Crestview Mayor JB Whitten shares his story of helpingusher in a new era of professional management for his city. JB explains how his time on the council revealed inefficiencies caused by a lack of centralized leadership. He led efforts to educate residents on the value of the council-manager system, eventually helping Crestview hire its first city manager in 2019. With a 30-year career in the Air Force and training from IEMO, JB brings disciplined leadership and a long-term vision to the mayor's office.

John Eason, Deputy City Manager of Wauchula, joins host Steve Vancore to share his career journey from military service and law enforcement to city administration. After serving as Chief of Police, John transitioned into local government leadership, driven by a commitment to public service and community impact.

He discusses balancing visible projects, such as parks and roundabouts, with essential infrastructure needs, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and equitable service delivery. John also highlights the importance of communication, public trust, and ensuring that staff are equipped to meet resident expectations.

Through a servant leadership lens, John offers practical insights for managing growth, navigating priorities, and leading with integrity in local government.

Dale Martin, City Manager of Flagler Beach, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss his transition from Connecticut to Florida and his love of board games (he owns more than 600!). Dale draws parallels between the complexity of board games and the skills needed to manage a city effectively, including strategy, adaptation, and foresight. The conversation also explores the importance of having an exit strategy in city management, particularly given the political nature of the role and the challenges that can come unexpectedly.

In the 200th episode of the FCCMA Podcast, host Steve Vancore is joined by Casey Cook, Executive Director of FCCMA and Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Florida League of Cities, for a timely and critical conversation about the future of local government in Florida. Casey outlines the growing legislative threats to property tax revenues, warning of a potential existential crisis for municipalities if core funding sources are undermined.

Casey offers practical and actionable advice for local government leaders on how to push back against these threats by clearly communicating the value of city services. He stresses the importance of educating residents about the essential functions cities provide and the consequences of reducing local government funding. The episode delivers a candid update on the current policy landscape in Tallahassee. As FCCMA celebrates 200 episodes, Casey reminds listeners that the work of local government is not just essential, it is worth protecting, and it is time for leaders to stand together.

In this episode, Ed Mitchell shares his journey transitioning from city administrator to private sector executive, highlighting the professional challenges and transferable skills that shaped his path. Now Senior Vice President at U.S. Water, Ed discusses how he overcame early setbacks and built a career serving local governments from a different angle.

Ed and Steve explore Florida’s pressing water infrastructure issues, from saltwater intrusion to underfunded sewer systems. They highlight real-world examples like Fort Pierce and Longboat Key, emphasizing the need for proactive investment and long-term planning to avoid costly failures.

County Administrator Howard Wanamaker joins host Steve Vancore to discuss his unique path from naval pilot to local government leadership. Drawing on military and private-sector experience, Howard shares how principles like standardization, accountability, and performance tracking shape his approach to county management.

He reflects on applying business strategies to public service, using KPIs and strategic planning to guide decisions. The conversation also covers Clay County’s growth, including major infrastructure projects and efforts to attract employers through personal engagement and the county’s strategic location.

Lee Feldman, former city manager and now principal at the Euclid Group, joins host Steve Vancore to explore how strategic advisory work can strengthen the connection between government and the development community. Lee introduces the idea of the “toposcrat,” a keeper of place, offering a fresh perspective on public service that focuses on stewardship rather than bureaucracy.

The conversation covers the power of language in shaping public perception, with Lee emphasizing how using terminology such as “child protection” instead of “child welfare” can influence community trust and engagement. They also reflect on zoning systems, the evolving demands on city managers, and the strain caused by social media’s influence on local discourse.

Kathleen Gunn, former Deputy Village Manager of Miami Shores, joins host Steve Vancore to explore how local government leaders can better care for their emotional and spiritual well-being. She proposes chaplaincy services for city managers—distinct from counseling—to address moral and emotional challenges in public leadership.

They discuss work-life balance, the pressures of public scrutiny, and Kathleen’s own wellness practices, including meditation and morning routines. The episode also touches on the dual role of artificial intelligence in municipal operations—either as a helpful tool for communication or a new layer of complexity, depending on how it’s used.

Steve Kennedy, City Manager of Green Cove Springs, joins host Steve Vancore to share his unexpected journey from near-retirement in Georgia to leading one of Florida’s fastest-growing small cities. Drawing from his background in accounting and youth sports coaching, Kennedy explains his team-building philosophy: assess individual strengths and place people in roles where they can succeed, even if it means reshuffling original expectations. He emphasizes building strong, skill-based teams as a key to effective leadership in local government.

The episode also explores Green Cove Springs’ strategic growth, supported by its proximity to Jacksonville and enhanced by major infrastructure projects like the First Coast Expressway. Kennedy discusses the city’s unique position as a more affordable, well-connected alternative to surrounding areas, and how he prefers managing planned, systematic growth over chasing expansion.

John Boehm, Assistant to the City Manager at Palm BeachGardens, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss the success of the FCCMA municipal internship program and its impact on both students and host communities. John shares his city's positive experience hosting an intern who contributed to an economic development project while gaining real-world exposure to public service through shadowing and team engagement.

The conversation highlights the value of paid, structuredinternships as a tool for both workforce development and internal staff inspiration. John reflects on his own career path through an FCCMA internship and emphasizes the importance of mentorship, matching intern skills with project needs, and providing meaningful, hands-on work.

The two discuss the competitive nature of the FCCMA’sstipend-based internship funding program, which encourages cities to create and prioritize internship opportunities. They underline how these programs strengthen the talent pipeline and help local governments meet staffing needs while cultivating the next generation of public leaders.