What is Public Works? The Answers We Heard May Surprise You

What is Public Works? The Answers We Heard May Surprise You

In honor of National Public Works Week, and this year's theme "Rooted in Service, Powered by Community," which acknowledges that the roots of service run deep in public works, we're hitting the road for some face-to-face sidewalk interviews. We want to hear what public works means to everyday people in the community, with a little public works trivia thrown in for good measure. National Public Works Week celebrates the connection between service to the community and the people it supports, and we thought this would be a great way to wrap the first half of our very first season of Public Works Radio for our mid-season finale. Equipped with a podcast microphone and a smile, Public Works Radio host Bailey Dickman, showed up at the local farmers' market in Kansas City, just a stone's throw away from APWA headquarters, ready to ask strangers about public works. Their answers are honest and likely a strong representation of what most people think public works means to their community. And of course, potholes couldn't be left out of the conversation. We also secured a completely by-chance interview with a public works professional right there at the farmers' market. Afterward, we sat down with Mary Joyce Ivers. She is the Deputy Public Works Director for the City of Ventura, California and a past APWA President. We played Mary Joyce some of the public's responses to get her reaction, then asked what public works means to her. Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone, from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven't already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note [podcast@apwa.org] so we can hear your feedback directly! More Show Notes and Resources * Your Complete Guide to #NPWW 2026: https://www.apwa.org/events/national-public-works-week-npww/ [https://www.apwa.org/events/national-public-works-week-npww/]  * "Creative Ideas to Celebrate National Public Works Week with Your Community": https://www.apwa.org/resource/creative-ideas-to-celebrate-national-public-works-week-with-your-community/ [https://www.apwa.org/resource/creative-ideas-to-celebrate-national-public-works-week-with-your-community/] * About Mary Joyce Ivers, CPFP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-joyce-ivers-5b448668/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-joyce-ivers-5b448668/]

Why Public Works Strategizes for Winter Operations When The Temps Are Hot 🔥

Just last week we wrapped up APWA's annual North American Snow Conference in Cleveland. While nearly all of us in North America are out of the winter threat and will be for quite some time, it's no coincidence that this event takes place in the middle of spring. As we learn from four passionate experts in today's episode, snow and ice planning is a year-round endeavor — and with summer quickly approaching, right now is actually the perfect time to start the process of ensuring next year's winter prep is a success. The spring and summer months give public workers a chance to take a step back. Catch their breath. Look back on what worked and what didn't. It's a time to prep equipment, complete inventory and stockpile checks, review contracts, training schedules, route plans, and so much more. Because when snow removal is done right, it can be the defining characteristic of your agency. In this episode we hear from the following guests: * Diana Clonch is a consultant specializing in winter operations. Before consulting, she spent a 30-year career in government and public works in central Ohio. * Shane Mark is the Assistant Director of Public Works in the town of Needham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. * Matt Morreim is the Public Works Director for the city of Shorewood, Minnesota, and previously managed winter operations for the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. * Daniel Schacher is the Chief of Maintenance at Fairbanks International Airport. Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org [podcast@apwa.org] so we can hear your feedback directly! More Show Notes and Resources * APWA Winter Maintenance Supervisor Certificate: register here [https://www.apwa.org/event/apwa-winter-maintenance-supervisor-certificate/?utm_source=apwa-pod&utm_medium=pwr&utm_id=WMSC_26] for June 16 program, or click here [https://www.apwa.org/event/apwa-winter-maintenance-supervisor-certificate/?utm_source=apwa-pod&utm_medium=pwr&utm_id=WMSC_26] to learn more: https://www.apwa.org/event/apwa-winter-maintenance-supervisor-certificate/?utm_source=apwa-pod&utm_medium=pwr&utm_id=WMSC_26 [https://www.apwa.org/event/apwa-winter-maintenance-supervisor-certificate/?utm_source=apwa-pod&utm_medium=pwr&utm_id=WMSC_26] * APWA Winter Maintenance Resources: https://www.apwa.org/resources/resource-center/?_categories=winter-maintenance [https://www.apwa.org/resources/resource-center/?_categories=winter-maintenance] * 2027 APWA North American Snow Conference: https://www.apwa.org/events/north-american-snow-conference/ [https://www.apwa.org/events/north-american-snow-conference/] * Diana Clonch’s Consultancy: www.dwclonch.com [http://www.dwclonch.com] * Shorewood Minnesota’s Public Works & Engineering: https://www.shorewoodmn.gov/178/Public-Works-Engineering [https://www.shorewoodmn.gov/178/Public-Works-Engineering] * Needham's Massachusetts Department of Public Works: https://www.needhamma.gov/5145/About-DPW [https://www.needhamma.gov/5145/About-DPW] * Fairbanks International Airport: https://dot.alaska.gov/faiiap/ [https://dot.alaska.gov/faiiap/]

