Leading Iowa

After 18 years as Executive Director of the Iowa League of Cities, Alan Kemp is saying goodbye. On this episode he reflects on his time with the League.

He says connections among people in government are the key to better government. He also said cities are the place where good government can lead the way to better government in not just Iowa, but the entire country.

Brad's Book Recommendation: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/max-fisher/the-chaos-machine/9780316703321/

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Good Government Institute

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher and Riverdale Mayor Anthony Heddlesten are two of the Quad Cities mayors where the 2026 Iowa League of Cities annual conference was held. Two different mayors but two similar views.

For Mayor Gallagher, running for mayor was a natural progression in his community service, for Mayor Heddlesten, being in public service, he recently discovered was a goal he set for himself at 16 years old. Oh, listen to how important chicken wings are to Mayor Gallagher.

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Good Government Institute

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Steve Richardson, mayor of Indianola, is the new president of the Iowa League of Cities. He discusses the differences in Iowa's cities and talks about how they interact with each other. And he talks about how each makes Iowa, well, Iowa.

He added that his experience serving in the Iowa state legislature will help him as he leads Iowa's cities this year. And Mayors Brad Cavanaugh and Richardson talk about the relationships you build through the League.

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Good Government Institute

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

For the past year Christina Eicher has been focused on Iowa's small cities. As outgoing president of the Iowa League of Cities, representing smaller cities has been her focus. She leaves after a year with a better understanding of smaller cities and says she provided a voice for those cities among Iowa's bigger cities.

Listen to how she managed being League president while also serving as a city clerk and a city councilwoman.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Two people I always check in with are together in this episode. Travis Goedken is the city manager of Decorah, and Becca Bixler is the mayor of Inwood. Both agree that having an impact on your city is the best part of the job. Both say there are extras on the job you don't always see coming, like being on different boards, more meetings and talking to more people. Both of them, however, love their jobs and providing the best government they can.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Be prepared, that's the advice of Tom Wieseler, mayor of Mount Vernon and Nick Otis, new city council member in Polk City. Both city leaders say they came into the job knowing what the job entailed, so when they finally got elected, they were prepared. Although, as the mayor will tell you, he was not necessarily ready for the complaints about chickens.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Planning, Partnerships and People, that's the key to success in running a city says Dubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen. Retiring after 33 years as city manager, he joins Dubuque City Mayor Brad Cavanagh to talk about the job and his favorite place for pizza.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

On this episode, we hear from three local government leaders: Jeff Pomeranz, city manager of Cedar Rapids; Scott Peterson, city administrator for Jefferson; and Steve Richardson, mayor of Indianola and current president of the Iowa League of Cities.

Three different leaders. Three different roles. Yet they all share the same message: success in city government starts with a commitment to public service and a willingness to keep learning.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Dirk Cavanaugh, Mayor of Perry, says when he was first elected mayor, what surprised him most was the number of operations the city ran and things he didn't think about, like a cemetery.

Also, listen to how a new mayor deals with a city crisis. Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of Riverdale, says when he took office, he got a real appreciation for how all the parts of the city work together. He says while progress can be slow, it's important to hear from all voices as the city moves forward. Including, he emphasized, young people.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Bob Gallagher is the Mayor of Bettendorf and the host of this year's Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference & Exhibit. He has a lot planned for the conference and invited all members to see the best of the Quad Cities. Be prepared to move all around the area.

We also talked about smart growth, new projects and the new snowplow. Yeah baby!

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic