How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?
I joined FCCMA in 2019. I had the privilege of being a scholarship recipient for the 2018 Annual Conference and was able to see firsthand how the sessions provide real solutions and information to city/county managers, the benefit of the networking opportunities and the support system that evolves among members.
Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I am not a member of ICMA…yet!
Why did you select a career in public service?
I was influenced by my parents, who both served in the public sector and community arena, and always strived to teach us the importance of giving back and being involved. In order to make positive change, you have to be a part of that change. I find fulfillment in seeing the impact my service has in a community and strengthening partnerships.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector?
I have always served in the public sector.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
I am the Deputy County Administrator of Hernando County. I oversee the daily operations of the county with direct responsibility for the administration, direction, planning and personnel management of all county staff. My strengths are implementation of employee training, employee recognition and morale programs, and strategic planning and assisting with budget planning and implementation, evaluation/implementation of policies and coordination with community partners.
Please describe your typical day.
I do not have a typical day, which is why I love my job! I can start in a CIP meeting discussing future projects, move to the animal shelter to help in recovery and work with staff/volunteers to discuss adoption programs, then join our senior leadership team to brainstorm ideas for next year’s budget, and end the day in our Building Department to find solutions to increased permitting numbers. And the next day will be a completely different adventure!
What is your favorite part of the job?
I enjoy working with staff to analyze operations to find efficiencies, improve services, and explore new ideas. I love celebrating successes with our staff and creating/strengthening relationships throughout the community.
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 serve as Board Chair for Citrus County Harvest (food recovery and weekend student feeding programs), founding member and Secretary of Citrus Aid Cancer Foundation, Hernando County YMCA Advisory Council member, Oak Hill Hospital Community Advisory Board member and Key Training Center volunteer.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
The response and recovery efforts to Hurricane Irma will be an experience I will remember. Despite the fact we were all dead tired, the opportunity to coordinate among county staff and local/state agencies provided experience I had not previously been exposed to and allowed our staff to learn some valuable lessons. We saw some amazing efforts throughout our community to support our own residents and others who found themselves stranded in the county. The entire state responded to an unprecedented incident and I am proud of how we all supported each other and how were able to support our residents.
What are your hobbies/interests?
Here in Florida, we have a never-ending source of outdoor activities and venues and I love exploring them all! My son and I enjoy hiking and camping and we cannot get enough beach time. Reading, enjoying many music genres and crafting are also favorites.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
Always be open to change. The minute you have the mindset that change is not an option, you eliminate any chance for improvement and start to create a negative environment for your staff and the community. If you are willing to look at new ideas, consider new processes, brainstorm with others, and have the confidence to try new things, then you keep open the ability to grow strong and affect change.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
My father is a former county administrator and often lets me vent and talk through situations. Oel Wingo has been a huge source of knowledge and encouragement as I have moved through the ranks as a female manager. Former Citrus County Administrator Brad Thorpe showed me the importance of creating and managing community partnerships and supporting staff in order to grow an organization. I have two administrators from the public school district, Carol Mainor and Mark Brunner, who encouraged me to try new paths and always be open to learning new things. Having these mentors have opened amazing doors for me and I always strive to be that support system for others. My door is open, my ears are listening, and my shoulder is strong.