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? To Serve Our Communities.

By definition, a sentinel animal is used as an early warning system for hazards or disease, with a canary in a coal mine being the most famous example. Down in Charlotte County, Florida, it's chickens that are stepping up for the community in what can only be described as the ideal sentinel chicken program. This program is a vital link between public works and public health, acting as an early warning system for mosquito-borne diseases before they reach the human population (without harming the chickens). While chickens save the day in Charlotte County, it's the goats in Greenville, South Carolina that are promoting environmental sustainability and safety. Not to mention they've become quite a popular attraction around town and on social media as well. Goats are showing up in Greenville as a true win-win when it comes to promoting sustainability, safety, and cutting down on noise pollution and emissions. “Goatscaping” is a hit in Greenville, where goats with tons of personality are hired to tackle overgrown areas in difficult spots that would be a safety concern for humans. We’re joined by three public workers to discuss how animals are being utilized in their communities to benefit just about everyone: Beth Kovach is a Biological Specialist with Charlotte County, Florida. Jeff Proffitt serves as Operations Supervisor for the Mosquito and Aquatic Weed Control Division with Charlotte County, Florida. Staci Schafer is a Parks and Grounds Administrator with the City of Greenville, South Carolina. Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org so we can hear your feedback directly! More Show Notes and Resources Charlotte County Mosquito & Aquatic Weed Control: https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/public-works/mosquito-aquatic-weed/ [https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/public-works/mosquito-aquatic-weed/] “Charlotte County Sentinel Chicken Program” YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPwHUOuUZA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPwHUOuUZA] Greenville Public Works: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/272/Public-Works [https://www.greenvillesc.gov/272/Public-Works] “Goat Herds Return to Eat Invasive Plants in Greenville Parks” YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZbF_g7XwE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZbF_g7XwE] “Herd at work: Goats are grazing Greenville park as the city's latest landscapers” article: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2024/03/08/goats-are-grazing-greenville-as-the-citys-latest-landscapers/72879011007/ [https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2024/03/08/goats-are-grazing-greenville-as-the-citys-latest-landscapers/72879011007/]

