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.

Jonathan H. Hayes, formerly the logistics and public works director for Panama City, shares his experiences in managing the city's growth and recovery, particularly following the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael in 2018. He talks about the expansion of the Panama City airport and the broader development in the Florida Panhandle, emphasizing the importance of resilience in public service. Jonathan reflects on his family's deep roots in Panama City and the ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown area, balancing modern growth with preserving the city's vintage charm and increasing walkability.

In this episode, Richard Florida, the keynote speaker at the 2024 Florida League of Cities Annual Conference, discusses the transformative shift from a physical economy to a creative economy, emphasizing the increasing importance of communities in this new era. He introduces the concept of the “meta-city” and explores its unique impact on Florida. Richard highlights the accessibility of smaller communities to locally owned restaurants and the critical role college towns play in the state's future. He also delves into the rise of digital environments in urban settings, explaining how cities are evolving beyond mere physical spaces to become dynamic, integrated hubs for work and life.

In this episode, Steve sits down with John Curp, the City Manager of Largo in Pinellas County. Largo, a vibrant city with a population of 85,000, is nestled in the densest county in Florida. In Largo, John is pioneering efforts to enhance community livability and walkability. He discusses a partnership with local bars and restaurants to establish an entertainment district with open container allowances. Tune in to discover how John Curp's vision and strategic initiatives are transforming Largo into a dynamic, walkable community that prioritizes local business growth and resident engagement.

Ken Parker, a longtime FCCMA Senior Advisor who has been retired for 10 years, joins us for a live interview at the FCCMA 2024 Annual Conference. Ken moved from Arkansas to Port Orange in Volusia County and discusses his experience in buying 10,000 acres for Port Orange to support the municipality’s growth. Additionally, Ken shares the unique experience of having an alien eradication specialist on his staff and provides fascinating insights into his diverse career.

Olivia Minshew has been the City Manager of Wauchula since 2023 and has been with the City for nearly 20 years. In this episode, Olivia discusses the City’s process of moving to direct deposit and the significant time savings it ultimately brought to her employees. She outlines the change steps involved, which included awareness, preparation, and communication. Olivia also talks about breaking down departmental silos, where previously, departments operated independently with little regard for each other’s activities. Their strategic planning process now includes an employee recognition program that rewards employees for modeling one of the City’s values. 

Jorge Gonzalez, Village Manager of Bal Harbour in Miami-Dade County, shares his experiences managing one of the most successful malls in the world. Jorge believes that being a city manager requires courage, confidence, and conviction – the three Cs. He talks about the challenging positions he has encountered in his career and the importance of adhering to an ethical code.

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.