Odessa, Texas is hiring two Assistant City Attorneys, and this PositionCast™ episode of The Clear Voice takes you inside the opportunity.

Host James Groom is joined by recruiter Kelly Kuenstler, Odessa City Manager Aaron Smith, and City Attorney James Parker to walk through the structure, expectations, and day to day reality of these roles inside a large and growing West Texas organization.

Odessa operates under a council manager form of government with a highly engaged council that understands its role and trusts staff to lead. That structure creates a stable environment where legal professionals can focus on advising and execution, not internal friction.

The legal department is built around a partnership model. Attorneys are expected to help departments accomplish objectives within the law, not act as gatekeepers. The focus is on finding compliant paths forward and supporting progress across the organization.

These positions offer broad exposure to municipal law with flexibility to develop specialized interests over time. Attorneys may work across land use, zoning, public safety, procurement, and general advisory work while building depth in areas that align with their strengths.

The role requires both proactive and reactive legal work. Attorneys are expected to identify issues early while also responding to real time challenges across a complex organization.

Odessa’s municipal court handles approximately 2,200 cases annually. The city operates with roughly 1,000 employees and a budget in the $330 million range, serving a regional population that functions closer to 200,000.

Leadership within the legal department emphasizes teaching, autonomy, and professional growth. Attorneys are given responsibility, encouraged to make decisions, and supported through the learning process in a collaborative environment.

For candidates, the key question is simple, why municipal law. This opportunity is designed for attorneys who want to learn, grow, and directly impact how a city operates and serves its community.

To learn more or apply, visit clearcareerpro.com under Career Opportunities.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

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Certainly a lot to unpack as we feature three amazing opportunities from Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Ruidoso is entering a defining moment.

In this PositionCast™ episode of The Clear Voice, Mayor Lynn Crawford and City Manager Ron Sena join recruiter Kelly Kuenstler and Host James Groom to outline three critical leadership roles that will help shape the future of the Village of Ruidoso.

This is more than a recruitment. It is an opportunity to step into a community that is rebuilding, growing, and positioning itself for long-term success after significant challenges.

Ruidoso is a small mountain community with big aspirations.

Located in the Lincoln National Forest at elevations between 6,500 and 12,000 feet, the Village blends natural beauty with a tourism-driven economy. It serves as a destination for both weekend visitors and long-term seasonal residents, particularly from Texas.

Recent years have brought major challenges, including wildfires and flooding that destroyed over 1,300 homes. In response, the Village has secured substantial federal and state funding and is now actively rebuilding infrastructure, housing, and long-term resilience systems.

At the same time, Ruidoso is advancing major initiatives, including a $145 million green energy project, expansion of the regional airport, and hosting international events such as Ironman and XTERRA.

This is not a maintenance phase. This is transformation.

Three director-level roles are open, each playing a critical role in the Village’s future.

Ruidoso operates with a high-performance, team-oriented culture.

Leadership expectations include collaboration across departments, transparency with elected officials and the public, responsiveness to residents, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment.

The organization emphasizes hiring strong people, providing support, and allowing them to lead. Departments are expected to work together, not in silos.

This is a small town environment with big responsibilities.

Candidates should understand the Village’s recovery from fires and floods, review key planning documents, and be prepared for a tourism-driven workload that includes seasonal demands.

This is local government at its most direct. Your work will have a visible impact on the community.

Ruidoso offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career in a place where leadership matters.

It is a community where you can see the results of your work, be part of a close-knit team, and help shape the future during a critical period of growth and recovery.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

Career Opportunities

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What does it take to develop strong leaders in local government, and why do so many high performers struggle when they move into leadership roles?

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom, Clear Vice President and Host of The Clear Voice, is joined by Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals, for a conversation with LaShon Ross, Deputy City Manager for the City of Plano, Texas.

With more than 30 years of experience in municipal government, LaShon shares practical insight on leadership development, accountability, and the human side of managing organizations that serve the public. The conversation explores the transition from individual contributor to supervisor, the importance of coaching and difficult conversations, and why technical competence alone is not enough to lead effectively.

