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Joseph Blackman welcomed Dave Russell, President of Russell NDE Systems and PICA Corporation, to the podcast where Dave Russell detailed his journey building a multi-generational non-destructive examination (NDE) business from a single owner-operator setup into a 50-person enterprise. Dave Russell discussed the practical realities of scaling an infrastructure inspection business, navigating foreign market expansion, avoiding venture capital in favor of anchor clients, and implementing a formal family succession plan. Key talking points included the development of proprietary technology like the Hydroscope for inspecting water mains, leveraging AI and machine learning to dramatically speed up data analysis, the importance of proactive asset lifecycle management in water utilities, and his ongoing mentorship efforts to train the next generation of technical professionals. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Kevin Boesch, the compliance project manager of Stormwater for SWCA Environmental Consultants, to the podcast where Kevin described their operational role acting as a "stop gap" between construction contractors and regulatory compliance, ensuring projects maintain clean standing regarding stormwater and dust control. Kevin discussed the importance of proactive communication, highlighting their work co-chairing the A Water stormwater committee to bridge the gap between regulators and the regulated community in a boardroom setting rather than through disputes in the field. Key talking points included Kevin's career transition from applied zoology and a state DEQ role into private consulting, the severe daily financial penalties associated with non-compliance, and the shifting of the industry away from obsolete methods toward modern, 21st-century Best Management Practices inspired by mentors like Luke Owens, Blue Snow, Wayne Cobbank, and Cheryl Millan. Additionally, Kevin addressed future industry needs, emphasizing the importance of human oversight over AI in compliance documentation, the ongoing challenge of an aging workforce, and the necessity of engaging stakeholders early to gain project buy-in. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Philip Nitollama, the City Traffic Engineer for the city of Riverside, California, to the public works podcast where Philip Nitollama detailed his multidimensional role overseeing transportation planning, traffic signal operations, and community engagement. Philip Nitollama discussed the legal responsibilities of defending municipal engineering decisions in litigation, his extensive work establishing Safe Routes to School programs, and his division management style that balances technical objectives with substantial personnel support. He highlighted his career trajectory from civil engineering at UC Irvine to securing over $30 million in infrastructure grants for bike lanes, speed limit reductions, and signal synchronization. Key talking points included managing conflicting traffic flow objectives with Caltrans, addressing emerging micromobility challenges like high-speed e-bike safety, and the essential shift toward utilizing big data and public communication to modernize the workforce. He also shared his "10% rule" for continuous professional growth, his billboard message urging drivers to "Slow Down, Every Street User Matters" and his appreciation for mentors who instilled a resilient "mamba mentality" in his public service career. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Alexander Hayner, the Training and Development Specialist at Charlotte Water in Charlotte, North Carolina, to the public works podcast where Alexander Hayner described his role supporting over 1,300 water workers across the "One Water network" with diverse learning, development, and upskilling initiatives. Alexander Hayner discussed the department's monthly new employee orientation program built around three core pillars—Welcome, Learn, and Connect—which fosters professional relationships and sparks future collaboration across departments. He highlighted the expansion of the AWWA Customer Service Certificate program to multiple divisions, emphasizing that every water worker provides customer service in some capacity. Key talking points included Alexander Hayner's career transition from education and school administration to learning and development, the essential skill sets for success like public speaking and rapport-building, and lessons learned regarding operational logistics and time management during field trips. He also shared insights on the importance of organizational buy-in for true culture change, his inspiration from mentors like Director Angela Charles, Carolyn Ross, and Steve Wood, and his community billboard message, "We are all water." Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Marlene Alcaraz to the podcast to discuss the multifaceted and essential role of an Engineering Aid within public works. Marlene Alcaraz shared insights into the diverse demands of the position, highlighting the need for self-taught expertise in contract administration, project management, and the rigorous regulatory compliance required for plan approvals. The conversation focused on how problem-solving serves as a foundational skill for navigating complex municipal projects and utility enforcement, as well as the value of professional associations in bridging knowledge gaps across different city jurisdictions. Key talking points included the importance of structured mentorship to attract the next generation of professionals and the ongoing challenge of transitioning the city to a unified asset management software system. Marlene also emphasized the need for community patience during critical infrastructure construction, underscoring the vital connection between public works and the residents they serve. