We're officially back for the second half of Public Works Radio's first season, and this time it's all about family.

After years of service in the United States Army, Mike Duffy was eager to transition into a career that offered a similar sense of pride and camaraderie. He struck that balance in public works over the last two and a half decades. He currently serves as the Assistant Public Works Director for the City of Cedar Rapids in Iowa.

Serving something bigger than yourself always comes at a cost. And for Mike Duffy —along with countless other public workers —that sacrifice extends to the home and family life. Janis Duffy is Mike's spouse and a dedicated public servant in her own right. She's been working with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services' foster care adoption unit for nearly three decades.

In a 2025 APWA Reporter article, Janis wrote powerfully about this experience including the values a career of service can instill in your kids, and the challenges, tradeoffs, and sleepless nights public service brings. The public works industry could not work without the dedicated people within it, and we don't talk about the impacts that it has on their families often enough.

In this episode, Janis and Mike outline several great ways to build support systems that promote healthier home lives for everyone touched by a career in public works.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven't already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected] so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

“Public Works from a Family Perspective” article by Janis Duffy from the October 2025 APWA Reporter: https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/october-2025/features/public-works-from-a-family-perspective

“Snowfighting From the Perspective of the Family” webinar recording from the 2025 North American Snow Conference: https://www.apwa.org/resource/snowfighting-from-the-perspective-of-the-family/ 

Cedar Rapids Public Works Department: https://www.cedar-rapids.org/local_government/departments_g_-_v/public_works/index.php

“What Is Public Works?” video for children: https://www.apwa.org/resource/what-is-public-works/

Welcome back to Public Works Radio and while we will be fully back in August with brand new episodes, we're returning this week with a second and final bonus episode.

We're talking about the power of community. Leaning on your peers when times get challenging to fight imposter syndrome, burnout, or feelings of being stuck in your career.

As evidenced by the stories you will soon hear, when you equip yourself with a genuine sense of curiosity and an open mind, the relationships you build might just take you places you never dreamed of.

We're taking a deep dive on relationships, networking, and making that extra effort to attend conferences and get involved outside of business hours.

The overarching theme you’ll hear from all of these folks is that stepping out of your comfort zone, being vulnerable, and asking for help won't guarantee you anything, but it's something you will never regret.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven't already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected]  so we can hear your feedback directly!

In this bonus episode we hear from:

Vic Bianes, PE, APWA President (2025-2026). Vic has nearly four decades of experience in public works administration, management, project management, planning, design, fiscal management, operations-maintenance, and construction.

Margaret Medellin, PE, MPA. Margaret is an Associate Vice President with Hazen and Sawyer. She is a strategic executive leader with a proven track record in the utility, water management, and public works sectors.

Kürt Blomquist. Kurt retired in 2023 from the City of Keene, New Hampshire, where he served as Public Works Director, Assistant City Manager, and Emergency Management Director.

Vincent Olsen, CPFP, Director of Equipment and Fleet Management for the City of Dallas, Texas.

Scott McIver, CPFP, CAFS. Scott serves as Fleet Manager for the City of Greenville, South Carolina.

Aaron Bergeson is a public transit professional in Southern California with extensive public works project management experience, and recent ELA graduate (Class of 2025).

Susan Hann is Deputy Superintendent of Facilities Services at Brevard Public Schools, with 45 years of experience in the public works profession. Sue has served as an ELA instructor from the program's beginnings.

Chad Oxton is a current ELA instructor, past graduate, and a career public works professional specializing in leadership and management based in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

More Show Notes and Resources

Public Works Radio Episode No.1: Leading in Public Works Means Showing Up Every Day: https://www.apwa.org/resource/leading-in-public-works-means-showing-up-every-day/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 4: The Movement to Recognize Public Works Professionals as First Responders: https://www.apwa.org/resource/the-movement-to-recognize-public-works-professionals-as-first-responders/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 6: Sustainability, Resilience, and Preparedness in Public Works for a Safer Tomorrow: https://www.apwa.org/resource/sustainability-resilience-and-preparedness-in-public-works-for-a-safer-tomorrow/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 7: The Emerging Leaders Academy: Celebrating 20 Years of Life-Changing Experiences: https://www.apwa.org/resource/the-emerging-leaders-academy-celebrating-20-years-of-life-changing-experiences/

While we remain on a mid-season summer vacation here at Public Works Radio, we're back this week with a little bonus. Every week, our podcast production team has the unfortunate task of whittling down each episode to about 30 minutes. This means a lot of great stuff finds its way to the cutting room floor.

