Building upon the successful “So You Want to Be…” workshops held at FCCMA’s conference annually, a new two-day workshop was held July 12-13 at the FLC University’s Orlando classroom. The class was named “The Keys to City and County Management: Making Your Move.” Attendees were department directors, assistants and deputies from across Florida, each desiring to build their skill sets toward future management in local government. The impetus for this workshop came during past president Jim Hanson’s tenure when he challenged FCCMA and FLC to develop two workshops: one for new managers to Florida, and one for deputies, assistants and those aspiring to be managers.
Faculty included Pam Brangaccio, George Forbes, Bob Lee, Howard Tipton, Lynn Tipton and Oel Wingo, whose years of management in Florida totaled over 160 years. Class members participated in a management and leadership assessment, had classroom presentations on current hot topics, a budget best practices session and an intergovernmental class. The program ended with roundtables featuring subject-matter experts on these subjects: union negotiations, contract management, strategic planning, working with elected officials and additional leadership skills.
Class members had an opening reception Thursday evening with dinner, introductions and ice-breakers, and then two full days in class. An evening social on Friday gave attendees the opportunity to have dinner with the faculty and continue their conversations. While the weekend was intensive in format, attendees appeared to thrive as they networked, shared stories and conversed one-on-one with faculty.
Graduates ended the weekend receiving certificates and promising to stay in touch with class members. Evaluations from the program are excellent, with requests for the class to become a regular offering. Some of the evaluation comments included:
“Great experience. Thank you very much. Proud to be part of the first class!”
“Thank you!!! Exceptional hospitality and networking! Highly recommending to others!”
“Thank you so much for this opportunity and Kudos to the FLC and FCCMA for building and preparing future Florida Managers.”
It is hoped that this class can be offered regularly to help build the next generation of local public managers in Florida.
Class roster:
Zoie Burgess, Assistant Town Manager, Lake Clarke Shores
Al Childress, City Manager, Doral
Kristina Ciuperger, Special Asst. to the City Manager & Chief Communications Officer, Port St. Lucie
Matt Fuhrer, Assistant City Manager, Cocoa
Emily Lewis, Assistant County Administrator, Charlotte County
Jamie Miller, Administrative Services Director, Port Orange
Olivia Minshew, Assistant City Manager, Wauchula
Russell Muniz, Assistant Town Administrator/Town Clerk, Southwest Ranches
Ken Perkins, Fire Chief, Fort Walton Beach
James Slaton, Assistant City Manager, Lake Wales
Tracey Stevens, Town Manager, Ocean Ridge
Michele Thompson, Director of Leisure Services, Greenacres
Adriana Trujillo-Villa, Public Works Operations Manager, Haines City
Sandra Wilson, Deputy City Manager, Ocala
