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PODCAST

Public Works Podcast

Joseph Blackman

Where you come to hear new innovative ideas in the Public Works arena. Stories, trials and tribulations and more. We highlight those who are working behind-the-scenes to keep our communities in motion.

government

All Episodes

40:45

Robert French: Operations Manager for the Capital...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/07/07

Robert French, the Operations Manager for the Capital and Maintenance Division in Elk Grove, who discussed his responsibilities managing capital improvement projects, ADA enhancements, and smaller maintenance tasks, emphasizing their in-house approach to project management and the city's growth. Robert French shared his career path in public works, his move to Elk Grove for long-term maintenance planning, and his insights on effective operations management, including staff development, project

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31:07

Jeff Taylor: SCADA System Supervisor @ City of...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/07/07

Jeff Taylor, SCADA System Supervisor for the City of Riverside's regional water quality control plant, to understand his role, daily responsibilities, and career path. Jeff Taylor described his work as maintaining the automation system of the wastewater plant, which includes servers, PLCs, communication infrastructure, and various devices, with a 50/50 split between office and field work. He also shared insights on essential skills, a major system outage experience, continuous upskilling,

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30:20

Shane Silsby's Government Wrap-up

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/05/30

Shane stops by and updates us on all-things Legislation.

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57:39

Jamie Tuccolo: DPW Director Town of Salisbury, MA

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/05/29

Jamie is Salisbury's Director of Public Works, who detailed the town's seasonal population fluctuations and the DPW's responsibilities across water, sewer, highway, and beach departments, including summer preparations for increased visitors and maintaining beach area infrastructure. Jamie also shared his career journey in municipal government, essential skills for public works directors, his focus on continuous improvement through technology and team building, and addressed common misconceptions

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47:46

Chris Caro: Sewer Condition Assessment Section...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/05/20

Chris is the Sewer Condition Assessment Section Manager at WSSC Water and we chat about his role as the sewer condition assessment section manager, the scope and condition of WSSC Water's infrastructure, and challenges such as aging infrastructure and workforce knowledge transfer. Chris shared insights into his career path, management philosophy, and addressed misconceptions about his position, emphasizing the importance of proper wastewater disposal and acknowledging mentors for guidance. The

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51:00

Terrell Hughes: Director Of Public Works @ Henrico...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/05/20

Terrell is the Public Works Director for Henrico County, who detailed the county's extensive road system and the department's diverse responsibilities. Terrell discussed his typical workday, the award-winning pedestrian safety outreach program, and the early influences and career path that led him to his current role. Key talking points included the importance of communication for a public works director, lessons learned from past experiences, strategies for continuous learning, and addressing

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52:03

Len Wright: Civil Engineer @ Witt O'Briens

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/05/13

Len is a Civil Engineer at Witt O'Briens based in Colorado. Witt O'Briens is a civil engineering firm specializing in disaster recovery, grants management, and funding; Mr. Wright detailed his expertise developed through academic training, fieldwork responding to various disasters, and collaborations with diverse professionals. He emphasized the importance of adaptability, communication, and mentorship in disaster response, along with the need for knowledge preservation and work-life balance. Give

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35:26

Hamed Majidifard: CTO and Co-Founder of Tiger Eye...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/05/13

Hamed is the CTO and Co-Founder of Tiger Eye Engineering. In this episdoe we discussed the company's AI-powered road condition assessment services and client-focused approach. Hamed highlighted Tiger Eye's success in providing accurate, cost-effective solutions for smaller municipalities and partnerships with consulting firms, emphasizing the importance of addressing road deterioration early. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Profesionals.For more:

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30:09

Tanya Nash: Director of Engineering @ Asphalt Testing...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/05/13

Tanya Nash is the Director of Engineering at Asphalt Testing Solutions and Engineering. In this episode we discuss her diverse role, career path, and insights into the asphalt industry, including misconceptions, key skills, and future challenges like the "silver tsunami." Tanya emphasized the importance of collaboration, clear communication, and continuous professional development, advocating for a broader recognition of Asphalt Testing Solutions and Engineering's expertise beyond third-party

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53:11

John Masley: Vac-Con John

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

John Masley and I discussed VAC-CON's new social media strategy, focusing on micro-influencer sales reps creating authentic content to increase brand awareness and educate potential clients within the construction industry. This strategy prioritizes consistent posting across platforms like TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, even with minimal equipment, to bridge the knowledge gap and build trust. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.For

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48:32

Kenna Hubai: Business Services Manager @ Charlotte...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