Today we'll explore top social media tips for public‑works professionals from the first half of season one, including several segments cut from earlier episodes due to time constraints. This bonus episode features the following guests:

As a friendly programming reminder, we’ll be back in July with another bonus episode before the back half of season one kicks off in August.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected] so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

Public Works Radio Episode No. 5: Creative Ideas to Celebrate National Public Works Week with Your Community: https://www.apwa.org/resource/creative-ideas-to-celebrate-national-public-works-week-with-your-community/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 8: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? To Serve Our Communities: https://www.apwa.org/resource/why-did-the-chicken-cross-the-road-to-serve-our-communities/ 

Public Works Radio Episode No. 9: Why Public Works Strategizes for Winter Operations When The Temps Are Hot: https://www.apwa.org/resource/why-public-works-strategizes-for-winter-operations-when-the-temps-are-hot/

Glendale Public Works on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyGlendale

Glendale Public Works on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myglendale/

Glendale Public Works on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myglendale

Greenville Public Works: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/272/Public-Works

Needham's Massachusetts Department of Public Works: https://www.needhamma.gov/5145/About-DPW

“Goat Herds Return to Eat Invasive Plants in Greenville Parks” YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZbF_g7XwE

“Herd at work: Goats are grazing Greenville park as the city's latest landscapers” article: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2024/03/08/goats-are-grazing-greenville-as-the-citys-latest-landscapers/72879011007/

In honor of National Public Works Week, and this year's theme "Rooted in Service, Powered by Community," which acknowledges that the roots of service run deep in public works, we're hitting the road for some face-to-face sidewalk interviews. We want to hear what public works means to everyday people in the community, with a little public works trivia thrown in for good measure.

National Public Works Week celebrates the connection between service to the community and the people it supports, and we thought this would be a great way to wrap the first half of our very first season of Public Works Radio for our mid-season finale.

Equipped with a podcast microphone and a smile, Public Works Radio host Bailey Dickman, showed up at the local farmers' market in Kansas City, just a stone's throw away from APWA headquarters, ready to ask strangers about public works.

Their answers are honest and likely a strong representation of what most people think public works means to their community. And of course, potholes couldn't be left out of the conversation. We also secured a completely by-chance interview with a public works professional right there at the farmers' market.

Afterward, we sat down with Mary Joyce Ivers. She is the Deputy Public Works Director for the City of Ventura, California and a past APWA President. We played Mary Joyce some of the public's responses to get her reaction, then asked what public works means to her.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone, from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven't already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

Just last week we wrapped up APWA's annual North American Snow Conference in Cleveland. While nearly all of us in North America are out of the winter threat and will be for quite some time, it's no coincidence that this event takes place in the middle of spring. As we learn from four passionate experts in today's episode, snow and ice planning is a year-round endeavor — and with summer quickly approaching, right now is actually the perfect time to start the process of ensuring next year's winter prep is a success.

The spring and summer months give public workers a chance to take a step back. Catch their breath. Look back on what worked and what didn't. It's a time to prep equipment, complete inventory and stockpile checks, review contracts, training schedules, route plans, and so much more. Because when snow removal is done right, it can be the defining characteristic of your agency.

