Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen is no fan of the Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA).
A few years ago, he was the subject of an anonymous ethics complaint without any clear explanation of his alleged offense. About a year later, Jorgensen learned that another city manager had accused him of leaking his listserv comments. 
The evidence was a conversation between this city manager and one of his elected officials the city manager had surreptitiously recorded.
Jorgensen maintains that he did not leak the listserv comments and even if he did, he vehemently rejects the notion that those comments are not public records since the city manager used his official city email address.
Moreover, Jorgensen was disgusted by the fact that the OCCMA ethics committee knew that the conversation was recorded without the consent of the elected official and did nothing about it.
Jorgensen has some strong opinions about the OCCMA, the value of his membership not only to himself but the taxpayers, and how other city managers conducted themselves during the pandemic.
He is a fascinating person with a very unique background having worked in politics as an official staff to state legislators in the Oregon capital, to being a journalist, an author, and a guitarist in a rock band. 
Don't miss this episode where the guest is as unfiltered as the host!
SHOW NOTES:
W. Scott Jorgensen's LinkedIn page
You can catch his band, Robots Building Robots, on Spotify where you can listen to their album "Dysphoria."
Jorgensen has four books he has written listed on Amazon. You can view them here.
In the episode, I discussed Ferris, TX city manager Brooks Williams' book "Rising to Serve."
If you want to join the American Association of Municipal Executives and becoming a founding member, register today at: https://community.aame.org/.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
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We continue our conversation with Polson, Montana city manager Ed Meece in Part 2 of our interview series. 
In this episode, Ed talks about:
✅ a new state association for Montana city managers that is not affiliated with the ICMA,✅ a conversation he had with ICMA CEO Marc Ott and Ray Baray, his chief of staff, and✅ why he is so excited about the new American Association of Municipal Executives
 
SHOW NOTES:
Ed Meece's LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

In 2015, city manager Ed Meece did something he never thought he would do. He canceled his International City/County Management Association membership twenty-five years after joining the organization.
What happened?
Meece explains his reasoning in Part 1 of this two-part series.
SHOW NOTES:
Ed Meece's LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Baker Tilly has been bad -- again. 
Recently, yours truly dropped a bombshell about Baker Tilly when he appeared as a guest on the Making Sense with Michael J. talk show in Amarillo, Texas.
We discussed the Amarillo city manager recruitment and the consulting contract Baker Tilly landed to help review their charter.
Host Michael Stevens graciously allowed me to replay the interview on the podcast.
Since the interview aired on May 20th, sources have been feeding me additional information about Baker Tilly and its recruitments. Stay tuned for more coverage in the near future -- especially after I get my public information requests.
If you have any information worth sharing -- please get in touch with me so I can expose them.
SHOW NOTES:
Michael J. Stevens is the host of the "Making Sense with Michael J" show on KGNC AM 710 and 97.5 FM radio in Amarillo. You can listen to their live stream here. 
You can find Michael on LinkedIn here.
The American Association of Municipal Executives is located at AAME.org.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Public sector executives need to steal some pages out of the private sector executive playbook when it comes to compensation, benefits, and negotiating contracts.
Attorney Daniel Reilly has extensive experience in negotiating private and public sector executive contracts. Licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we discuss industry norms, tactics, and practices that should be co-opted by city and county managers to secure stronger contracts that will protect them and their families.
This is a "must listen" interview with many gems of wisdom and golden nuggets for executives and aspiring executives to ponder and consider.
Moreover, public sector recruiters and local elected officials should also pay attention as I once again highlight the on-going paradigm shift in public administration.
No other local government podcast provides this type of valuable and thought provoking content. If you enjoyed it -- please take a moment to hit the "follow/subscribe" button and also leave a rating and review on Apple and Spotify.
SHOW NOTES:
Daniel Reilly is a business attorney who specializes in executive compensation. Here is a link to his law firm, Reilly Legal, and his LinkedIn page.
The American Association of Municipal Executives is located at AAME.org.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 
 

Unhappy with the current direction of the International City/County Management Association, El Cajon City Manager Graham Mitchell decided to get involved and run for a seat on the executive board.
In previous years when he only saw one name on the ballot for each seat -- he assumed it was due to apathy.
Little did he know that the ICMA establishment created a process whereby they hand-selected the nominee who was all but guaranteed to win because voters would not have another name on the ballot to vote for.
In this episode, we discuss his experience running for the board and his efforts to change the way ICMA conducts elections in the future.
SHOW NOTES:
Graham Mitchell's LinkedIn page
The Midwest Rotation Agreement
LinkedIn post discussing the ICMA's violation of the Midwest Rotation Agreement can be found here and a screenshot of it can be found here.
The American Association of Municipal Executives is located at AAME.org.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

A lot of people self-proclaim themselves to be "change agents" or transformational leaders who have changed their department or organization's culture. But a lot of this is fluffy, self-promotion meant to stroke the ego.
How many public sector executives have actual, quantifiable data to support these claims?
Durango, Colorado city manager Jose Madrigal is a truly transformative leader and he has the "receipts" to prove it.
We discuss his professional journey and his choice to become a first-time city manager in a new state. We learn how he was influenced by his dear mentor and how that manifested itself in Durango.
We also examine the benefits an improved culture and the importance good relationships with the local media can have on recruitment.
SHOW NOTES:
Jose Madrigal's LinkedIn page
The American Association of Municipal Executives is located at AAME.org.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Over the last 18 months I have highlighted the plight of city managers and other public sector executives.
I have talked about the pervasive sense of loneliness and isolation that is oftentimes overwhelming. I have lamented the lack of advocacy for managers who watch helplessly as the reputation and career they have spent decades building is sullied and damaged.
When I have criticized the ICMA for sitting on its hands and not coming to the defense of managers, I am chastised by loyalists who steadfastly maintain that it is not the organization's job to defend managers.
Well -- public sector executives deserve to have an organization that will advocate on their behalf, take proactive steps to protect their reputations and careers, and fight for better compensation and benefits in a profession that has become extremely volatile, risky, and hyperscrutinized. 
To that end, Micah Gaudet and I are launching the American Association of Municipal Executives. 
We are going to build a community that supports, develops, and advocates on behalf of city managers and public sector executives.
We invite you to join us as we embark on this journey to build an organization that will transform public administration in America.
You have a truly unique "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something that will be historically significant for our profession.
Go to AAME.org and sign up today to become a Founding Member!
SHOW NOTES:
The American Association of Municipal Executives is located at AAME.org.
In this episode, Micah Gaudet referred to Daniel Rosemond's book "Death of the Public Servant."
Micah Gaudet's LinkedIn page
Daniel Rosemond's LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.