Show Notes: David Cline: Undercover Cops, Crime-Ridden Hotels, and the Green River Killer Episode 166 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Overview In this compelling episode of the HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter interviews David Cline, a retired city administrator and current affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. David shares his remarkable journey into city management from working with undercover narcotics officers to transforming crime-ridden neighborhoods as a city administrator. His career spans decades of public service, including roles at King County, the city of Burien, Lake Forest Park, and Tukwila. The conversation explores the purpose-driven nature of municipal work, the delicate balance between professional impact and family life, and how strategic leadership can transform communities for generations.

Episode Highlights:

• From Student to Undercover Work: David's early career included an internship with an undercover narcotics task force, complete with flak jackets and search warrants
• Purpose-Driven Career: Why local government provides immediate impact and daily purpose unlike many other professions
• Family First Philosophy: How David restructured his approach to leadership after realizing the toll it was taking on his personal relationships
• Transforming Tukwila: The strategic initiatives that turned crime-ridden areas—including former hunting grounds of the Green River Killer—into safe, vibrant neighborhoods
• 400-Officer Operation: Leading a massive law enforcement initiative to take down criminal enterprises that had plagued the community for decades
• Strategic Planning: Creating a 10-year vision that guided community development long after his tenure
• Global Perspective: How David's experiences in Indonesia and Bolivia shaped his approach to community engagement and diversity
• Work-Life Integration: Practical tactics for balancing municipal leadership with family life, including coaching youth sports and creating boundaries
• Mentoring the Next Generation: David's current role teaching and inspiring students to pursue careers in local government
• The Power of Internships: How early career experiences in municipal government shape future leaders and create lasting professional connections
• From 30 to 350 Staff: The unique challenges of leading organizations of different sizes and compositions

Connect with David Cline:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Jimmy 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.

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