Best Nancy Joan Hess Podcasts (2024)

1
APMM Series: Navigating the Crossroads: Crandall Jones on Career Transitions in City Management 1:06:37

7h ago1:06:37

1:06:37

In this episode, we explore the multi-faceted career of Crandall Jones, a seasoned City Manager. His is not a predictable story, but one with many twists and turns. Crandall opens up about the challenges that impacted his big decisions. This episode is particularly valuable for those considering a career in city management or a new opportunity in t…

1
APMM Series: When Tradition Meets Transformation: A conversation with Rick Kane 57:15

14h ago57:15

57:15

In this episode of the PCC Local Time Podcast, we explore the evolving landscape of fire services with Rick Kane, the Manager of Manheim Township and a former Fire Chief. Rick offers unique insights into the critical transition from volunteer to career fire departments, focusing on the importance of strategic planning, leadership, and effective com…

1
APMM Series: From Volunteer to Career: Evolving Fire Services in Northampton Township with Robert Pellegrino and Adam Selisker 53:33

5d ago53:33

53:33

In this episode, we delve into the evolving relationship between a Township Manager and a Fire Chief, focusing on transitioning from a volunteer to a career fire service. This episode is a fascinating inside look at how a rural community that becomes a suburban one transitions from a volunteer to a full-time career fire service that includes volunt…

1
Fire Services: A conversation with Bert Brugghemans about decision making in crises 53:38

23d ago53:38

53:38

Bert Brugghemans joins us from the City of Antwerp, where he serves as the Chief Fire Officer. Today, we'll gain Bert’s perspective on leadership and decision-making when routine operations turn into rapid response situations. We talk about Bert's research and how he has progressed his thinking from the early days in the fire service and studies in…

1
APMM Series: Stephanie Teoli Kuhls and Sandra Zadell on labor relations and the path from conflict to collaboration.. 46:30

26d ago46:30

46:30

Welcome to another episode in the APMM Series on PCC Local Time. I am your host Nancy Hess Our guests today offer us a glimpse of how labor relations in your municipality can help or hinder your efforts as a manager, and significantly impact your workplace. What is unique about labor relations is that you can only really come to it through experien…

1
APMM Series: A conversation with Peter Buck about Local Government's Role in Climate Action 55:10

1M ago55:10

55:10

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…

1
APMM Series: Zoning and Community Health: A Deep Dive with Ben Estell and R.J. Susko 1:09:04

2M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

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 Allegheny County P…

1
Crisis leadership and the evolving landscape of emergency services: A conversation with Paresh Wankhade 53:54

3M ago53:54

53:54

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 of …

1
APMM SERIES: A conversation with Jerry Ozog about Leadership in Emergency Services 42:44

3M ago42:44

42:44

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, a…

1
Voices from the APMM 2024 Conference 35:05

3M ago35:05

35:05

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 arts…

1
Crisis Governance: A conversation with Hugo Marynissen 1:01:51

3M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

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 of …

1
Dustin Hinkel on funding disaster mitigation and recovery 49:20

4M ago49:20

49:20

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 the funding process and the unintend…

1
APMM SERIES: The Future of Local Government: A Conversation with Amanda Serock and David Pribulka 43:20

5M ago43:20

43:20

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 the municip…

1
Ray Patchett on the 8 Traits of High Performing Teams 53:03

6M ago53:03

53:03

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 be out in published f…

1
A city manager's travels abroad, a conversation with Peter Marshall 59:34

6M ago59:34

59:34

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 say about the field of city ma…

1
Claudia Arriaga, Aaron Siko, Dave Pribulka and Brad Gotshall on Technology Challenges in Local Government 1:08:04

9M ago1:08:04

1:08:04

45 Today we talk with managers about the the role of technology in local government and the need to adapt to and address technology challenges. My co-host today is Claudia Arriaga, Senior Vice President of Customer Service at OpenGov Our three distinguished guests include: Aaron Siko, Manager, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County Dave Pribulka M…

1
Christa Breum Amhøj, Pam Adams, Jim Price; Sustainable Futures and Local Government (Across the Pond Series) 1:14:51

9M ago1:14:51

1:14:51

Today we are talking about sustainable futures, what that means and how it intersects with local government. I am joined by co-host John Diamond, Professor Emeritus, Edge Hill University, UK and three esteemed guests. Christa Breum Amhøj Co-founder Action University, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark Pam Adams, Sustainability Planner at Centre Re…