The Emerging Leaders Academy: Celebrating 20 Years of Life-Changing Experiences

The Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) is a yearlong experience designed to inspire those who lead at all levels in public works. This program features a popular in-person retreat and monthly check-ins with instructors. Academy members are divided into groups and work throughout the year to solve a public works-related challenge that they present at our PWX conference the following year. Proving time and again that leadership happens at every level, ELA helps build a robust peer support network and offers an in-depth introduction to APWA at all levels. ELA isn't a classroom; it's a completely immersive experience and this next class will be the 20th cohort in the program's history. It offers a chance to make lifelong connections and participate in something much bigger than yourself. Applications are open through July 6, 2026 and you can apply here [https://www.apwa.org/education-careers/emerging-leaders-academy/]. We are excited to welcome three guests to this podcast to discuss their experiences within APWA’s Emerging Leaders Academy: Aaron Bergeson is a public transit professional in Southern California with extensive public works project management experience. He is a recent ELA graduate (Class of 2025) who is passionate about the impact ELA can have on a professional in this field. Susan Hann is Deputy Superintendent Facilities Services at Brevard Public Schools, with 45 years of experience in the public works profession. Sue has served as an ELA instructor from the program's beginnings. She  has seen its growth in popularity firsthand. Chad Oxton is a current ELA instructor, past graduate, and a career public works professional specializing in leadership and management based in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org so we can hear your feedback directly! More Show Notes and Resources About Emerging Leaders Academy: https://www.apwa.org/education-careers/emerging-leaders-academy/ [https://www.apwa.org/education-careers/emerging-leaders-academy/] Michael Wodke shares thoughts on the value of applying to ELA: https://youtu.be/75nNtQO23-g?si=bB5qKUH1k2z_nFx6 [https://youtu.be/75nNtQO23-g?si=bB5qKUH1k2z_nFx6] Aaron Bergeson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bergeson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bergeson/] Susan Hann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-hann-0600b2a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-hann-0600b2a/] Chad Oxton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-oxton-400038120/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-oxton-400038120/]

Resiliency and Preparedness in Public Works for a Safer Tomorrow

Nestled within the upstate region of South Carolina, the City of Greenville rarely considers hurricanes a point of critical concern. That suddenly changed with the arrival of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, leaving Scott McIver, CPFP, CAFS, Greenville's Fleet Manager, with lessons that forever changed his understanding of emergency response. He joins us to discuss those lessons in this week's episode of Public Works Radio, the official podcast of the American Public Works Association (APWA). With news coverage consistently flooding the airwaves about unpredictable weather patterns and the harsh realities coming in its aftermath, Scott's message is crystal clear: the critical value of FEMA training cannot be overstated. This week we're talking about fleet preparedness, resilience, dealing with unpredictable weather patterns, and public works agencies as crucial pillars for building resilient communities. As our other guest this week, Vincent Olsen, CPFP, Director of Equipment and Fleet Management for the City of Dallas, Texas, describes it, our old friends, coordination and communication, play a major role in all of this. This episode was inspired in-part by Scott’s APWA Reporter article from September 2025, entitled, “Lessons Learned as a Fleet Manager During a FEMA-Level Event (Hurricane Helene),”  which you can check out here: https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/september-2025/features/lessons-learned-as-a-fleet-manager-during-a-fema-level-event-hurricane-helene [https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/september-2025/features/lessons-learned-as-a-fleet-manager-during-a-fema-level-event-hurricane-helene] Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org [podcast@apwa.org] so we can hear your feedback directly! More Show Notes and Resources APWA’s Emergency Management Committee: https://www.apwa.org/group/emergency-management/ [https://www.apwa.org/group/emergency-management/] APWA’s Sustainability and Resiliency Committee: https://www.apwa.org/group/sustainability-and-resiliency/ [https://www.apwa.org/group/sustainability-and-resiliency/] APWA’s Sustainability and Resiliency Online Learning Library: https://www.apwa.org/connections-networking/groups-committees/sustainability-and-resiliency-online-learning-library/ [https://www.apwa.org/connections-networking/groups-committees/sustainability-and-resiliency-online-learning-library/] Emergency Management Resources: * Emergency Management Assistance Compact [https://www.emacweb.org/] * “National Geodetic Survey’s online viewer to explore aerial images following major natural disasters” – National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) [https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/emergency-response-imagery.html] * Hurricane Safety Tips and Resources – National Weather Service [https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane] * Hurricanes – Ready.gov [https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes] * Hurricane Hazard Info Sheet – Ready.gov [https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_hurricane_hazard-info-sheet.pdf] * APWA’s Natural Hazards Checklist: Hurricane [https://www.apwa.org/resource/apwa-natural-hazards-checklist-hurricane/] * Hurricane Preparedness and Evacuation Planning – FEMA [https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/hurricanes]