APMM Series: A conversation with Peter Buck about Local Government’s Role in Climate Action

This episode is part of our APMM series on Community Health. Today we dig deeper into the connection between climate action and community health. Our guest, Peter Buck, co-directs the Local Climate Action Program and is the Associate Director of Climate and Sustainability Education at Penn State Sustainability. Peter brings a perspective that helps us […]

Zoning may be one of the least understood and most under-appreciated aspects of local government. But my guests today see zoning through the lens of community health and want you to come along with them to better understand how zoning and planning impact our lives. Ben Estell is manager of Dormont Borough outside of Pittsburgh […]

In times of crisis, we often see leaders emerge from the frontline. My guest today, Professor Paresh Wankhade has published extensive research on emergency services and offers us examples of how emergent leadership shows up in times of crisis. In this episode we talk about how the leadership framework is changing within emergency services. Some […]

Jerry Ozog, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute, is here today to talk about challenges in the leadership of emergency services. We cover topics such as everyday leadership vs crisis leadership, community expectations, funding and transparency, organizational models, recruitment, including diversity and inclusion, and the particular challenge small communities face. This episode is […]

Today we have a special episode of PCC local time. This week the APMM conference for local government managers took place in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Our conference took place in the ruins of the former Bethlehem Steel. Overlooking the historic Steel Stacks, the largest revitalized brownfield in the country, it has become a top destination for […]

My guest today is Hugo Marynissen. He is an expert in Crisis Governance and Risk Management Co-holding the Chair of Crisis Governance at University of Antwerp. Our conversation today will address the question of how leaders might structure organizations to better adapt to an uncertain world. He identifies key myths and assumptions that are part […]

A disaster happens where hazards meet human systems. My guest today shared that quote and much more about what local governments can do to lay the groundwork for a smooth recovery process should the worst-case scenario occur. We go deep on what can be done before a disaster strikes. We talk about how to expedite […]

Welcome to PCC Local Time. This week we have a special episode – the first in a series of episodes created in partnership with APMM, the Association of Professional Municipal Managers. We are talking with the current and upcoming Presidents, Amanda Serock and Dave Pribulka about the topics that are challenging local government today and […]

Today, we welcome back Ray Patchett, the former City Manager of Carlsbad, California and now consultant to leadership teams. Ray brings a wealth of knowledge and insights into the organizational principles of city management and teams. I asked Ray to take a deeper dive into his 8 Traits of High Performing Teams which will soon […]

Today, I bring you Peter Marshall. Peter has a long and distinguished career as a city manager and consultant to local governments. Most notably, he was city manager at State College Pennsylvania for many years and before that, Newark, Delaware. Peter and I have had many conversations over the years. He has so much to […]