How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?
I have been a member since 2013. I first learned of FCCMA and ICMA as an undergraduate student attending an open house with the USF School of Public Affairs. There, I heard a presentation from Jeff Tillman and Shawn Sherrouse (then MPA students at USF) regarding both organizations. I thought it was great opportunity, so I became a member of both and got involved.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I am currently an MPA student at the University of South Florida. I also have my undergraduate degree from the Muma College of Business at USF.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I first got involved with public service as an unpaid intern with the Hillsborough County Planning Commission. During my career with the county, it helped me realize the difference we make as public servants, and was a career I wanted to continue.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector?
I have always been in the public sector, not counting high school and college jobs/internships/etc. Before discovering public service, I actually accumulated a good bit of experience in journalism as an undergraduate. I also worked as a cashier at Publix for several years, of which my passion for customer service continues to this day.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
I am currently the Community Planner/GIS Analyst for the City of Safety Harbor. As with most planning positions, I work extensively with the Land Development Code, Comprehensive Plan, and the CRA. My position is also unique in that it also manages GIS for multiple departments beyond just Planning and Zoning. The long-term goal is to build upon my experience and formal education to continue to serve the public as a city or county Manager.
Please describe your typical day.
Is there such a thing as a typical day in local government? I will say the most consistent part of any day is assisting our residents and prospective residents in understanding our codes. That and never skipping my morning coffee.
What is your favorite part of the job?
The ability to serve our citizens in so many different ways. Being a planner and GIS professional for what some would say is a smaller jurisdiction, my work covers so many aspects of local government – sometimes even beyond my job description. One day I can be helping the arborist count trees, the next day I will be working on data for our Engineering Department or helping our Public Works staff provide sanitation service. The possibilities are truly endless.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
I am big on providing the best customer service possible. However, in my role (in all of our roles as public servants), I strive to provide our customers the correct solution – which, as we know, is not always their desired solution. In those cases, it can be a source of anxiety and stress which I am working to manage as both a professional and a human being.
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.
As a current MPA student, I am or was involved with student and emerging professional organizations – including the USF ICMA Student Chapter, FCCMA’s Student Council, and the American Planning Association Florida Chapter’s Emerging Planners Group. These are so important to me because as a student, I understand the challenges in developing our skills and growing as public servants. I find personal satisfaction in not only sharing this journey with my fellow classmates but providing them with any guidance I can as a student already working in the field.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I enjoy the water. I am an avid kayaker and will often take it out onto Tampa Bay. Some of my favorite spots include going around the new St. Pete Pier, and the mangrove tunnels at Weedon Island.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
Get involved and volunteer! I always tell my fellow classmates that the number one thing that has helped me develop as a public servant is volunteering with professional organizations. FCCMA, ICMA, APA – all of these organizations provided me with the opportunities to learn skills, meet mentors, and inspire. I would also add that you must have a passion for helping others. If your motivation is money or influence, you are in the wrong profession.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
So many names come to mind – Jeff Tillman, Bobby Green, Matt Spoor, amongst others. In my involvement with the USF ICMA Student Chapter and the FCCMA Student Council, I am able to connect these esteemed managers to other fellow students, with the hope that they too can benefit from their mentorship.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
As I previously mentioned, I was very involved in journalism as a budding college student. Had I not discovered public service, I would have likely continued that path. A lot of people say I have a radio voice.
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?
In 2020, I was awarded the B. Harold Farmer Scholarship. Not only did this scholarship help me continue to fund my education, but it was truly an honor to be recognized alongside other B. Harold Farmer recipients, many of whom I consider to be my mentors today.