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Justin Hopkins, the General Manager of the Stockton East Water District, to the podcast to discuss the intricate balance of managing surface and groundwater for a growing region. Justin Hopkins detailed the district’s robust operations, including a 65 million gallon per day drinking water treatment plant and a unique governance structure featuring weekly board meetings to ensure high-level oversight. The conversation traced Justin’s career transition from engineering to public administration, highlighting his focus on collaborative leadership and the importance of maintaining face-to-face connections with his 51-member team. Key talking points included the regulatory hurdles posed by the state’s Bay Delta plan and the district’s proactive response to a projected 2075 water shortage through the Farmington Reservoir Project. Justin also explained the strategic implementation of a nine-year rate increase plan, designed to fund essential infrastructure and debt while ensuring long-term water sustainability for the community. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Tia Cavender, the CEO and Founder of Dig Deep Research, to the podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of infrastructure funding for mid-sized communities. Tia Cavender explained how her firm fills a critical market gap by supporting municipalities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000, which often lack in-house grant writing resources but remain highly responsive to strategic planning. The conversation focused on the firm's role as project planners who use research-driven strategies to make capital projects more competitive, often advising clients to bypass non-viable grants in favor of long-term preparation. Key talking points included the significant impact of the federal funding freeze since January 2025, which has halted even previously awarded projects, and the resulting shift toward earmarks and creative alternatives like public-private partnerships (P3). Tia Cavender emphasized that in an era of unreliable government grants, local leaders must lean into community support and rigorous project research to ensure their infrastructure needs are met. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman sat down with Ignatius Jean, the Executive Director of CAWASA, to discuss the complex landscape of regional water management across the Caribbean. Ignatius Jean detailed CAWASA’s vital role in supporting 12 Caribbean water utilities through networking, training, and strategic partnerships with organizations like the Caribbean Development Bank and UN Habitat. The conversation explored the geographic diversity of the region—ranging from desalination in the north to mountainous surface water in the south—and the governance hurdles utilities face when balancing political demands for access with the reality of aging infrastructure. Key talking points included the development of the Caribbean Water Utilities Insurance Composite to build resilience, the impact of climate change on water scarcity, and the urgent need to integrate new technologies like SCADA and AI through professional certification. Ignatius Jean also addressed the workforce challenge of attracting young talent to a rewarding field where the mission of public health often outweighs the competition of higher-paying industries. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Sarah Collins from Pittsburgh Water to the podcast, where she detailed their innovative approach to talent acquisition and the critical mission of providing water services to 500,000 people daily. Sarah Collins emphasized the necessity of adaptability and relationship building when creating pipelines with community and educational partners to ensure hands-on learning and career exploration. The conversation highlighted the development of Pittsburgh Water’s first state-approved apprenticeship program, a strategic move designed to combat the "silver tsunami" of retirements by pairing on-the-job training with union-partnered classroom instruction. Key talking points included the importance of learning from past program failures by building initiatives with the community rather than just for them, as well as creative problem-solving to remove barriers like transportation for green infrastructure fieldwork. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Kehinde Ojasanya, a research scientist at the University of Vermont and founder of Keloks Technologies, to the podcast where Kehinde described the three essential layers of capability for a research scientist: technical depth, systems thinking, and translational intelligence. Kehinde discussed the critical shift in public works from a reactive to a regenerative model, specifically focusing on wastewater resource recovery to secure US mineral independence and transform waste into valuable agricultural products like fertilizer and clean irrigation water. Key talking points included Kehinde's career journey across Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK, his personal commitment to eliminating microplastics and PFAS from his home, and his leadership philosophy of leveraging mentorship and "first principles" to solve complex global challenges. