Five Decades of Service: Michael McLaurin on What Makes a Community Truly Great
When Michael McLaurin talks about community, he does so with the clarity of someone who has lived it for fifty years. A North Carolina native whose public-service roots stretch back through generations, McLaurin is part of a rare lineage of leaders who have shaped cities across the state through steady hands, open hearts, and absolute […]
Art, Heritage, and a Stronger Tomorrow: Peoria County’s Year of Celebration
Few counties celebrate a bicentennial with as much creativity as Peoria County. Assistant County Administrator Shauna Musselman lights up when describing the community-wide art project that defined the county’s 200th year. Giant bison sculptures (“a playful nod to bi-centennial”) appeared across the county, each painted by local artists and weatherproofed by high school students. The […]
Learning, Listening, Leading: Lori Curtis Luther and the Future of Overland Park
For Lori Curtis Luther, City Manager of Overland Park, leadership begins with refusing the status quo. “We aren’t happy with the status quo. We are always looking to learn from others and push ourselves,” she says. It’s a philosophy that has helped shape Overland Park into one of America’s most admired mid-sized cities, a community […]
Pride Rooted Deep: Glenn Hull and the Strength of Charlton County
In Georgia’s southeastern corner, Charlton County is a place defined by history, resilience, and generational pride. Newly appointed County Administrator Glenn Hull felt that pride immediately and when pressed to choose a single word to describe his community, he didn’t hesitate: “Pride.” Charlton County’s identity is shaped by families who have lived there for more […]
Trees, Transparency, and Trust: How Ann Arbor Is Growing with Intention
Ann Arbor is often described as a college town, but City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. sees something far more layered. To him, community is not a single group or institution — it’s the full ecosystem that makes a city feel like home. “Community refers to every aspect of people that reside within our city. It’s […]
WithCast: Voices of Leadership at ICMA
In a virtually connected and noisy world, it’s easy to forget that some of the most meaningful change still happens close to home in small-town council chambers, county plazas, recreation centers, and downtown streets. At the 2025 ICMA Conference in Tampa, WithCast: Voices of Leadership sat down with city and county leaders from across the […]
City Hall of Fame Podcast: Brian Johnson, City Manager of Peachtree Corners
Join us for an inspiring and insightful debut episode featuring Brian Johnson, the City Manager of Peachtree, Georgia. In this conversation, we delve into the heart of community engagement, uncovering what it takes to lead a thriving city in today’s dynamic environment. Brian shares compelling stories of local heroes who go above and beyond to […]
