As we prepare for the ELGL & ICMA joint event at the ICMA Conference, attendees describe the current state of local government, their mentors, ways to strengthen local government, and of course, their dream six-pack. Link: Raise Your Hand If You’re Going “Back to the Future” with ELGL and ICMA.
Lauren Brune
UNC-Chapel Hill MPA Student
Connect: LinkedIn
1. Name your career mentors.
Because I came to the field of Public Administration through an unorthodox avenue (having majored in Business and German in my undergraduate career and having worked in the private sector), I don’t have any mentors in the PA field yet. One professor I had for a Business Communications course was inspiring because of her thorough and honest communication style. Another mentor and friend from my undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh is a dance professor, who always has a positive outlook and an inspiring approach to work. I can already tell that some of my professors at UNC will turn out to be excellent career mentors as well.
2. Describe the current state of local government.
3. During her presidency, Bonnie Svrcek encouraged ICMA members to do “Just One Thing” for the organization. What can we do to strengthen local government?
If local government professionals could choose “just one thing” to strengthen local government, it would be to always engage in open, honest communication with fellow government officials, agencies, the private sector, and most importantly, citizens. Erring on the side of full disclosure and more communication rather than less would also improve local government communication.
4. In keeping with the beer tasting theme, tell us what we’d find in your ideal six pack.
My ideal six pack is mostly fruit and wheat beers:
- Natty Greene’s Wildflower Wit,
- Stiegl Grapefruit Radler,
- Lindeman’s Framboise lambic,
- Dogfish Head Festina Peche,
- Dogfish Head Birra Etrusca, and
- Southern Tier Pumking.
Supplemental Reading
- Student Awards and Organizations
- Students | Master of Public Administration
- On Campus with the Carolina MPA Program
Quick Takes
- Dave Waffle, City of Beaverton, OR
- Pam Brangaccio, New Smyrna Beach, FL
- Tracy Miller, Sarasota County, FL
- Jason Damweber, Town of Chapel Hill, NC
- John Stefanski, City of Hayward, CA
- Karen Pinkos, City of El Cerrito, CA
- Chris Morrill, City of Roanoke, VA
- Matthew Hawkesworth, City of Rosemead, CA
- Heather Geyer, City of Wheat Ridge, CO
- Greg Larson, Town of Los Gatos, CA
- Jeff Towery, City of Springfield, OR
- Elisabeth Wright, Village of Gilberts, IL
- Mitch Foster, Kingsley, MI, Village Manager
- C. James Ervin, Town of Rocky Mount, VA
- Tamara Lynn Schaps, Evans School of Public Affairs
- Eric Norenberg, Oberlin (OH) City Manager
- Joe Casey, Henrico County, VA, Deputy County Manager
- Jason Escareno, San Mateo County, CA
- Ann Janda, Milton, VT
- Lee Worsley, Durham County
- Dan Weinheimer, Fort Collins, CO