1
Mike Rowe and Chief Ronald Comacho; Small Changes, Big Impact: Shifting the Focus in Policing (Across the Pond Series) 1:14:51

10M ago1:14:51

1:14:51

What does an ethnologist in policing from the UK have in common with a Police Chief from the U.S.? Quite a bit as it turns out. But the contrast also helps us get a fuller perspective on what is going on behind the scenes. This is the first episode in our Across the Pond series in which we engage topics that are both global and local. Where do we l…

1
Busting HR Myths (Series) with Kim Nash #5 The Younger Generation Lacks Work Ethics & #6 HR is Easy, Anyone Can Do It! 1:01:34

1y ago1:01:34

1:01:34

Today we dive into the final conversations of our series. This time we talk about the multi-generational workforce and the path to professionalism. My guest, Kim Nash teaches for the Society of Human Resource Management and has a consultancy focused on helping HR professionals grow their career. This series contains six conversations that build on …

1
Busting HR Myths (Series) with Kim Nash #3 Orgs that Pay get the best employees & #4 HR is a Scapegoat 1:04:04

1y ago1:04:04

1:04:04

Welcome to PCC Local Time. I am your host Nancy Hess and today we continue our six-part conversation series on Busting HR Myths series with Kim Nash. We talk about whether organizations that pay the most get the best employees and how HR becomes the scapegoat in organizations. If you are interested in more in-depth notes on this episode and additio…

1
The Impact of National Issues on Local Politics and the Role of City Manager with John Kincaid, Bev Cigler and Matt Candland 1:16:00

1y ago1:16:00

1:16:00

Today I am excited to welcome three return guests. Dr Bev Cigler, professor emerita from Penn State, Dr John Kincaid, professor at LaFayette College, in Easton Pennsylvania and Matt Candland from Upper Moreland Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In this episode, we talk about the rising occurrence of national issues entering into local po…

1
Busting HR Myths (Series) with Kim Nash: #1 HR is Evil & #2 Post It (and they will come) 55:39

1y ago55:39

55:39

This is a six part series made especially for HR professionals and managers who wrangle with HR issues. Today, my guest and partner in this series, Kim Nash joins me in the first two of our six conversations in Busting HR Myths Series. Each conversation is 30 min and builds on the central theme of how HR can create value in your organization. These…

1
Tremayne Terry and Jarvis Brown on Supplier Diversity: Linking Prime Contractors to Small Business to Build Sustainable Communities 56:01

1y ago56:01

56:01

Today Tremayne Terry and Jarvis Brown are with us to talk about what they do and why supplier diversity makes sense from every angle, including business, community, economics, sustainability and social governance. If you are like me, you may question where the path to diversity begins. This episode will change that. If you have a desire to leverage…

1
Chief John String on dynamic models of policing and public safety 1:08:03

1y ago1:08:03

1:08:03

Chief John String is currently the Chief of Police at Narberth Borough in Montgomery County Pennsylvania. Among other topics we explore the intersection between public demand for officers to be more involved in mental health and outreach, and the preferences of the new generation of recruits. Our conversation is wide ranging, so check out the show …

1
Jim Oher - Rethinking EAPs and why we resist them. 46:35

1y ago46:35

46:35

For a long time, I have wondered why EAPs or employee assistance programs are so under utilized in organizations. Today I talk with Jim Oher who has worked as a corporate director, executive consultant, psychoanalyst and group educator. He is also a trained mediator and resiliency hardiness specialist. He is co-author and editor of two books: The E…

1
Ray Patchett (Part 2) High performing teams and organizations 1:05:15

1y ago1:05:15

1:05:15

Today I meet with Ray Patchett for Part 2 of our conversation about organization teams and performance. In this episode, we delve into the topic of bureaucracy and its impact on organizations. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of bureaucratic structures and how they can either enhance or hinder results. Our conversation transitions to explori…

1
Ray Patchett on High Performing Teams(Part 1) 46:45

1y ago46:45

46:45

Raymond R. Patchett served as the City Manager for the City of Carlsbad, California, for 20 plus years where he has done extensive implementation of strategic change in a public sector organization. In this episode, (Part 1 of 2,) he shares his unique approach to creating high performing teams, partnering with Council and shaping organization cultu…

1
Chad Bruckner on leadership, public service and the path to purpose 55:05

1y ago55:05

55:05

My guest on this episode of PCC Local Time is Chad Michael Bruckner and he opens up about his story of why he left policing and how he re-discovered his purpose. What I find so valuable in Chad’s story is his ability to build a bridge between his past and present. He does not throw away the past, but sees his wins, losses and failures as potential …

