The Clear Voice

The City of Denison, Texas, is searching for its next Director of Development Services during a period of significant growth and development.
In this PositionCast™, Interim City Manager Renee’ Waggoner discusses the opportunity, Denison’s leadership culture, the Development Services team, and what the successful candidate will need to bring to the role.
Topics include:
• Leading planning and zoning, building permitting and inspections, neighborhood services and code compliance, and historic preservation.
• Managing rapid growth while protecting Denison’s historic character, established neighborhoods, and quality of life.
• The approximately 3,200 acre Preston Harbor development along Lake Texoma and other major growth occurring throughout the community.
• Building strong relationships with employees, developers, residents, City Council, and community partners.
• The leadership style, experience, and approach Denison is seeking in its next director.
Salary Range: $150,000 to $170,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
First Review: August 24, 2026.
Learn more and apply:https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/denison-texas-director-of-development-services-job-posting
 
00:00 Denison Is the Right Step01:30 Growth and Opportunity in Denison02:49 Leadership and Culture at the City08:04 Managing Growth While Protecting Denison11:48 The Director of Development Services Role16:25 Preston Harbor and What’s Ahead19:39 What Makes Denison Special27:37 The First 90 Days and Ideal Candidate
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

The City of Rowlett, Texas is searching for its next City Manager.
In this PositionCast™, Rowlett Mayor Jeff Winget joins James Groom, The Clear Voice host, and Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals and lead recruiter for the search, for an in depth conversation about the community, the organization, and the leadership opportunity ahead.
Rowlett is a community of nearly 70,000 residents on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The city is entering an important period of transition, with significant opportunities in economic development, organizational culture, infrastructure, capital projects, and community growth.
Mayor Winget discusses the City Council’s priorities for the next City Manager, including rebuilding trust, strengthening communication, filling key leadership vacancies, developing a positive organizational culture, and moving major projects forward. He also explains why economic development will be critical to Rowlett’s future, including opportunities at Sapphire Bay and in the North Shore area.
The conversation also explores several funded capital projects, including a new public safety building, animal shelter, and improvements to Herfurth Park.
Throughout the episode, Mayor Winget emphasizes the importance of humility, honesty, empathy, communication, and a willingness to listen. The City is looking for a leader who wants to put down roots in Rowlett, build relationships with employees and residents, and help shape the community for years to come.
The salary range is $285,000 to $315,000, with a competitive benefits package.
Applications are open through August 28, 2026.
Learn more about the City Manager opportunity and apply:https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/rowlett-texas-city-manager-job-posting
00:00 Introduction03:04 Why This Moment Matters for Rowlett07:12 Leadership, Council, and Community11:30 Priorities for the Next City Manager17:14 Economic Development and Rowlett’s Future21:25 Capital Projects and Growth Opportunities24:59 Organizational Culture and Rebuilding Trust28:03 Living and Working in Rowlett37:40 The Candidate Rowlett Is Looking For41:21 Why Experienced City Managers Should Consider Rowlett43:26 Salary, Benefits, and Recruitment Process47:20 Final Message to Candidates
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

