Leading Well When It’s Hard: Leadership with Sheriff Brad Snyder

In this episode of The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, emergency preparedness, and public service in Greene County. Brad shares his journey from dispatcher to deputy to sheriff, including his experience working E-911 during the Marmaduke Tornado just one month into the job. We talk about how city and county agencies coordinate during severe weather and emergencies, how leaders plan manpower and resources before a crisis happens, and why strong collaboration matters more than ego or turf. The conversation also explores the human side of law enforcement—how officers and dispatchers process trauma, what makes a good candidate for the job, and why doing the right thing is often the hardest choice. Brad also shares his focus on improving conditions for employees and inmates at the Greene County Detention Center, managing one of the largest county jails in Arkansas, and leading a team split between patrol and detention responsibilities.