Show Notes: Jon Amundson: Thriving at the Crossroads of Nuclear History Episode 160 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Overview In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter interviews Jon Amundson, City Manager of Richland, Washington. Jon shares his journey from a curious Cub Scout attending his first city council meeting to leading a city with deep ties to American nuclear history. Through his story, Jon reveals valuable insights on municipal leadership development, finding the right career fit, and creating thriving organizational cultures while maintaining meaningful family connections. Their conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities of the Tri-Cities region, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and practical strategies for balancing the demands of city management with personal well-being.

Episode Highlights:

• The Spark of Interest: How attending a city council meeting as a Cub Scout ignited Jon's lifelong passion for local government
• From Politics to Public Service: Jon's transition from political aspirations to city management after shadowing the City Manager of Orem, Utah
• Educational Path: Leveraging the University of Kansas program's practical approach to city management education and the value of the KUSAMAT network
• The Allen Experience: Lessons learned during his time at the City of Allen, Texas, including the hidden value of managing council agendas for professional development
• Finding the Right Fit: Strategic career decisions that balanced professional advancement with family priorities, including turning down opportunities that weren't aligned with both
• Self-Awareness in Leadership: Jon's candid assessment of his strengths (technology integration, organizational culture) and areas where he relies on team members (economic development)
• Building Future Leaders: Implementing the "Core Leadership Program" in Richland with Impact Academy, Change Team, and growth sessions to develop talent at all levels
• Creating Community Connection: The "Richland Cares" initiative that helps employees engage with and serve the community beyond their official roles
• Tri-Cities Collaboration: How Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco work together rather than compete, coordinating services and supporting regional economic development
• Work-Life Integration: Practical strategies for achieving balance, including being selective about meetings, delegating appropriately, and making intentional trade-offs to prioritize family

Connect with Jon Amundson:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Jon Here

Connect With Seth Winterhalter

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
• Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions: At HaltingWinter, our mission is to build stronger cities through stronger leaders by providing municipal leadership development services, rooted in the ABCs of Impactful Leadership framework. To explore how we can strengthen you and your municipality, visit haltingwinter.com.

Upcoming Events: Don't miss Seth Winterhalter at the Missouri City and County Managers Association Spring Conference at the Margaritaville Resort. Register now at www.momanagers.org/191/Spring-Conference.

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