Stephen M.R. Covey, general session speaker at the 2024 FCCMA Annual Conference, draws from his father Stephen R. Covey’s legacy, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Stephen discusses the significant changes in the world and how leadership styles must evolve accordingly. He emphasizes that people prefer to be led and trusted rather than managed. He highlights the importance of building trust through character and competence and encourages listeners to focus on their own trustworthiness to foster trust within their teams.

Jeff Civillico, a keynote speaker at the 2024 FCCMA Annual Conference, shares his journey from being a 7-year-old volunteer in a street performance to becoming a performer and producer with his own show in Las Vegas for 10 years, ending in 2020. Jeff encourages listeners to reflect on the people who have influenced them and how they, in turn, can influence others. He emphasizes the impact one can have from their unique platform.

Crystal Washington works with clients to help them identify potential futures and prepare for them. In this episode, she discusses dealing with current problems while making time for future planning, such as scheduling time to be curious. She emphasizes the importance of horizon scanning, looking for small signals amid the noise, and distinguishing trends. Crystal recommends the book “Factfulness,” which addresses human anxieties and explains why we shouldn't be as worried as we are. She also discusses the role of artificial intelligence in futurism and long-term planning, and she explores the current and future implications of social media with Steve.

Mark Zeigler, a long-term professor at Florida State University, delivered a keynote address at the 2024 FCCMA Annual Conference. In his speech, Mark discussed the importance of general communication principles, the current state of society, and our individual roles within our communities. He emphasized conflict resolution, transparency, empathy, and handling challenges and criticisms as city leaders. Mark also tackled the issue of a high need for control, asking, "Can you gather people around you who can provide checks and balances, or who will give you honest feedback when you need to run something by them?"

Today we re-visit Director Guthrie who speaks directly to city and county management with the end goal of saving lives and recovering tens of millions of dollars through FDEM and FEMA.

Mike Crow, the Assistant General Manager for Power Delivery for City of Tallahassee Utilities, shares an in-depth account of the recovery efforts following three tornadoes that hit Tallahassee on May 10 and left 80,000 customers without power. Mike discusses the detailed storm plan that guided their response, including the rapid mobilization of 433 additional workers, boosting their workforce to over 700 within hours of the storm. He covers the logistical challenges of weather-related recoveries and the importance of clear communication with city residents. Mike provides valuable advice on developing comprehensive storm plans,  and he emphasizes the need for specific roles and responsibilities rather than broad departmental assignments.

Steve Langley, the Electric Utility Director for Mount Dora, joins us to highlight the importance of mutual aid in disaster recovery. Following the catastrophic tornadoes in Tallahassee on May 10, utilities across the state rallied to support the capital in a coordinated effort led by FMEA. Steve delves into the mutual aid agreement facilitated by the American Public Power Association, which enables municipal utilities not only in Florida but across the nation to assist one another during emergencies. He emphasizes how these agreements are crucial for swift and effective response to large-scale utility disruptions.

In this episode, we talk with Amy Zubaly, the Executive Director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), who has been with the organization for 25 years and in her current role since 2017. Amy shares insights into FMEA's pivotal role in supporting Florida’s 33 city-owned utilities, particularly during hurricanes and emergencies. As the 2024 hurricane season looms with a dire forecast, Amy emphasizes the importance of preparedness, and notes that it only takes one storm to wreak havoc on a city. She discusses FMEA's function as a mutual aid coordinator, connecting state and federal partners and mobilizing extra assistance for member utilities when disaster strikes. Amy’s expertise underscores the necessity for cities to have robust plans in place for any eventuality.

In Episode #144, we meet William Whitson, a seasoned public service professional with a resume that includes a decade in Washington, DC, and frontline experience in nine hurricane recoveries. His pragmatic approach to emergency preparedness, honed by experiences ranging from Hurricanes Erin and Opal to the devastations of Katrina and Harvey, provides a master class for city managers. William's crucial advice: engage proactively with the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (F-ROC) program to navigate the bureaucratic aftermath of disasters confidently.

Craig Hunter, with decades of experience and now retired, reflects on his career in Episode #144. He revisits his initial forays into writing zoning codes and integrating them with planning documents. A conversation with Steve reveals Craig's philosophy that crises present opportunities. Through his career, Craig has observed how challenges can serve as catalysts for innovation and progress within the realms of zoning and planning.