Kenna Hubai, Business Services Manager for Charlotte County Public Works, covering her diverse role encompassing administrative functions, cemetery management, community redevelopment, and staff development. Kenna detailed daily responsibilities, coastal challenges, collaborative efforts with Karly and her director, and strategies for improving employee training, communication, and overall workplace culture, including implementing a career pathing program. Give the show a listen and remember to

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27:17

John Crisman: Senior Water Process Engineer @ Moleaer

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

John Crisman of Moleaer Nanobubble Technology presented on their nanobubble wastewater treatment technology, highlighting its unique approach to improving separation and biological processes compared to traditional aeration methods. The discussion covered the technology's application in addressing common plant issues, attracting and retaining industry talent, and the importance of collaboration with industrial users and within the field itself; Molair offers scalable solutions for plants of all

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46:36

Tom Wachholder: Public Works Director @ Wenatchee, WA

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

Tom Wachholder, Public Works Director for Wenatchee, Washington, who discussed his daily routine, prioritizing methods, and the complexities of the $335 million Confluence Parkway project. Key themes included the importance of strong internal and external relationships, proactive risk mitigation, and continuous improvement through leadership coaching and team feedback. Next steps include exploring apprenticeship programs and adjusting prerequisites to address the aging workforce, and developing a

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39:23

Devin Page: Wastewater Maintenance Coordinator @...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

Devin Page, Wastewater Maintenance Coordinator at Clackamas County Water and Environment Services, detailed their diverse career path, daily responsibilities (including preventative maintenance and project management), and the crucial skills needed for success in wastewater maintenance, emphasizing problem-solving and hands-on abilities. Paige highlighted the importance of transferable skills, continuous learning (through online resources and industry connections), and dispelling misconceptions

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51:12

Jorge Morales: Director of the Austin Watershed...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

Jorge L. Morales, Director of the Austin Watershed Protection Department, covering the department's stormwater management in Austin, including its unique geography and separate storm sewer system. Key challenges discussed included securing funding for projects, preparing for future storms, and effectively communicating with the public during crises. Mr. Morales advised new watershed managers to understand local contexts, build relationships, and prioritize community engagement and continuous

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44:36

Dr. Amir Cahn: CEO @ SWAN Forum

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

Amir Cahn, CEO of SWAN Forum, presented Swan's mission to accelerate global smart water innovation through a utility-driven, collaborative approach, emphasizing the importance of human factors and addressing legacy companies' adaptation to technological advancements. We talked about action versus discussion, prompting Cahn to highlight the need for regional context and stakeholder trust. Swan plans to expand its reach, potentially incorporating a dedicated academy for e-learning and upskilling. Give

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43:17

Marsha Anderson Bomar: Strategic Transportation...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

Marsha Anderson Bomar, a strategic transportation advisor for GHD and president-elect of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), shared her 50-year career journey, encompassing experiences in both the public and private sectors, entrepreneurship (Street Smarts and Data Smarts), and extensive leadership roles. Her presentation highlighted the importance of mentorship, effective communication, continuous learning, and addressing the engineering workforce shortage through initiatives like

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44:12

Danielle Wernert: Owner of Upskilled Consulting

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/04/09

Danielle is the Owner of Upskilled Consulting and in the episode we discussed the skilled trades labor shortage, emphasizing effective onboarding (30-60-90 day plans, ride-alongs), mentorship, and blended (in-person and virtual) training strategies to address it. We highlighted the need for measuring training ROI through metrics like video views and skill acquisition, building internal video libraries, and utilizing exit interviews and succession planning for knowledge retention and proactive talent

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61:01

Mike McNutt: Public Affairs and Communications...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/03/14

Mike McNutt: Public Affairs and Communications Manager at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District in California. In this episode he detailed his multifaceted role encompassing media relations, crisis communication, and community engagement, highlighting the challenges of building public trust amidst declining confidence in government and misinformation. He discussed strategies for effective communication during crises (wildfires, active shooter situations, the pandemic) and emphasized the importance

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78:12

Ernest Stephens: Senior Executive Recruiter @ City of...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/03/14

Ernest is A Senior Executive Recruiter at the City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities in Washington. In this episode we discussed the challenges and strategies of recruiting for executive-level positions within Seattle Public Utilities, highlighting the importance of aligning candidates with the organization's mission and addressing ageism and other biases in the process. We explored strategies for attracting and retaining talent, including outreach to diverse groups and leveraging existing

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364 results

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