside of their control and connecting with local organizations who offer assistance in these circumstances-this has been essential to the success of many of our code issues.
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.
Member of Polk Vision which keeps me connected to the needs in my Town, the County, and the other Cities around us.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
Months into my new position, the community challenged the Commission to hold the current 3rd party sanitation contractor accountable for the level of services being rendered. After constant evaluation and action plans with the company, they continued to not meet the level of service for the residents or commercial accounts. This resulted in canceling the contract and partnering with a wonderful company, RDK Trucking, to lease the necessary equipment to create our very own sanitation department which has made the sanitation for our residents a positive experience. The town overall looks better and is well maintained with a higher level of services needed without jeopardizing the integrity, health, and well-being of our community.
What are your hobbies/interests?
My hobbies and interests include cross word puzzles and watching the “oldie but goodies” TV shows like “Monk”, and naturally all of the hallmark classics and holiday shows.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
My advice to those entering a career in public service is to always keep an open mind. When planning projects, it is wise to have a plan “A” and a plan “B” (and sometimes a plan “C”, “D”, “E”, and “F”). Whenever you are making decisions, make sure you are making them on behalf of your community and not for yourself. Stop and ask, “SELF is this decision what is absolutely best for this community?” Have a good understanding that what is good in another community may not be a good fit for your community.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
I have been blessed with multiple leaders who have mentored and even walked beside me in my career as a public servant. A few that have played a major role in shaping me and my career are Breanna Smith of White Paper Consultants; Fred Hillard, former City Manager of Fort Meade Florida; Deric Feacher, City Manager of Daytona Beach Florida; Ryan Taylor and Joe Halman, both Polk County Deputy Managers.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
My alternate career path would be an Accountant, CFO or Finance Director- as I mentioned, numbers have always been my friend.
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?
My favorite story as a member of FCCMA is the most recent conference in Hollywood Florida. The keynote speaker spoke of a “bucket list” that he and a group of friends created. As they worked their own list, they began to add others bucket list items that they helped them achieve. Their adventure impacted numerous people around the world. His “Bucket List Adventure” inspired me to create an annual “Goal List” for myself- something beyond a New Year resolution. I am thinking of developing a way to implement this with my department heads. Each would make a list and select one or two that the whole team would rally around to complete that year. I feel this would give us all a sense of accomplishment, encourage teamwork, and pushing them all to dream. And, it would be a way for me to positively impact my team to help them complete a goal that is all about them and not me.