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Dustin Stambaugh, the City Manager of Weed, California, and a newly minted Doctor of Public Administration, back to the podcast where Dustin described his transition from the Midwest to leading a small, rural California municipality. Dustin discussed the significant regulatory differences between Kansas’ "home rule" and California’s heavy regulation, as well as his doctoral research into the administrative capacity challenges that prevent small towns from accessing infrastructure funding. Key talking points included his pursuit of a doctorate at California Baptist University to become a "provider of information," his advocacy for rural representation through organizations like the California Rural Water Association, and his proactive efforts to build a local workforce pipeline by partnering with community colleges for a new water and sewer training program. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Timothy Runde, the Treatment Manager at the Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Facility, to the podcast where Timothy described his oversight of 24/7 operations for a facility serving 18 metro communities and managing flows of up to 200 MGD. Timothy discussed the significant success of the facility's three-year operator apprenticeship program, which has been in place since 2008 and accounts for nearly all of their current staff, effectively solving long-term recruitment and overnight staffing challenges. Key talking points included Timothy’s own career transition from forestry to wastewater, his focus on team-based leadership and professional development through organizations like WEF, and a safety-driven engineering solution he helped implement after a personal field incident to prevent suction-related accidents. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Gerry Vasquez, the water quality and systems lead operator for the city of South Gate, California, to the podcast where Gerry described his role managing water production, regulatory compliance, and customer service for a dense community of 89,000 residents. Gerry discussed his daily routine of morning tailgate meetings and SCADA monitoring, as well as the unique challenges of maintaining water infrastructure in an urban environment, such as addressing copper theft from backflow devices and managing "hit hydrants" due to heavy traffic. Key talking points included Gerry's career journey inspired by the 2008 recession and a mentor's advice to enter essential utilities, his transition from field work to office leadership, and his commitment to continuous improvement through involvement in organizations like the AWWA. Gerry also emphasized the importance of public works professionals as 24/7 first responders and shared motivational advice for others to grow by becoming "comfortable with being uncomfortable". Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Joseph Blackman welcomed Brittany Thurston, a program manager in HR for the public sector, back to the podcast to discuss her creation of an internal leadership development cohort designed to provide genuine comprehension over traditional management theory. Brittany described the program's origins from an employee survey and its focus on self-management, personal values, and the "why" of public service. Key talking points included the curriculum's practical exercises—such as a trust-building "capture the flag" game using Nerf guns and "bounding overwatch" principles—as well as the importance of peer interaction and internal credibility. Brittany also highlighted the program's significant return on investment, costing less than $200 out-of-pocket compared to expensive external consultants, and concluded with advice for "internal entrepreneurs" to take risks and build tangible proposals to address organizational gaps. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.

Episode Summary: Join Joseph Blackman and Shane Silsby for the final episode of 2025 as they wrap up the year on The Public Works Podcast! In this special “2025 Wrap Up” show, the hosts reflect on their personal and professional highlights, including major speaking engagements, podcast milestones, and memorable travels across the country. They discuss the challenges and successes of producing content in the public works industry, share insights from key conferences and events, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at building relationships and growing their network. Episode Topics: ➡️Favorite moments and gifts of the year ➡️Lessons learned from public works conferences and industry events ➡️The importance of content creation, networking, and synergy calls ➡️Reflections on podcast growth, accountability, and future goals  ➡️A look ahead to 2026, including new targets and inspirational quotes Call to Action: Whether you’re a public works professional, aspiring podcaster, or just curious about the industry, this episode is packed with stories, advice, and motivation for the year ahead. Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share to support the show and stay updated on future episodes! #PublicWorks #TPWP #2025Wrapped #YearInReview #IndustryInsights #ContentCreation #Networking #Goals #Inspiration #LookingAhead