Suzanne Sherman, the City Manager of Palm Bay, discusses the complexities of ethical decision-making in local government. As Palm Bay has rapidly grown to nearly 100 square miles with a population increase from 20,000 to 140,000 in just 20 years, Suzanne has focused on restoring public trust following past ethics violations and investigations. She emphasizes the importance of continuous ethics training, attending sessions twice a year to stay sharp and aware of the nuances in ethical dilemmas. Suzanne highlights that many decisions in government require careful, deliberative thinking, and consideration of the impact on all parties involved.

Mike Carballa, County Administrator of Pasco County, joins host Steve Vancore to share the leadership philosophy driving his tenure. Mike walks through his "people, purpose, and performance" framework — prioritizing employees, connecting them to the organization's mission of serving the community to create a better future, and empowering staff with autonomy and support. He details how this approach shifted Pasco County away from a command-and-control culture, lifting employee engagement scores from 30% to over 50%.

Mike and Steve also cover the county's hurricane response, including innovative debris removal strategies and managing expectations with elected officials during emergencies. The conversation closes with a look at Pasco County's expansive park system and environmental preservation efforts, and why community-focused initiatives tend to earn strong voter support.

Chad Edwards, Borough Manager of Breckenridge, PA, joins host Steve Vancore to recount one of the most extraordinary disaster recovery challenges in recent municipal history. Before his current role, Chad served as village manager of East Palestine, Ohio, stepping into the position in the immediate aftermath of the 2023 train derailment that sent toxic chemicals spilling across the community, just outside city limits, with no village manager in place at the time it occurred.

Chad reflects on the complex task of rebuilding a community divided between economic recovery and ongoing health concerns, and shares the leadership lessons he took from navigating a crisis not of his making. Steve and Chad also discuss how Pennsylvania's municipal classification system works and what it means to lead through disaster when a community's trust and health hang in the balance.

Heidi Siegel, Town Manager of Jupiter Inlet Colony, joins host Steve Vancore to offer a window into one of Florida's most unique municipalities. Founded in 1959 on the northern edge of Palm Beach County, the town is entirely residential — 267 homes and between 400 and 600 residents depending on the season — with a small but dedicated staff and a concierge-level approach to local government.

Heidi joined the town in August 2024 as its first-ever town manager following a change to the town's charter. She and Steve discuss what it means to be a small-government specialist (not just a jack-of-all-trades but a master of all trades) and the distinctive demands and rewards of serving a tight-knit, high-expectation community.

Michael Pleus, City Manager of DeLand, joins host Steve Vancore to share his experience as an ICMA scholarship recipient for the Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government at Harvard University. Michael describes the month-long program in Cambridge, where participants spend the first two weeks building a leadership toolkit before applying it as consultants to real-world case studies brought by their cohort.

With 26 years at the City of DeLand — 18 of them as city manager — Michael reflects on the value of learning alongside peers from 19 states, and how exposure to the wide variety of challenges facing communities across the country sharpened his own approach to local government leadership.

Keith Touchberry, City Manager of Cape Canaveral, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of governing a city at the center of America's space industry. Keith shares how economic activity generated by space programs has reshaped the community, while introducing new concerns about noise and vibrations and their implications for building codes and infrastructure.

Before becoming city manager, Keith served as police chief in Fellsmere, and he reflects on how crisis management skills from law enforcement translate directly into city government leadership. He and Steve also explore the role of ethics in public service, with Keith emphasizing that strong leadership means choosing the hard, right decision over the easy wrong one — and that protecting human health and safety must always come first.

Sarah Campbell, City Manager of Fernandina Beach and current FCCMA president, joins host Steve Vancore to discuss some of the most pressing financial challenges facing Florida municipalities. With her term ending in May 2026, Sarah reflects on her advocacy work, including testimony before the Florida legislature on how property taxes fund local government and the importance of transparency in the budget-building process.

Sarah and Steve also dig into the ripple effects of the state-mandated minimum wage increase, particularly the wage compression it created among frontline workers, and what that means for cities trying to attract and retain talent.

Ifo Pili, City Manager of West Valley City, Utah, joins host Steve Vancore to share one of the most distinctive career journeys in local government — from professional football player to city manager. Ifo reflects on his experiences leading multiple cities, including Eagle Mountain and Las Cruces, and the philosophy that has guided him throughout: falling in love with every city he serves.

Ifo and Steve explore the contrasting challenges of managing fast-growing cities versus built-out ones, and dive into economic development strategies, including how to attract data centers and other businesses. Ifo makes the case for post-performance incentives and shares the importance of removing friction so companies can easily say “yes” to calling a city home. It's an energizing conversation about leadership, community investment, and what drives the most effective managers in local government.

Host Steve Vancore talks with KellyWestlund, Deputy Administrator of Bay County, Wisconsin, about the real-worldchallenges of environmental infrastructure and how communities respond whencosts and growth collide.

Kelly shares how aging septic systemsand population shifts are straining water quality in northern Wisconsin,drawing parallels to Florida’s septic-to-sewer debates. The conversationhighlights why environmental issues gain traction only when framed aroundtangible outcomes that residents value—clean water, reliable services, andcommunity resilience.

They also discuss resistance to waterrate increases, renewable energy investments like solar microgrids in BayfieldCounty, and the difficulty of advancing affordable housing amid NIMBY concerns.The episode underscores a central theme: technical solutions matter, but clear,locally grounded messaging is what turns long-term needs into public support.

Carlos Sanchez joins host SteveVancore to share his transition from military service to a leadership role inPanama City through the ICMA Veterans Local Government Management Fellowship.During his four-month fellowship, Carlos worked across departments, contributedto safety improvements, and helped shape policy for a new recreation center.

Now serving as Utility OperationsManager, Carlos oversees wastewater, underground utilities, and lift stations.He and Steve discuss how the fellowship program offers a valuable, low-risk wayfor cities to onboard transitioning service members while strengthening theirworkforce.