LaShon also discusses how local governments can strengthen leadership pipelines, improve organizational culture, and better prepare the next generation of public servants. From accountability beyond the spreadsheet to communication, mentorship, and self awareness, this episode provides a clear and practical look at leadership in today’s public sector.

Leadership development in local government

LaShon Ross is the Deputy City Manager for the City of Plano, Texas, with more than three decades of experience in local government. She has served in key leadership roles including Human Resources Director and Deputy City Manager, with responsibility for organizational development, employee relations, and executive leadership support.

After retiring from Plano in 2016, she worked as a professional development facilitator and leadership trainer before returning to the City of Plano in 2022 as Director of Human Resources and Risk Management. She was appointed Deputy City Manager again in 2023.

Her work focuses on leadership development, organizational culture, and helping individuals understand their value beyond their work accomplishments.

Strong leadership requires more than technical ability. Leaders must be able to manage people, navigate conflict, and communicate effectively across an organization.

High performers are often promoted without being prepared for leadership, which can create challenges for both the individual and the organization. Intentional leadership development and coaching are critical to long term success.

Accountability in local government extends beyond financial oversight. It includes decision making, communication, and alignment with organizational values and community expectations.

Difficult conversations are a necessary part of leadership. Avoiding them can lead to performance issues and reduced trust within teams.

Local governments are facing increasing demands while managing workforce challenges and evolving expectations from their communities.

Developing strong leaders at every level is essential to maintaining effective, responsive organizations. This episode provides practical insight for professionals looking to grow into leadership roles and for organizations working to build stronger teams.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

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In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom is joined by Chief Carrie Ellis, a law enforcement leader with more than three decades of experience and the author of Ma’am In Command.

Chief Ellis currently serves as the Chief of Police at Central Texas College and was recently sworn in as President of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, becoming only the second woman to hold that position in roughly thirty years.

This conversation explores the realities women face in law enforcement, but more importantly, the practical leadership lessons required to reach command positions. While the book is written with women in mind, much of the guidance applies to anyone pursuing executive leadership in policing.

The discussion also expands beyond policing to examine how police chiefs, city managers, and elected officials influence organizational culture, recruitment, and leadership development inside departments.

Chief Ellis shares her journey into law enforcement, the barriers she encountered, and the mindset required to overcome them. She also discusses the 30×30 initiative and what agencies are getting right, and where more work is needed to build sustainable leadership pipelines.

This episode is a must listen for police executives, city managers, and anyone interested in leadership development within local government.

• Why Chief Ellis wrote Ma’am In Command and the gap it fills in leadership development

Leadership is built over time, not in a single moment

Listening is one of the most critical leadership skills

Leadership culture starts at the top

Confidence and mindset are critical to advancement

🔗 Ma’am In Command

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

Career Opportunities

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In Episode #52 of The Clear Voice, Marty Schmitt, President and CEO of AGCM, and Kendra Hickman, Director of Operations for AGCM South Texas, join the show to discuss what it actually takes to deliver successful public sector projects.

They are joined by Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals, and James Groom, Host of The Clear Voice.

From city facilities and infrastructure to school district bond programs, public sector leaders are often responsible for multimillion dollar projects without having the time, staff, or technical expertise to manage every detail. Even when leaders do everything right, projects can still fall behind schedule, exceed budgets, and create significant pressure from elected officials and the community.

This episode explores the real reasons projects fail and what separates successful outcomes from costly setbacks.

Marty and Kendra break down the critical role of communication, stakeholder alignment, and trust in project delivery. They explain how breakdowns between architects, contractors, and municipalities lead to delays, change orders, and finger pointing, and why those issues are often preventable with the right structure in place.

The conversation also highlights the value of owner’s representation in the public sector. Rather than designing or building projects, an owner’s representative serves as an extension of the municipality, providing unbiased oversight, protecting budgets, managing schedules, and ensuring that the final product meets the expectations of both leadership and the community.

Key topics include:

This episode is designed for city managers, assistant city managers, public works directors, finance directors, school district leaders, and elected officials who are responsible for delivering capital projects in their communities.

