Meet the Real World House

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After giggling about our #ICMA2016 KCMO “Real World” house video about a thousand times, I realized that I probably need to clarify why we’ve picked an aging, slightly trashy show to compare ourselves to while at a professional conference. It’s not because we’re planning on getting ridiculously drunk or making bad choices. Or that we’re really into showcasing our personality traits to a national audience. The ten of us are really excited to join forces (like the Super Friends, but with no super powers and more women) to make the most out of this experience by blogging, tweeting, and social sharing what we’re learning. The sum of our parts is what makes this awesome.

Here’s some background on the Real World house members, so you can get to know them before you meet them at various #ICMA2016 events this week:

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Ryan Adams

Day job:

• Assistant to the City Manager in Irving, Texas

Twitter:

• @ryankeithadams

Why he’s ELGL famous:

• Spearheading #ELGL16-DFW efforts
• Manages the #WeBuiltThisCity education campaign
• President of UMANT

“Real World” alter ego:

• Mohammed from San Francisco, because they both have great hair.

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Bridget Doyle

Day job:

• Community Relations Director in Sterling Heights, MI

Twitter:

• @bridgetmdoyle

Why she’s ELGL famous:

• Spearheading #ELGL17 planning efforts
• Writes about Detroit and communications
• #ICMA2016 panelist, Frank blogger and MML blogger

“Real World” alter ego:

• Jamie from San Diego, because Jamie started on a reality show and went on to a successful acting career; Bridget started in journalism and went on to a successful local gov career.

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Michelle Holder

Day job:

• Management Analyst & Citizens Academy Coordinator at City of Aspen, CO

Twitter:

• @my_holder

Why she’s ELGL famous:

• #CPBB16 organizer and panelist
• Tweeting for ELGL from #ICMA2016
• Resident expert on citizen academy planning & execution

“Real World” alter ego:

• Jacinda from London, because she has great style and natural grace.

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Ben Kittelson

Day job:

• Sr. Budget & Management Analyst at City of Durham, NC

Twitter:

• @benkittelson56

Why he’s ELGL famous:

• One leg of the ELGL management stool
• Manages job postings, blogs and special events on a daily basis for ELGL
• Produces GovLove
• For reals, ELGL is what it is because of Ben.

“Real World” alter ego:

• The Miz from Back to New York, because he’s a former college football player, and often threatens to wrestle Kent when they disagree on ELGL management issues.

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Chris Maddox

Day job:

• CEO of Seneca Systems, makers of Romulus

Twitter:

• @comaddox

Why he’s ELGL famous:

• CEO of an ELGL Choice company
• Author of the monthly series on what local gov and software startups have in common
• Former #CityHallSelfie record holder and Selfie 101 video star

“Real World” alter ego:

• Sean from Boston, because he’s good natured and optimistic enough to be a Congressman someday.

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Ben McCready

Day job:

• Assistant to the City Manager, Normal, IL

Twitter:

• @benmcready1

Why he’s ELGL famous:

• The ELGL workhorse – you ask him to do it, and he gets it done
• Organizing #ELGL16-CHI
• ELGL’s liaison to the ICMA Coaching Program

“Real World” alter ego:

• Trishelle from Las Vegas. Naw, just kidding. Ben’s the most honest and sincere person you’ll meet, and it’s hard to find an example from MTV who fits the McCready mold.

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Mark Schweikhart

Day job:

• Director at Lexis-Nexus

Twitter:

• @gusplustwo

Why he’s ELGL famous:

• Married to Stacy
• Unapologetic Duke fan

“Real World” alter ego:

• CT from Paris. Because he’s the new guy so we might just shave his head to haze him into ELGL. (Just kidding).

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Stacy Schweikhart

Day job:

• Community Information Manager for Kettering, OH

Twitter:

• @swschweikhart

Why she’s ELGL famous:

• #ELGL16-CHI organizer
• Co-author on #13Percent analysis series
• #CPBB16, #LWG16 and #ICMA2016 panelist

“Real World” alter ego:

• Pam from San Francisco. They both are super smart, don’t put up with any BS, and take care of business.

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Kent Wyatt

Day job:

• Senior Management Analyst, Tigard, OR

Twitter:

• @kwyatt23

Why he’s ELGL famous:

• He founded ELGL. ‘Nuff said.
• My husband.

“Real World” alter ego:

• Ace from Paris. They’re both southern and adorable. (Hey, it’s my blog post, I’m allowed to be biased).

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Kirsten Wyatt

Day job:

• Executive Director, ELGL & Government Affairs Director, Seneca Systems

Twitter:

• @kowyatt

Why she’s ELGL famous:

• I’m the ELGL executive director.

“Real World” alter ego:

• You tell me – was there a “Real World” character who loved puns, animal memes, and laughing at their own jokes?!

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