How long have you been an FCCMA member and why did you join?
I submitted my FCCMA membership application on October 30. I wanted to join FCCMA for professional advancement, networking opportunities, and to better learn how city managers and county administrators effectively handle their responsibilities – juggling many abstractions and being able to deliver on many, if not all, operational needs.
Are you an ICMA member? Why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
Yes. I joined ICMA around the same time as FCCMA, late October or early November. I joined ICMA for the same reasons as FCCMA: I wanted to better understand how my peers deliver on their responsibilities, to network with other professionals in government, and learn how to do the best possible job in my current role.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I studied classical piano performance and jazz ensemble during my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I studied Political Science, writing my master’s thesis on political philosophy, at the University of Illinois – Springfield for my graduate studies.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I selected a career in public service because I have many interests, and a career in government allowed me to explore various elements of public service that were engaging, fulfilling, and ever changing.
Have you always been in the public sector, or have you had experience in the private sector?
I started my professional career in the collegiate system, working at the University of California while I was finishing my studies. However, I come from a long line of restauranteurs, so I spent a significant portion of my life working in hospitality. In my early 20s, before I made my transition to working at a couple different lobby firms, I worked for a consulting company that advised large international law firms on how to set up and effectively use their time and billing software.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
I am the intergovernmental liaison for Pinellas County. In essence, I manage our contract lobby teams at the state and federal level to ensure our legislative program is successfully executed in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
Please describe your typical day.
• I wake up, make coffee/tea, and spend time with my newborn
• Drive to office
• Read news reports and legislative daily briefings
• Track newly filed bills, executive developments, budget updates, and analyze any policy that may be of impact to County operations
• Manage our contract lobby teams by providing any needed meeting requests, policy updates, and feedback from our team at the County
• Update our Assistant County Administrators and Budget Director of any bills or budget changes that may be of impact (both positive and negative)
• Monitor news developments throughout the course of the day
• Assist legislators with constituent cases where applicable
• Devise strategic pathways with County leadership and our contract lobby teams to ensure our legislative program is effectively executed in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
• Eventually, I will drive home
• Spend time and have dinner with my wife and son
• Read or catch up on any missed news before going to bed
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is the interpersonal connectivity and ability to solve complex problems through my professional network.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
I do not really think of my job as having a least favorite part. The only potential downside to the State Legislative Process is the “offseason” after the 60-day session adjourns, because said “offseason” is relatively quiet and inactive; however, that time allows for a better focus on providing legislative updates, participating in the local budget process, and the Federal legislative process.
If you are involved in any volunteer or leadership activities in your community, please share with us a bit about what you do and why it is important to you.
I have been an on-and-off assistant wrestling coach since 2014. I have volunteered with the Habitat for Humanity Restore for a few years. I worked as a music minister/director of music at a few different churches across the country.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
The most memorable experience on the job so far has been crafting the County’s legislative program and the presentation of our legislative priorities to the constitutional officers and legislative delegation at our Joint Delegation meeting. This memory stands out because it was an extensive process of development over the course of a few months, starting with conversations between me and our department heads, as well as the commissioners, and developing into a legislative program that can have a significant beneficial impact on the County. From there, it has been engaging to deliver that legislative agenda in Tallahassee for the interim committee weeks leading into Session.
What are your hobbies/interests?
• Golf
• Baking
• Cooking
• Trying new restaurants
• Collecting wine
• Family time
• Reading
• Hiking
• Canoeing
• Traveling
• Watching sporting events (football, hockey, golf, etc.)
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
Make the most of your network connectivity and enjoy the intricacies of the job along the way.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
Those who I have had the pleasure to work with and learn from directly through employment:
• Joel Overton
• Patrick Bell
• Linda Chaney
• Tim Stanfield
• Claudia Davant
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
Architect/Architecture
Do you have a story you can share about how being a member of FCCMA has helped you or impacted you in a positive way?
Since I am new to FCCMA membership, I unfortunately do not have an impactful story yet. I look forward to reporting back whenever I have more stories to share!