In this episode we hear from the following guests:

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected] so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

APWA Winter Maintenance Supervisor Certificate: register here for June 16 program, or click here to learn more: https://www.apwa.org/event/apwa-winter-maintenance-supervisor-certificate/?utm_source=apwa-pod&utm_medium=pwr&utm_id=WMSC_26

APWA Winter Maintenance Resources: https://www.apwa.org/resources/resource-center/?_categories=winter-maintenance

2027 APWA North American Snow Conference: https://www.apwa.org/events/north-american-snow-conference/

Diana Clonch’s Consultancy: www.dwclonch.com

Shorewood Minnesota’s Public Works & Engineering: https://www.shorewoodmn.gov/178/Public-Works-Engineering

Needham's Massachusetts Department of Public Works: https://www.needhamma.gov/5145/About-DPW

Fairbanks International Airport: https://dot.alaska.gov/faiiap/

By definition, a sentinel animal is used as an early warning system for hazards or disease, with a canary in a coal mine being the most famous example. Down in Charlotte County, Florida, it's chickens that are stepping up for the community in what can only be described as the ideal sentinel chicken program.

This program is a vital link between public works and public health, acting as an early warning system for mosquito-borne diseases before they reach the human population (without harming the chickens).

While chickens save the day in Charlotte County, it's the goats in Greenville, South Carolina that are promoting environmental sustainability and safety. Not to mention they've become quite a popular attraction around town and on social media as well. Goats are showing up in Greenville as a true win-win when it comes to promoting sustainability, safety, and cutting down on noise pollution and emissions.

“Goatscaping” is a hit in Greenville, where goats with tons of personality are hired to tackle overgrown areas in difficult spots that would be a safety concern for humans.

We’re joined by three public workers to discuss how animals are being utilized in their communities to benefit just about everyone:

Beth Kovach is a Biological Specialist with Charlotte County, Florida.

Jeff Proffitt serves as Operations Supervisor for the Mosquito and Aquatic Weed Control Division with Charlotte County, Florida.

Staci Schafer is a Parks and Grounds Administrator with the City of Greenville, South Carolina.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected] so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

Charlotte County Mosquito & Aquatic Weed Control: https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/public-works/mosquito-aquatic-weed/

“Charlotte County Sentinel Chicken Program” YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPwHUOuUZA

Greenville Public Works: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/272/Public-Works

“Goat Herds Return to Eat Invasive Plants in Greenville Parks” YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZbF_g7XwE

“Herd at work: Goats are grazing Greenville park as the city's latest landscapers” article: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2024/03/08/goats-are-grazing-greenville-as-the-citys-latest-landscapers/72879011007/

The Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) is a yearlong experience designed to inspire those who lead at all levels in public works. This program features a popular in-person retreat and monthly check-ins with instructors.

Academy members are divided into groups and work throughout the year to solve a public works-related challenge that they present at our PWX conference the following year.

Proving time and again that leadership happens at every level, ELA helps build a robust peer support network and offers an in-depth introduction to APWA at all levels. ELA isn't a classroom; it's a completely immersive experience and this next class will be the 20th cohort in the program's history.

It offers a chance to make lifelong connections and participate in something much bigger than yourself. Applications are open through July 6, 2026 and you can apply here.

We are excited to welcome three guests to this podcast to discuss their experiences within APWA’s Emerging Leaders Academy:

Aaron Bergeson is a public transit professional in Southern California with extensive public works project management experience. He is a recent ELA graduate (Class of 2025) who is passionate about the impact ELA can have on a professional in this field.

Susan Hann is Deputy Superintendent Facilities Services at Brevard Public Schools, with 45 years of experience in the public works profession. Sue has served as an ELA instructor from the program's beginnings. She  has seen its growth in popularity firsthand.

Chad Oxton is a current ELA instructor, past graduate, and a career public works professional specializing in leadership and management based in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected] so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

About Emerging Leaders Academy: https://www.apwa.org/education-careers/emerging-leaders-academy/

Michael Wodke shares thoughts on the value of applying to ELA: https://youtu.be/75nNtQO23-g?si=bB5qKUH1k2z_nFx6

Aaron Bergeson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bergeson/

Susan Hann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-hann-0600b2a/

Chad Oxton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-oxton-400038120/

Nestled within the upstate region of South Carolina, the City of Greenville rarely considers hurricanes a point of critical concern. That suddenly changed with the arrival of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, leaving Scott McIver, CPFP, CAFS, Greenville's Fleet Manager, with lessons that forever changed his understanding of emergency response.

