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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

32:42

Gabriella Zanzarella: Stormwater Operations Analyst @...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/12/22

Joseph Blackman introduced Gabby Zanzarella, a Stormwater Operations Analyst for High Point, North Carolina, whose role involves protecting water quality, maintaining infrastructure, and environmental stewardship, often in high-pressure situations, requiring adaptability and effective communication. Gabby shared her non-traditional career path, which included a degree in environmental management and experience in urban forestry and nonprofit work, and discussed how their passion for hula hooping

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48:07

Travis Kearney: Wastewater Collection Supervisor @...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/12/22

Joseph Blackman welcomed Travis Kearney, Wastewater Collection Supervisor at Carpenteria Sanitary District, to the public works podcast, where Travis outlined his multi-faceted role, including managing 42 miles of pipe, overseeing maintenance and inspections, and maintaining 133 unique E1 grinder pumps in the small beach community. Travis emphasized the importance of a positive mindset and rotating work activities for team development, while also detailing the integration of the Lucidity CMMS system

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44:56

Lucia Diaz: Manager of Facilities & Water System...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/12/03

Joseph Blackman introduced Lucia Diaz, the Manager of Facilities and Water System Programs for Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), who provided an overview of IEUA's wholesale water services, wastewater treatment, and her extensive role overseeing facilities management, conveyance systems, and physical security. Lucia detailed her career progression from a construction background to being the first female construction coordinator at IEUA, where she successfully managed major projects despite

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50:51

Kristina Ramirez: City Engineer @ the City of Harker...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/12/03

Joseph Blackman introduced Kristina Ramirez, the City Engineer at Harker Heights, Texas, to discuss her diverse responsibilities, which include managing capital improvement projects (CIP), ensuring compliance for development plans, and prioritizing public communication and transparency. Kristina highlighted that a city engineer's essential skill sets are communication, active listening, and bridging technical knowledge with field realities, sharing that public interaction is vital for their small

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22:33

Danielle Blacet-Hyden: Executive Director at...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/12/03

Joseph Blackman welcomed Danielle Blacet, Executive Director at the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), who explained that CMUA is a nonprofit trade association representing 86 water, wastewater, and publicly owned electric and gas utilities in California, primarily focusing on advocacy in legislative and regulatory arenas. Danielle highlighted CMUA’s advocacy win, securing $3 billion from the state for Californians to pay overdue water and energy utility bills, and discussed the high

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49:28

Sumant Patel: Manager of Operations Wastewater...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/12/03

Joseph Blackman interviewed Sumant Patel, Manager of Operations Wastewater Services at the City of Guelph, about his professional role, which involves managing daily operations, planning strategic priorities, and ensuring resource support for staff, all while focusing on optimization to reliably deliver wastewater treatment services. Sumant shared his career path from software engineering to wastewater, emphasizing the importance of strategic asset management, financial stewardship, stakeholder

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58:23

Elia Twigg: APWA's Jennings Randolph Scholarship...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/11/24

Joseph Blackman welcomed Elia Twigg, CEO of Lantic Solutions, to the public works podcast to discuss Elia Twigg's civil engineering career, ranging from discovering the field in 11th grade and joining UF's "step-up program," to progressing through city roles to become the Public Works Director, and eventually founding Lantic Solutions in 2022. Elia Twigg detailed their experience as a Jennings Randolph Scholarship recipient in 2013, focusing on a study tour in Australia to learn how public works are

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32:54

Max Herzog: Deputy Director of Programs and...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Joseph Blackman and Max Herzog discussed the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), a nonprofit economic development organization focused on supporting water technology innovation in Ohio and the Great Lakes region. Max Herzog, Deputy Director of Programs and Partnerships at CWA, explained that the organization helps innovators and institutional stakeholders by acting as a market connector and validator, facilitating technology trials to de-risk adoption in the risk-averse municipal water sector, and

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47:59

Aaron Kirkland: Superintendent of Green Storm Water...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Joseph Blackman interviewed Aaron Kirkland, the Superintendent of Green Storm Water Operations at the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), to discuss the department's "Green Cities Clean Waters" initiative, which aims to reduce combined sewer overflows using green storm water infrastructure (GSI) like rain gardens. Aaron Kirkland explained that GSI uses Storm Water Management Practices (SMPPs) to slow and infiltrate rainwater, detailing their unit's responsibility for maintaining this infrastructure

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50:04

Erinn DeJonge: Fleet Business Operations Manager @...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Joseph Blackman introduced Erinn DeJonge, the Fleet Business Operations Manager at Sarasota County, who manages over 1,700 assets with an annual budget that includes about $12 million for acquisitions and $3-5 million for fuel, while clarifying that a separate manager oversees the 40 technicians across three maintenance shops. Erinn DeJonge detailed their role in acquisition, fuel site management, and budgeting, explaining the reliance on cooperative contracts, Board of County Commissioners'