Whether you are preparing for a major project or currently managing one, this conversation provides practical insight into reducing risk, improving outcomes, and protecting public trust.

AGCM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ag-cm-inc-/

AGCM Website: https://www.agcm.com/

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

Career Opportunities

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Marshall, TX City Manager Recruitment | PositionCast™

Marshall, Texas is at a pivotal moment.

In this PositionCast™ episode of The Clear Voice, Mayor Amy Ware joins Clear Career Professionals Vice President and recruiter and Retired City Manager Brad Stafford along with Host, James Groom, to provide a detailed look at the City Manager opportunity in Marshall. This conversation goes beyond the job brochure to explore the leadership expectations, community culture, and real opportunities for impact.

Marshall offers a rare combination of historic character and forward-looking growth. With major infrastructure investments, strong institutional partnerships, and a supportive governing body, this role presents a chance to lead meaningful, visible progress in a community ready to move forward.

The City Manager in Marshall will step into a role with both stability and momentum. The City is investing in core infrastructure, including major water and wastewater system upgrades, while also expanding quality of life initiatives such as parks, recreation, and community facilities.

Key focus areas include:

This is a hands-on leadership role with the ability to influence multiple facets of the organization and community.

Marshall is located in Northeast Texas, approximately two hours east of Dallas, and offers a distinct blend of small-town accessibility and regional connectivity.

Highlights include:

The community maintains a welcoming culture while continuing to attract new residents and investment.

The ideal candidate is not just an administrator, but a visible and engaged leader.

Key traits for success:

This is a role for someone who wants to be part of the community.

Marshall benefits from strong collaboration across organizations and institutions.

Notable strengths include:

The environment is cooperative, not siloed, allowing leaders to move initiatives forward more effectively.

This position offers a balance of operational leadership and strategic impact.

Candidates will have the opportunity to:

For the right leader, this is an opportunity to leave a lasting mark.

To learn more about this opportunity and apply:

Career Opportunities: https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

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The City of Lufkin, Texas is at a pivotal moment, focused on steady, intentional growth and delivering tangible improvements that residents can see and experience every day.

In this PositionCast™, Host of The Clear Voice and Retired Police Chief James Groom is joined by Retired City Manager and President of Clear Career Professionals, Michael Boese, Lufkin City Manager Kevin Gee, and Lufkin Assistant City Manager Brian Bray to break down the Director of Engineering opportunity designed with flexibility in mind. Whether you are an experienced public sector leader or a private sector engineer ready to step into management, this role can be tailored to fit your background and career goals.

This is a hands-on leadership position with real impact. From infrastructure and utilities to downtown revitalization, parks, and long-range development planning, the Director of Engineering will play a central role in shaping Lufkin’s future.

Beyond the work itself, Lufkin offers a unique quality of life. As a regional hub in East Texas, the city combines strong amenities, community events, and economic activity with a small-town feel and access to nature.

The organization emphasizes collaboration, open communication, and a team-oriented culture where departments work together to solve problems and move projects forward.

For engineers considering the move from private to public sector, this role offers something different. The work is not driven by the bottom line, but by service to the community. You can see the results of your work, experience them firsthand, and build a lasting legacy in one place.

Compensation ranges from $110,000 to $150,000, with strong benefits including TMRS retirement, paid time off, and a focus on work-life balance.

If you are looking for a role where you can lead, grow, and make a visible impact, this opportunity in Lufkin is worth exploring.

To learn more or apply, visit:

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

Career Opportunities

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In this episode of The Clear Voice, we sit down with Andrew Weber, a Texas attorney and public policy leader focused on groundwater, water governance, and aquifer sustainability.

Andrew is a partner at Kelly Hart and Hallman, where he leads the Austin office and chairs the firm’s Public Law practice, working at the intersection of law, policy, and government relations before the Texas Legislature and state agencies. He currently serves as President and Executive Director of the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association and President of Friends of Wimberley Parks, where his work centers on groundwater protection and regional water stewardship.

