How long have you been an FCCMA member and why did you join?
I’ve been a member of FCCMA since February 2017. I joined because I was new to the profession and believed the quickest way to learn was to build a network of city management professionals.
Are you an ICMA member? Why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
Yes, I joined for the professional development opportunities and to build relationships with colleagues. I’ve been a member since November 2016. I’ll obtain my ICMA-CM credential on 2/1/25 as well as I’m registered for ICMA’s Gettysburg Leadership Institute this coming April.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I have an undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of West Florida and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, I’ve completed Leadership ICMA, class of 2020-2022.
Why did you select a career in public service?
To give back. I am not a native of Panama City, FL. My family arrived here in the early 90s just before my father retired from the Navy. Panama City quickly became my permanent home after living abroad for most of my life. The community embraced our family, and we found ourselves surrounded by a second family here. Giving back to this community and finding ways to better serve my City is my primary motivation.
Have you always been in the public sector, or have you had experience in the private sector?
I spent nine years at a regional telecom company in local and regional marketing before entering public service.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
I am currently an Assistant City Manager.
Please describe your typical day.
It seems like no two days are alike, but similarities exist in spending time meeting with the city management team, elected officials, and my director staff. Additionally, monitoring ongoing construction projects from disaster recovery grants, providing updates to officials, and building various programs.
What is your favorite part of the job?
The best part of my job is that no two days are the same. I enjoy the challenge of solving new problems and learning. After nine years in this position, I learn something daily about one aspect or another of the organization. It’s what excites me about coming to work every day.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
Communicating to citizens and employees when problems persist due to limited resources. Not being able to say yes to every great project or program.
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 been an active member of Rotary of St. Andrews for eight years and am a past president. We actively fundraise for youth education programs to give back to our community. It’s important to me because being of service helps strengthen communities and build connections.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
Working with city staff, elected officials, and other local government staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Going through a catastrophic disaster galvanized the communities in our county. Seeing how our community came together to overcome adversity is my most memorable experience.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I enjoy spending my free time with my wife Michelle and our Mini Australian Shepherd, Fergus, and also traveling.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
No challenge is insurmountable with the right outlook and the humility to ask for advice from others.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
Alan Goodson and Steve Pozil. They both demonstrated through word and action the type of leader I wanted to be early on in my career. I pass this down by investing not just in professional development but in personal relationships with my teams.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
Restaurateur.
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 first FCCMA conference as a newly minted Assistant City Manager showed me that no one in our profession is on their own. I thought the issues we had to overcome in my organization were unique problems that we alone struggled with. I quickly discovered that was not the case. FCCMA has continued to be a resource for information and encouragement since I joined the association.