1
Chief David Steffen on regional policing and a culture that sustains high performance 1:06:00

1y ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Chief David Steffen, became Chief of the newly formed Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department in 2012. He talks with me about regional policing and community safety, and how the regional focus shapes standards and professionalism. I ask Chief Steffen what drives his efforts to create a culture of openness and accountability. He talks a…

1
#31 - Technology, ego and a culture of safety with Chief Roland Camacho and Jeffrey Stonehill 1:14:08

1+ y ago1:14:08

1:14:08

Although technology may seem like a strange way to begin a conversation about community safety, I begin here today because it keeps coming up in my conversations and I think listeners will be interested to learn the intersections of technology with community trust, transparency and accountability. Jeffrey Stonehill is only the 3rd manager in the hi…

1
#30 - Professor Kincaid and Nicole Beckett on the Meyner Center for Local Governments and how federalism shapes government today 51:25

1+ y ago51:25

51:25

Professor John Kincaid is a world renowned scholar on American federalism with many distinguished honors and is Director of the Meyner Center for State and Local Governments at Lafayette College in Easton Pennsylvania. As Associate Director of Public Service, and former Borough Manager, Nicole Beckett provides outreach and works directly with local…

1
#29 - Dr. Mandie Cantlin on building public trust in local government 1:00:15

1+ y ago1:00:15

1:00:15

How often do we talk about the role of communication in building trust with the public, without talking about what we mean? My guest today, Dr. Mandie Cantlin, is manager in East Bradford Township in Chester County. She recently completed her doctorate in public administration and today we drill down on the topic of her dissertation, public trust i…

1
#28 - Relationships across sectors with Sandra Zadell and Dr. Adam Kuczynski 1:03:28

1+ y ago1:03:28

1:03:28

This is the second episode in a series about relationships that can lead to partnerships between academia, local governments and the communities they serve. Sandra Zadell is manager of Upper Gwynedd Township in Montgomery County Pennsylvania and Dr. Adam Kuczynski is Chair of the MPA program at Villanova University. In this episode we workshop idea…

1
#27 - Drs. John Diamond, Sarah L Young and Thomas Bryer on Building relationships with local governments and nonprofits 1:30:02

1+ y ago1:30:02

1:30:02

How would you describe the relationship between academia and practitioners, in the field of public administration and non-profits? My guests today take a deep dive into this conversation. Dr. John Diamond, Dr. Sarah L. Young and Dr. Thomas Bryer are actively engaged with this question. We begin and end with the idea that relationships between these…

1
#26 - Eric Norenberg on scaling local government services 49:45

1+ y ago49:45

49:45

Today Eric Norenberg takes us inside the world of regional government. Eric is the Executive Director of the Centre Region Council of Governments in Pennsylvania. Whether or not you have contemplated regional models of governance, this episode will open your mind to an alternative way of delivering local government services. We are talking this mon…

1
#25 - Ralph "Hutch" Hutchison - the art of calm in a sea of change. 53:31

1+ y ago53:31

53:31

Ralph Hutchison, or as he is known around these parts, “Hutch”, is manager of East Lampeter Township in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Today we take an inside peek of what it looks like to manage a municipality that is situated in the heart of Lancaster County. As Ralph says, “there are two things people don’t like. The way things are and change.” …

1
#24 - Jerry Andree and Dan Santoro on the art of relationship building and regional projects 1:00:03

1+ y ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Today my guests are two distinguished municipal managers from Pennsylvania, Jerry Andre the former manager and Dan Santoro, the current manager, of Cranberry Township in Butler County Pennsylvania We are going to talk about regional partnerships. Why are they important and what are the skills you need to be successful in this arena? We are going to…

1
#23 - Tom Vernau - Through the lens of a municipal manager 58:21

1+ y ago58:21

58:21

Today an episode about the ways municipal managers think about their work and the challenges that they learn to embrace. Tom Vernau has been managing Lower Allen Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania since 2005. Like all the best managers, Tom makes those around him look good while staying under the radar. Today we shape the conversation arou…

1
#22 - Re-imagining public service with Ben Kafferlin and Lisa Hagberg 57:09

1+ y ago57:09

57:09

Several years ago I met Ben Kafferlin at a County Commissioners conference in Pennsylvania. At the time, he was new to office and not surprisingly, he had some ideas about how to improve the organization structure. He invited me up to Warren County in northwest PA to interview a few key staff and share my thoughts with the Board. I wanted to find o…