Earlier in his career, Andrew served on the staff of the Texas Supreme Court and later as First Assistant Attorney General of Texas, giving him experience at the highest levels of state government before transitioning into nonprofit advocacy and water policy.

In this conversation, we break down how groundwater conservation districts work, why Desired Future Conditions matter, and the growing challenges around data, modeling, and determining how much water is truly available. We also explore “white zones” where no groundwater districts exist, creating gaps in regulation and long-term planning.

Andrew shares insight into ongoing litigation involving Aqua Texas, the role of private utilities, and the broader tension between development, property rights, and resource sustainability. The discussion also covers recent legislative activity, funding efforts, and what may be coming next for water policy in Texas and beyond.

The episode closes with practical advice for city leaders, emphasizing the importance of requiring sustainable water sourcing before approving development and the growing need for informed, science-based decision making at the local level.

Learn more:

Training resource mentioned in the episode:

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

Career Opportunities

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Leadership is often portrayed as vision, strategy, and motivation. But experienced leaders know there is another side. The difficult conversations, personnel decisions, and moments when doing the right thing carries real consequences for people and organizations.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, host and Retired Police Chief James Groom sits down with Ron Ward, Amazon bestselling author of The Dirty Side of Leadership, executive coach, and founder of 4Ward Operations. Ron spent more than 26 years in federal service, including leadership roles within the United States Probation and Pretrial Services system and serving as Director of Training for the Federal Probation and Pretrial Services National Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Ron shares how those experiences shaped his perspective on leadership and ultimately led to his book The Dirty Side of Leadership. The book focuses on the moments leaders rarely talk about openly, including difficult personnel decisions, managing internal conflict, and carrying the responsibility that comes with leadership authority.

The conversation explores how leaders can prepare for those moments through scenario based leadership training, communication awareness, and executive coaching. Ron explains how many leadership problems stem from perception gaps, misunderstandings, and a lack of self awareness. Developing stronger communication skills and emotional awareness can help leaders navigate difficult situations while maintaining trust within their teams.

James and Ron also discuss Ron’s podcast The Dirty Side of Leadership, which he co hosts with Kristin Sokoloff. Their show blends leadership lessons with storytelling and humor, creating an engaging format that explores the real challenges leaders face in their organizations.

For leaders in municipal government, public safety, and executive leadership roles, this episode offers insight into the realities of leadership, the importance of communication and trust, and the mindset required to make difficult decisions when it matters most.

Ron’s message throughout the episode is clear. Leadership is not defined by easy moments. It is defined by how leaders handle the difficult ones and whether they leave the organization better than they found it.

Website

Book

Podcast

Interview Skills to Land Your Dream Job

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

Career Opportunities

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Strong communities are built one life at a time, and at the center of every strong community are its kids.

Episode 47 features Dena Petty, Founder and Director of Mentors Care, in conversation with host and Retired Police Chief James Groom. This episode explores how structured mentoring programs create measurable impact for at-risk students and strengthen schools, cities, and entire communities.

Founded in Midlothian, Texas in 2009, Mentors Care connects students with consistent, caring adult mentors inside public high schools. What began as Dena Petty’s deeply personal journey through adversity has grown into a structured mentoring model now serving 23 high schools with documented outcomes.

In this conversation, Dena shares how her childhood shaped the mission behind Mentors Care, why mentoring must be intentional and organized to succeed, and how measurable results demonstrate long-term community impact.

Among students with a history of disciplinary referrals, 63 percent improved their behavior while in the program. Attendance rates have improved across participating campuses, and thousands of student outcries have been identified and addressed through consistent adult relationships.

• Mentoring at-risk students

Dena Petty’s new book, Collateral Hope, shares the deeply personal story behind Mentors Care and the adversity that shaped her mission. Through honest reflection and lived experience, the book highlights how resilience, faith, and the presence of caring mentors can alter the trajectory of a life.

The official book launch event will take place:

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Wilson’s Seafood & Grill

Purchase Collateral Hope on Amazon:

Dena Petty

Wilson’s Seafood & Grill, Midlothian Texas

00:00 Mentoring and Strong Communities

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

Career Opportunities

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