245: Ifo Pili: From Gridirons to Government: Building Cities and Culture with Cariño
Ifo Pili: From Gridirons to Government: Building Cities and Culture with Cariño Episode 245 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What happens when an NFL player trades the gridiron for city hall and discovers his true calling in public service? In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Ifo Pili, City Manager of West Valley City, Utah, whose extraordinary journey from professional football to local government reveals what it really takes to build thriving cities and authentic culture. Born and raised in American Samoa, Ifo’s story is shaped by a legacy of service. His father’s words—“It’s not OK to stand on the side and watch”—set him on a path that would eventually lead from the locker room to the city manager’s office. When chaos hit the City of Eagle Mountain, a young intern was unexpectedly thrust into leadership and turned down an NFL contract to stay and serve. What followed was a remarkable municipal career defined by purpose, growth, and heart. In This Episode, We Explore: From Samoa to the NFL: How early lessons in service and sacrifice shaped a leader. The Intern Who Became City Manager: How crisis created calling in local government. Choosing Purpose Over Paychecks: Why Ifo walked away from professional football to build cities. Building the Firsts: From grocery stores to Google, how Eagle Mountain grew from a town of 250 to 70,000. Culture with Cariño: The story behind the Spanish word that transformed an entire city’s identity. Leading Through People, Not Titles: How frontline employees became the heart of culture change. Falling in Love with Your City: Why emotional connection is the foundation of effective leadership. Show Some Love for Our Sponsor Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software designed for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com
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244: Book of the Week: The Ideal Team Player
Show Notes: Book of the Week – The Ideal Team PlayerEpisode 244 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Why do some technically competent local government leaders struggle while others thrive? This week in the MLDC, Seth Winterhalter explores Patrick Lencioni's "The Ideal Team Player" and reveals the three character virtues that matter more than credentials in determining leadership success. Seth unpacks why hiring for competence without assessing character leaves communities with leaders who can't build trust, drive improvement, or navigate the complex human dynamics that define public service. If you've ever wondered why some of your best ideas get ignored, why your team lacks motivation, or why your technical solutions fail due to political dynamics, this episode connects those pain points directly to missing character virtues. Key Insights: The Three Essential Virtues: Humble, hungry, and people-smart and why these character traits matter more in government than private sector leadership The Humility Problem: How ego-driven leadership destroys trust in politically charged environments, even when leaders have the right answers The Hunger Gap: Why organizations stagnate when leaders and staff do only the minimum, and how drive becomes the engine for innovation despite resource constraints People Intelligence Over Technical Expertise: Why emotional intelligence and the ability to read situations matter more than policy knowledge in determining leadership effectiveness Character as Survival Strategy: How these three virtues help leaders weather political transitions, budget crises, and community conflicts The Compound Effect: Why individual character development transforms entire organizational cultures and community outcomes Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com Resources Mentioned Book: The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni MLDC Info: www.haltingwinter.com/mldc Connect with Seth LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com
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243: Graham Mitchell: Beyond Politics and Polarization: How Local Government Rebuilds Trust in a Divided Age
What does it look like to lead a city when national politics dominate the headlines, communities are increasingly polarized, and residents arrive at city hall with deep mistrust of government? In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Graham Mitchell, City Manager of El Cajon, California, to explore the lessons of a career that’s spanned small towns, growing suburbs, and now one of the most diverse cities in the country. From his early years in Washington, D.C., watching federal leaders up close, to discovering the power of local government as an intern, Graham’s journey is a case study in leadership, resilience, and impact. We talk about: Fit over prestige – why bigger isn’t always better, and how the right cultural fit creates lasting impact. Building trust with immigrant communities – from tours of city hall to restoring confidence in public institutions. Innovation under constraint – how budget crises led to unexpected breakthroughs in Lemon Grove. Politics in city hall – what happens when national polarization seeps into local councils, and how leaders can rise above it. Saying yes before you feel ready – the mindset that helped Graham move from intern to city manager by age 31. This conversation is a reminder that while Washington may dominate the news cycle, it’s in city halls where trust is built, lives are changed, and the future of our communities is decided. Show Some Love for Our Sponsors Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software designed for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Zencity – helping hundreds of local governments cut through the noise and make data-driven decisions with confidence. Learn more at info/zencity.io/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com
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242: Voices of Kentucky Leadership: Live from the KLC Annual Conference
What happens when you gather Kentucky’s municipal leaders under one roof? You get stories that remind us why local government matters. In this special episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, recorded live at the Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference, Seth Winterhalter sits down for a series of short conversations with leaders serving on the frontlines of municipal life. You’ll hear from: Mayor Robb Adams (City of Carrollton) – on his journey from paramedic and firefighter to elected office in a small Ohio River city. Ashley Jackson (City Clerk, Bowling Green) – on her career path, the importance of city clerks, and her role as President of the Kentucky Municipal Clerks Association. Brian Traugott (KLC Chief Member Services Officer) – reflecting on more than a decade as Mayor of Versailles and his new work supporting cities statewide. Kathy Walker (City Clerk, Nicholasville) – on the lessons learned from nearly two decades in public service and what it takes to serve a growing city. These conversations capture the heart of local leadership: ordinary people stepping into extraordinary responsibility to keep their communities thriving. Show Some Love for Our Sponsor Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com
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241: Amber Vogan: Fighting Imposter Syndrome: The Confidence Crisis Every CEO Faces
What happens when the clerk in the back office becomes the city’s CEO? In this episode, Amber Vogan, City Manager of Bonner Springs, Kansas, shares her unexpected journey from utility billing to the city manager’s chair and what it feels like to lead when you don’t believe you’re ready. From fighting imposter syndrome to juggling three counties, nine councilmembers, and an amphitheater that seats 18,000, her story is a raw look at the weight and reward of public service. We talk about: Why imposter syndrome is common even at the highest levels of leadership. The unique pressures of running a “small” city with big-city problems. How mentors and peers can push leaders out of comfort and into growth. Whether you’re leading a city, a department, or considering the leap into management, this conversation will remind you: no leader ever feels fully ready, but the seat still needs you. Show Some Love for Our Sponsors Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software designed for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Zencity – helping hundreds of local governments cut through the noise and make data-driven decisions with confidence. Learn more at info/zencity.io/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com
The HaltingWinter Podcast offers insights and strategies for city managers and municipal leaders to transform their leadership, energize their teams, and revitalize their municipalities. Hosted by Seth Winterhalter, President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, we explore innovative approaches to balance personal well-being with professional growth while cultivating a vibrant workplace culture.
Discover how to lead with purpose, navigate complex challenges, and deliver exceptional results for your community. Each episode provides actionable advice to help you thrive in the unique landscape of municipal leadership.
Whether you're a seasoned city manager or new to municipal leadership, this podcast is your resource for personal and professional growth. Tune in and join our mission of making stronger cities through stronger leaders.
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