Jesse Thyes: Built Along the WayHow Leaders Emerge Through Experience

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Episode 295 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

Most municipal leaders didn't start with a clear plan to achieve their current role. They grew into the role through experience, responsibility, and the people who invited them to step forward.

In this episode, Jesse Thyes, City Administrator of West Bend, Wisconsin, shares his journey from technical roles in planning and zoning to the administrator's chair. Along the way, we explore how early frontline work builds leadership capacity, how mentorship changes trajectories, and why effective municipal leadership is less about status and more about serving the moment.

This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn't assigned early; it's formed over time, through trust, pressure, and the willingness to say yes before you feel ready.

If you've ever questioned your path into leadership or wondered how to develop the next generation, this episode will resonate.

Sponsored by:

• Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

• The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

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