He joins us to discuss those lessons in this week's episode of Public Works Radio, the official podcast of the American Public Works Association (APWA). With news coverage consistently flooding the airwaves about unpredictable weather patterns and the harsh realities coming in its aftermath, Scott's message is crystal clear: the critical value of FEMA training cannot be overstated.

This week we're talking about fleet preparedness, resilience, dealing with unpredictable weather patterns, and public works agencies as crucial pillars for building resilient communities. As our other guest this week, Vincent Olsen, CPFP, Director of Equipment and Fleet Management for the City of Dallas, Texas, describes it, our old friends, coordination and communication, play a major role in all of this.

This episode was inspired in-part by Scott’s APWA Reporter article from September 2025, entitled, “Lessons Learned as a Fleet Manager During a FEMA-Level Event (Hurricane Helene),”  which you can check out here: https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/september-2025/features/lessons-learned-as-a-fleet-manager-during-a-fema-level-event-hurricane-helene

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected] so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

APWA’s Emergency Management Committee:

https://www.apwa.org/group/emergency-management/

APWA’s Sustainability and Resiliency Committee:

https://www.apwa.org/group/sustainability-and-resiliency/

APWA’s Sustainability and Resiliency Online Learning Library:

https://www.apwa.org/connections-networking/groups-committees/sustainability-and-resiliency-online-learning-library/

Emergency Management Resources:

Taking place May 17–23, this year’s National Public Works Week theme is “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” and that special time of year will be here before you know it. To get the ball rolling, we’ve invited some of the most inspiring public workers in the country to join our show and share their ideas on how they make this week so special.

From ideas for celebrating with food, trivia, local small businesses, touch-a-truck events, food drives, barbecue competitions, social media campaigns, awards, giveaways, and much more, we hope this episode inspires you. We also hope you find something in the show to bring back to your team and community to make your National Public Works Week truly special.

Join us as we go coast to coast to find some of the most unique ways teams around the country are celebrating.

In this episode we hear from the following guests:

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected] so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Links

Your Complete Guide to NPWW 2026: https://www.apwa.org/events/national-public-works-week-npww/ 

About Petra Beglarian, MPA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-beglarian-mpa-362217171/  

About Ryon Bell, CPWP-M, CAPM: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryon-bell-cpwp-m-capm-399aa4223/ 

About Ani Oganesyan, MPA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ani-oganesyan-mpa-616218171    

About Thomas Roy, PE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-roy-63a853208   

Glendale Public Works on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyGlendale 

Glendale Public Works on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myglendale 

Glendale Public Works on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myglendale 

Simsbury, Connecticut Public Works: https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/public-works 

Sugar Land, Texas Public Works: https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/98/Public-Works

While police, fire, and EMS are commonly recognized as first responders, public works professionals are often on the scene as well, quietly doing essential work to restore normalcy in communities without the praise or recognition.

In this week’s edition of Public Works Radio, the official podcast of the American Public Works Association (APWA), we’re exploring the stories of why public workers are first responders and addressing the efforts it will require to ensure more formal recognition of public works professionals designated as first responders.

The movement requires many public workers to step out of their comfort zones, help get the word out about the fundamental role public works plays in partnership with their fellow first responders, and ensure more people in their communities understand the incredible work they do.

In this episode we hear from the following guests:

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at [email protected] so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Links

Public Works as First Responders resources from APWA: https://www.apwa.org/resources/public-works-first-responders/

Lessons as First Responders: Responding to the 2024 Hurricanes (webinar): https://www.apwa.org/resource/lessons-as-first-responders-responding-to-the-2024-hurricanes/ 

From FEMA’s YouTube Channel, "Public Works & Emergency Management": https://youtu.be/Y5i-oguCJ7Q?si=5lwJvjcHKO6Dzl3F

Learn more about Kürt Blomquist’s impact on Keene, NH: https://www.keenesentinel.com/news/local/city/after-3-decades-keenes-public-works-director-to-retire/article_fa286221-6b52-509c-9bac-74544a4c69d7.html

Phillip Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipmann/