PODCAST · government
Public Works Podcast
by Joseph Blackman
Where you come to hear new innovative ideas in the Public Works arena. Stories, trials and tribulations and more. We highlight those who are working behind-the-scenes to keep our communities in motion.
Episodes
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Dave Russell: President of Russell NDE Systems and PICA Corporation
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…
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Kevin Boesch: Compliance Project Manager of Stormwater for SWCA Environmental Consultants
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...
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Philip Nitollama: City Traffic Engineer @ City of Riverside, CA
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…
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Alex Hayner: Training and Development Specialist @ Charlotte Water in Charlotte, NC
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,...
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Marlene Alcaraz: Engineering Aid @ City of Santa Ana, CA
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,...
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Justin Hopkins: General Manager @ Stockton East Water District, CA
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…
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Tia Cavender: CEO and Founder of Dig Deep Research
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...
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Ignatius Jean: Executive Director of CAWASA (CARIBBEAN WATER & SEWERAGE ASSOCIATION)
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...
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Sarah Collins: Manager of Talent Acquisition and Workforce Development @ PIttsburgh Water, PA
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...
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Kehinde Ojasanya: Research Scientist at the University of Vermont and Founder of Keloks Technologies
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...
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Dustin Stambaugh: City Manager of Weed, California
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...
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Tim Runde: Treatment Manager @ Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Facility, Iowa
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…
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Gerry Vasquez: Water Quality and Systems Lead Operator @ City of South Gate, CA
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…
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Brittany Thurston: City of Minot's Leadership Development Cohort
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…
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The Public Works Podcast: Co-Hosts Shane and Joseph - 2025 Wrap Up Show
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…
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The Public Works Podcast: Tom Koutroulis Episode
Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby on The Public Works Podcast for a special episode featuring Tom Koutroulis, Director of Orange County Waste & Recycling. Go behind the scenes at the Frank R. Bowerman Landfill and discover how Tom and his team are leading the way in sustainability…
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The Public Works Podcast: Ray Dovalina Episode
Episode Title: "Building Communities Across Borders and Oceans" Episode Summary: Join us for an insightful conversation with Ray Dovalina, a veteran public works professional who has shaped infrastructure across multiple states and regions. From his early days in South Texas to leading major...
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The Public Works Podcast: EHCRP California Representatives
Episode Title: "Extreme Heat & Community Resilience - California’s Bold Approach" Episode Summary: In this episode, host Shane Silsby is joined by Dr. Braden Kay and Kelly Meza Prado from California’s Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Together, they discuss the urgent…
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The Public Works Podcast: Jenny Haruyama Episode
Episode Title: "Leading with Authenticity: How Heart, Humor, and Humanity Shapes Strong Communities" Episode TImestamps & Topics: 0:00 – Introduction • Host Shane Silsby introduces the podcast and guest, Jenny Haruyama, highlighting her two decades of municipal experience and her reputation for...
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The Public Works Podcast: Rossana Dantonio Episode
Episode Title: Leadership, Resilience & the book "26 Seconds" ✈️ Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby as he sits down with Rossana D'Antonio, former Deputy Director of LA County Public Works, ASCE leader, and author of "26 Seconds." Rossana shares her journey from engineer to executive, her...
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The Public Works Podcast: Rob Thompson Episode
Episode Description: Join host Shane Silsby as he tours the Orange County Sanitation District with General Manager, Rob Thompson. Discover how Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) is leading innovation in public works, from sustainable infrastructure to cutting-edge wastewater management....
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The Public Works Podcast: Jennifer Toth Episode
Episode Title: "Balancing Priorities - Perspectives on Leadership, Working Across Sectors, and the Future of Transportation" Episode Summary: Join us for an in-depth conversation with Jennifer Toth, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), as she shares her unique 360-degree...
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The Public Works Podcast: Eric Johnson Episode
Episode Title: "Phoenix Rising: Infrastructure & Economic Development Strategies Supporting Responsible Growth" Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby for an in-depth conversation with Eric Johnson, Assistant Director of the Community & Economic Development Department at the City of Phoenix....
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The Public Works Podcast: Anthony-Paul Diaz Episode
Episode Summary: Welcome to The Public Works Podcast! In this episode, host Shane Silsby sits down with Anthony-Paul "AP" Diaz, Superintendent / Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Seattle. AP shares his journey from Los Angeles to Seattle, leadership lessons from managing two of...
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The Public Works Podcast: Laura Kroeger Episode
Episode Summary: Welcome to @ThePublicWorksPodcast!!! Join Shane Silsby for an enlightening conversation with Laura Kroeger, Executive Director of the Mile High Flood Control District. Leading an agency that serves over 2 million residents in the Denver Metro area, Laura shares her extensive...
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The Public Works Podcast: Vic Bianes Episode
Episode Title: "Mentorship, Public Service, and Supporting the Next Generation" Episode Summary: Welcome to The Public Works Podcast! In this episode, host Shane Silsby sits down with Vic Bianes, President of the American Public Works Association, to discuss his decades-long career, leadership...
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The Public Works Podcast: Jamie Lai Episode
Episode Title: "Maximum Impact: Public Works Leadership in a Small but mighty City" Episode Summary: Join us for an insightful conversation with Jamie Lai, Public Works Director for the City of Yorba Linda! In this episode of The Public Works Podcast, host Shane Silsby sits down with Jamie to...
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The Public Works Podcast: Derek Fuller and vialytics Episode
Episode Title: Road to Efficiency: Lessons from Lower Makefield Twp. & vialytics on Smarter Pavement Management Episode Summary & Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & Episode Overview Meet your host, Shane Silsby, and get an overview of the challenges in modernizing pavement management for local...
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The Public Works Podcast: Kathryn Sorensen Episode
Episode Title: “Securing Our Water Future: Management, Financing, and Affordability in the American West” Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby on The Public Works Podcast as he interviews Dr. Kathryn Sorensen, Director of Research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University....
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The Public Works Podcast: Marsie Geldert-Murphey Episode
Episode Title: Resilient Infrastructure & Public Service as "Opportunities" Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby as he interviews Marcia "Marsie" Geldert-Murphey, an accomplished civil engineer, former ASCE president, and Illinois State Senate candidate. Marsie shares her journey from...
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The Public Works Podcast: Mary Joyce Ivers Episode
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Public Works Podcast, host Shane Silsby interviews Mary Joyce Ivers from the City of Ventura, a leader in public works with a distinguished career at both local and national levels, including serving as president of the American Public Works Association...
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The Public Works Podcast: Mark Toy Episode
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Public Works Podcast, host Shane Silsby interviews Mark Toy, General Manager of the Yorba Linda Water District and former Major General in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mark shares his journey from military service to local government leadership,...
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The Public Works Podcast: Hye Jin Lee Episode
Episode Title: Reimagining Public Works for a Growing City: Insights from Hye Jin Lee Episode Summary: Join host Shane Silsby for an inspiring conversation with Hye Jin Lee, Director of Public Works for the City of Chino, California. Hye Jin shares her journey from consulting engineer to…
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The Public Works Podcast: Andy Boenau Episode
Episode Title: “Thoughts from City Government: Infrastructure, Urbanism, and Civic Dialogue" Episode Theme: The role of conversation, transparency, and thoughtful questioning in shaping better cities and strengthening public service. Episode Summary: In this episode of The Public Works Podcast,...
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The Public Works Podcast: Naoki Takesue Episode
Episode Summary: Join us for a special episode of The Public Works Podcast featuring Dr. Naoki Takesue, recorded in Kyoto, Japan. Dr. Takesue shares his extensive experience in infrastructure asset management and the challenges facing both Japan and the United States as aging infrastructure…
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Sunny Wescott: Executive Director - Geospatial Intelligence Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GEOINT ISAC)
Guest: Sunny Wescott, Former Air Force Meteorologist and current leader of the Geospatial Intelligence ISAC. On this episode, we dove deep into the high-stakes world of military weather forecasting, global solutions for extreme heat, and the critical work of threat intelligence. Military Weather...
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Jerry Hatfield: President of Hatfield Edge
Join us as we talk with Jerry Hatfield, a 14-year veteran of the sewer equipment industry, about the critical need for specialized technician training. Jerry shares the story behind starting Hatfield Edge LLC and developing "factory trained mechanic schools" to combat inadequate tech support and...
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James Peters: Founder of The Shower Pot
In this episode, host Joseph Blackman interviews James Peters, a Water Reuse expert, about revolutionary solutions to the global water crisis. James discusses how his organization helps cities facing "water bankruptcy" by providing a product that allows residents to recycle water at home. This...
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David Jenkins: CEO of Infrastructure Public Works Engineers of Australia (IPWEA)
Joseph Blackman and David Jenkins, CEO of Infrastructure Public Works Engineers of Australia (IPWEA), discussed the challenges and value propositions of associations, including the difficulty in engaging young professionals and the necessity for associations to adapt and find new, sustainable...
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Gabriella Zanzarella: Stormwater Operations Analyst @ High Point, NC
Joseph Blackman introduced Gabby Zanzarella, a Stormwater Operations Analyst for High Point, North Carolina, whose role involves protecting water quality, maintaining infrastructure, and environmental stewardship, often in high-pressure situations, requiring adaptability and effective...
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Travis Kearney: Wastewater Collection Supervisor @ Carpenteria Sanitary District, CA
Joseph Blackman welcomed Travis Kearney, Wastewater Collection Supervisor at Carpenteria Sanitary District, to the public works podcast, where Travis outlined his multi-faceted role, including managing 42 miles of pipe, overseeing maintenance and inspections, and maintaining 133 unique E1 grinder...
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Lucia Diaz: Manager of Facilities & Water System Programs @ Inland Empire Utilities Agency, CA
Joseph Blackman introduced Lucia Diaz, the Manager of Facilities and Water System Programs for Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), who provided an overview of IEUA's wholesale water services, wastewater treatment, and her extensive role overseeing facilities management, conveyance systems, and...
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Kristina Ramirez: City Engineer @ the City of Harker Heights, TX
Joseph Blackman introduced Kristina Ramirez, the City Engineer at Harker Heights, Texas, to discuss her diverse responsibilities, which include managing capital improvement projects (CIP), ensuring compliance for development plans, and prioritizing public communication and transparency. Kristina...
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Danielle Blacet-Hyden: Executive Director at California Municipal Utilities Association
Joseph Blackman welcomed Danielle Blacet, Executive Director at the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), who explained that CMUA is a nonprofit trade association representing 86 water, wastewater, and publicly owned electric and gas utilities in California, primarily focusing on...
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Sumant Patel: Manager of Operations Wastewater Services @ the City of Guelph, Ontario
Joseph Blackman interviewed Sumant Patel, Manager of Operations Wastewater Services at the City of Guelph, about his professional role, which involves managing daily operations, planning strategic priorities, and ensuring resource support for staff, all while focusing on optimization to reliably...
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Elia Twigg: APWA's Jennings Randolph Scholarship Experience
Joseph Blackman welcomed Elia Twigg, CEO of Lantic Solutions, to the public works podcast to discuss Elia Twigg's civil engineering career, ranging from discovering the field in 11th grade and joining UF's "step-up program," to progressing through city roles to become the Public Works Director…
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Max Herzog: Deputy Director of Programs and Partnerships @ Cleveland Water Alliance
Joseph Blackman and Max Herzog discussed the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), a nonprofit economic development organization focused on supporting water technology innovation in Ohio and the Great Lakes region. Max Herzog, Deputy Director of Programs and Partnerships at CWA, explained that the...
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Aaron Kirkland: Superintendent of Green Storm Water Operations @ the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)
Joseph Blackman interviewed Aaron Kirkland, the Superintendent of Green Storm Water Operations at the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), to discuss the department's "Green Cities Clean Waters" initiative, which aims to reduce combined sewer overflows using green storm water infrastructure (GSI)...
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Erinn DeJonge: Fleet Business Operations Manager @ Sarasota County, FL
Joseph Blackman introduced Erinn DeJonge, the Fleet Business Operations Manager at Sarasota County, who manages over 1,700 assets with an annual budget that includes about $12 million for acquisitions and $3-5 million for fuel, while clarifying that a separate manager oversees the 40 technicians...
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Ron Romero: Assistant Director of Austin Resource Recovery, Austin TX
Joseph Blackman welcomed Ron Romero, the assistant director of Austin Resource Recovery, to the podcast where Ron Romero described their operational role leading 250 employees responsible for all curbside services and the complexity of solid waste management, emphasizing the need for adaptability...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Where you come to hear new innovative ideas in the Public Works arena. Stories, trials and tribulations and more. We highlight those who are working behind-the-scenes to keep our communities in motion.
HOSTED BY
Joseph Blackman
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Public Works Podcast have?
Public Works Podcast currently has 418 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Public Works Podcast about?
Where you come to hear new innovative ideas in the Public Works arena. Stories, trials and tribulations and more. We highlight those who are working behind-the-scenes to keep our communities in motion.
How often does Public Works Podcast release new episodes?
Public Works Podcast publishes regularly with 418 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Public Works Podcast?
You can listen to Public Works Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Public Works Podcast?
Public Works Podcast is created and hosted by Joseph Blackman.
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