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43:48

Ron Romero: Assistant Director of Austin Resource...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Joseph Blackman welcomed Ron Romero, the assistant director of Austin Resource Recovery, to the podcast where Ron Romero described their operational role leading 250 employees responsible for all curbside services and the complexity of solid waste management, emphasizing the need for adaptability due to dynamic variables like weather. Ron Romero discussed the positive community feedback on the transition to an on-demand bulk pickup system, the importance of inter-departmental collaboration for

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34:08

Paul Cornejo: Operations Manager at AOS Utility...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Joseph Blackman interviewed Paul Cornejo, the operations manager at AOS Utility Services, about his role, career path, and the state of the public works industry. Paul Cornejo detailed his multiple responsibilities at AOS Utility Services, which include consulting, contract operations, and drone inspections, and emphasized the need for small companies to network and attend conferences to keep up with industry regulations like the AWQS sampling requirements. The discussion covered Paul Cornejo’s

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46:28

Veterans Day show with Chad Oxton and Blake Murphey

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/11/11

Joseph Blackman hosted a Veterans Day Public Works podcast with Navy veterans Blake Murphey, President at American Pipeline Solutions, and Chad Oxton, Operations Manager for the city of Suffolk in Virginia, to discuss the value and opportunities for veterans in both the private and public sectors of public works. The participants explored their individual paths to military service, the positive impact of service on socioeconomic standing, and the shared importance of hiring veterans for their

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37:35

Richard Hyle: Sewer Collection Superintendent @ City...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Richard Heath Hyle, the new Sewer Collection Superintendent at the City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department, who was recently promoted after serving as the sewer collection supervisor. Richard Heath Hyle explained that sewer collections transport waste through underground pipelines, and the San Bernardino system serves over 200,000 people with 500 miles of pipe and 10 lift stations. Richard Heath Hyle shared that his team of nine crew members manages the system with four trucks and a CCTV

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18:44

Cristel Sias: The Public Works Experience

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Joseph Blackman introduced Cristel Sias, who discussed the Public Works Experience, a learning center and museum in Baltimore dedicated to public works and infrastructure, located within an active pumping station. Cristel explained that the museum features exhibits like "Streetscape" and partners with organizations like the Waterfront Partnership, known for Mr. Trash Wheel, to host community events and raise awareness. The Public Works Experience plans a capital campaign to expand, aiming for

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49:33

Bridget McGinnis: Assistant Engineer @ City of West...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Bridget McGinnis, the Assistant Engineer at the City of West Sacramento, who shared insights into her role, emphasizing the importance of communication and internships for career development. Bridget McGinnis also discussed the impact of West Sacramento hosting the A's baseball team, her career path in engineering, and the value of professional development through organizations like APWA. Key takeaways included the recommendation to promote "West Sac Connect" for community engagement and Bridget

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37:51

Alleigh Weems: Senior Management Analyst @ City of...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Alleigh Weems, Senior Management Analyst at the city of Topeka, described her role supporting the public works department, focusing on procurement, capital improvement, and successful grant acquisition, including a nearly $5 million Safe Streets and Roads for All grant and a $25 million RAISE grant. She emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, professional networking, and stepping outside one's comfort zone for growth, despite challenges like federal funding freezes. Weems shared that a

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43:23

Linnea Rader: Director of Finance and Human Resources...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/10/09

Linnea Rader, Director of Finance and Human Resources at Van Buren County Road Commission, who shared insights into her varied role encompassing financial management and human resources, including union negotiations and recruitment strategies. Linnea Rader discussed Michigan's unique road commission structure, her career progression, and key skill sets for her role, emphasizing the human element in HR and continuous learning. She also detailed the Michigan Public Service Institute (MPSI) leadership

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47:07

Sherri McMahon: Environmental Compliance and...

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/10/09

Sherri McMahon, the Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Administrator for the Public Works Department of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sherri McMahon explained that her role involves managing environmental programs for the City of Las Vegas, ensuring compliance with state and EPA regulations, and that the city faces unique environmental challenges due to stormwater runoff pollution, over 42 million annual visitors, and air quality concerns. Sherri McMahon highlighted the importance of education over

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43:21

Lindsay Hughes: Founder of Tappedin Public Relations

Public Works Podcast ·

2025/10/09

Lindsay Hughes, founder of Tappedin Public Relations, who shared expertise on strategic communication for utilities, focusing on building trust and managing crises through transparent and empathetic messaging. Lindsay Hughes detailed strategies for multi-channel communication, tailored messaging, internal preparedness, and the importance of proactive community engagement while maintaining brand neutrality. Lindsay Hughes also highlighted leveraging AI for communication and outlined their agency's

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379 results

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