1
#21 - Women Who Lead with Amy Farkas, Nicole Beckett, Centrice Martin, Dr. Bev Cigler and Erin Trone 1:30:13

2y ago1:30:13

1:30:13

Today on the podcast I have five articulate women guests. Together, they represent different generations and different experiences of work. They share how early life experiences have formed their ideas of leadership. They talk about the importance of support in their environment and in particular, what it means to have other women and men pave the …

1
#20 - Seth Higgins on looking at local government through the lens of process 53:14

2y ago53:14

53:14

My guest Seth Higgins, is the former Chief Clerk in Elk County Pennsylvania. He now provides consulting services to help local governments navigate the maze of state and local fiscal recovery funds. In this episode, we return to his early interest in process improvement and talk about what grounds his thinking. He illustrates how it looks when appl…

1
#19 - Is there such a thing as neutrality in professional municipal management? A conversation with Matt Candland and Dave Pribulka 1:18:45

2y ago1:18:45

1:18:45

Professional municipal managers think about ethics and in particular the ICMA Code of Ethics which guide their profession. Although the term “neutrality” is never mentioned in the tenets, it is a foundational idea, or shall we say, ideal, in the management of local governments. Today our guests, Matt Candland and Dave Pribulka, two professional man…

1
#18 - How to negotiate a manager contract with Ron Wagenmann and Larry Comunale 1:11:52

2y ago1:11:52

1:11:52

This is a special PCC Local Time podcast episode hosted by some of the members of the Pioneering Change Advisory Team. For many years I have heard anecdotal comments from managers that go something like, “I would not mind a contract like Ron Wagenmann’s!” Or, Everything I know about negotiating a manager contract I learned from Ron Wagenmann.” So, …

1
#17 - Ernie McNeely - Leveraging process in local government 48:16

2y ago48:16

48:16

Pragmatism and process can lead to innovation in local government if we know how to listen and engage to bring issues forward. When I asked Ernie McNeely to interview with me, I told him I was curious about what is it like to manage a Township rich with history, academic institutions, and religious diversity. I was also curious about the fact that …

1
#16 - Tom Fountaine on Community Engagement 54:30

2y ago54:30

54:30

Community conversations happen all the time in various venues, but local government managers cannot take them for granted. When community engagement is waning, it is important to think about ways to bring people together. Tom Fountaine, municipal manager in State College, Pennsylvania, knows something about the challenges of community engagement. W…

1
#15 - The Lansdale Story - with Dan Dunigan, Matt West, Timi Kirchner, John Ernst and John Mizerak 1:28:36

2y ago1:28:36

1:28:36

SHOW NOTES ..What if a guy who has a vision for his community, hears about another guy who sounds just like him, and what if those two run into each one day in a barbershop...and what if, they happen to be from two different political parties, but decide to run together? This PCC Local Time podcast episode include those two guys, Dan Dunigan, and M…

1
#14 - The Art of Obtaining Grants with Dr. Bev Cigler, John Mizerak and David Kratzer 50:18

2y ago50:18

50:18

If you are mystified by the process of obtaining grants for your local government, this episode is for you. This is a masterclass that will help you with your short and long game. Our guests today include Dr. Beverly Cigler, Professor Emerita at Penn State University in Public Policy and Administration begins our discussion with highlights from a r…

1
#13 - Matt Candland - Where collective bargaining with police goes wrong and other challenges in municipal management today 44:24

2y ago44:24

44:24

Matt Candland is the manager at Upper Moreland Township in Montgomery County Pennsylvania. In this episode he has a few things to say about collective bargaining laws for police and fire in Pennsylvania. He has a depth of understanding and skill for examining issues from multiple angles that not only makes him valuable in his profession but also ma…

1
#12 - Mark Stivers on people and places that make a difference 54:33

2y ago54:33

54:33

All you have to do to get into a great conversation with Mark Stivers is ask him about the jobs he has held in his life. From Park Ranger to Addiction Counselor to Planner to Professional Manager, he has seen and experienced the world and brings his unique perspectives to his work. “You leave a place better than you found it. You don’t burn bridges…

1
#11 - Ken Battin on a better connection between municipal and emergency services 37:11

2y ago37:11

37:11

In this interview, Ken Battin allows me to tap into my curiosity about how emergency services intersect with municipal services and what role municipal managers play in supporting public safety. He emphasizes the importance of not relying on any one model but finding a model that works for your municipality. He shares an engaging approach that help…

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