Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share From Coast Guard Cockpit to County Hall
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
From Coast Guard Cockpit to County Hall
Send us a text
Flathead County Administrator Pete Melnick brings an uncommon résumé to local government—Coast Guard helicopter pilot, counter-drug operations leader, and DHS culture strategist. In this conversation with David Wigginton, host of Heart of the Flathead, Pete shares how mission discipline, systems thinking, and a deep curiosity for frontline work now drive better roads, smarter budgets, and more transparent decisions across one of Montana’s fastest-growing counties.
From disabling cartel boats to navigating Montana’s open-meeting laws, Pete reveals what effective leadership looks like when stakes are high and accountability is real. He breaks down how to think in systems, listen across perspectives, and dig into the “five whys” to find root causes. Along the way, you’ll hear lessons from military command, mistakes that shaped his civilian leadership style, and why trust—and listening—remain the most underrated tools in public service.
Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:
- Glacier Investment Management
- Whitefish Financial Services
Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.
View all episodes
By David WiggintonSend us a text
Flathead County Administrator Pete Melnick brings an uncommon résumé to local government—Coast Guard helicopter pilot, counter-drug operations leader, and DHS culture strategist. In this conversation with David Wigginton, host of Heart of the Flathead, Pete shares how mission discipline, systems thinking, and a deep curiosity for frontline work now drive better roads, smarter budgets, and more transparent decisions across one of Montana’s fastest-growing counties.
From disabling cartel boats to navigating Montana’s open-meeting laws, Pete reveals what effective leadership looks like when stakes are high and accountability is real. He breaks down how to think in systems, listen across perspectives, and dig into the “five whys” to find root causes. Along the way, you’ll hear lessons from military command, mistakes that shaped his civilian leadership style, and why trust—and listening—remain the most underrated tools in public service.
Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:
- Glacier Investment Management
- Whitefish Financial Services
Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.