This episode is dedicated to Zackery Mehlman, July 19, 2004 to March 22, 2021, and the more than 350,000 lives lost to the opioid crisis. May their memories strengthen our commitment to preventing further loss.
This episode includes discussions of mental health, substance abuse, fentanyl, overdose deaths, and family trauma.
Listener discretion is advised.
A community crisis cannot be solved by one department, one program, or one enforcement strategy.
Aubrey D. Paul, also known as A.D. Paul, joins James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese to discuss the experiences behind his memoir, Plano Grace. Aubrey is a retired Plano police sergeant and longtime crisis intervention leader whose career placed him at the center of Plano’s response to heroin addiction and overdose deaths during the 1990s.
Aubrey shares how law enforcement, city leadership, schools, hospitals, churches, treatment providers, and other community partners came together during the crisis. He also explains why transparency, collaboration, and treating every person with dignity remain essential when communities confront addiction, mental illness, and other complex challenges.
The conversation explores the continued fight against fentanyl, the development of crisis intervention programs, the importance of Narcan access, and the role municipal leaders play in supporting long-term solutions. Aubrey also discusses the personal loss, family struggles, redemption, and faith that shaped his life and inspired him to write Plano Grace.
📘 Purchase Plano Grace on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3TVWzPs
00:00 Dignity and Respect in Law Enforcement00:16 Introduction and Content Advisory02:28 Aubrey D. Paul’s Journey into Law Enforcement05:07 Leadership and the Growth of Plano08:13 The Story Behind Plano Grace14:02 How Plano Responded to a Community Crisis18:17 Addiction Then and Now23:30 Communication, Transparency, and the Media26:29 Encouragement for Frustrated Officers31:02 Helping a Loved One Facing Addiction34:35 The Development of Crisis Intervention Teams39:03 Community Partnerships and Jail Diversion42:06 Investing in Long-Term Solutions44:24 Narcan and Overdose Prevention46:08 Aubrey’s Final Message and Faith Journey48:53 Continuing to Serve with Purpose49:43 Closing and Resources
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Ben Jarrett has spent his career around water, first as a professional bass fisherman, then in the boating industry, and now as a Regional Sales Director for Next Meters USA.
In this episode of The Clear Voice, Ben joins James Groom to discuss his unconventional career journey and the lessons he learned from fishing, competition, hard work, and conservation.
The conversation then moves into the challenges facing municipal water utilities. Ben explains how aging meters can miss usage, how hidden leaks can lead to unexpectedly high bills, and how smart water meters give utilities and customers faster access to accurate information.
They also discuss water scarcity, infrastructure planning, meter replacement, customer satisfaction, and the importance of selecting technology that employees can actually understand and use. Ben shares what communities should consider when moving from manual meter reading or drive-by systems to advanced metering infrastructure.
For Next Meters, the goal is simple: provide utilities with powerful technology while making smart water beautifully simple.
Chapters
00:57 Introduction and Ben’s Career Journey
03:02 From Professional Bass Fishing to the Water Industry
05:54 Work Ethic, Preparation, and Career Lessons
08:29 Meeting Your Heroes and Competing at the Highest Level
10:22 Conservation and Protecting Water Resources
12:07 Water Scarcity and the Role of Smart Metering
14:52 Finding Leaks and Water Loss Faster
16:53 Customer Satisfaction and Usage Awareness
21:13 Aging Meters and Lost Utility Revenue
23:36 Better Data for Rates and Infrastructure Planning
25:09 Moving from Manual Reading to Smart Metering
27:36 Implementing and Maintaining a Smart Meter System
31:10 Choosing the Right Metering Technology
33:25 Why Software and Usability Matter
35:58 Making Smart Water Beautifully Simple
40:41 Encouragement for Utility Professionals
Connect with Ben
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-jarrett-288969108/
Email: bjarrett@nextmeters.com
Phone: 903-387-3550
Learn More About Next Meters
https://nextmeters.com/
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

What if a city could inspect roads, drainage systems, water tanks, utilities, and other hard-to-reach infrastructure faster, safer, and with more detail than a traditional field survey?
In this episode of The Clear Voice, Host James Groom talks with Craig Kerkhoff, PE and Dr. Robert Hendricks of Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP about how LiDAR, drones, remote sensing, 3D mapping, and artificial intelligence are changing municipal engineering.
They explain how LiDAR creates detailed 3D models that help cities document existing conditions, improve worker safety, speed up surveys, inspect infrastructure, and support future projects. The conversation also explores how cities can turn raw data into useful information and better decisions.
Topics include LiDAR technology, drone-based surveys, digital mapping, elevated storage tank inspections, pavement analysis, municipal asset identification, and the future of AI in city infrastructure.
Learn more about Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP: https://bhcllp.com
Contact Craig Kerkhoff: ckerkhoff@bhcllp.com
00:00 Introduction to Innovative Infrastructure Inspection02:15 Meet the Experts: Craig and Robert04:28 The Role of BHC in Municipal Engineering07:00 Transitioning from Geology to Engineering08:19 The Power of LiDAR Technology09:03 Understanding LiDAR: How It Works11:32 Creating 3D Maps for Cities13:03 Improving Survey Speed and Safety15:14 Eliminating Red Tape with Drone Surveys16:59 Rapid Data Collection for Municipal Projects17:55 How LiDAR Works in Dense Environments18:55 Real-World LiDAR Applications25:59 From Data to Information to Understanding33:24 AI, Digital Twins, and the Future of City Mapping38:06 Advice for Public Works Leaders40:51 How to Connect with BHC
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

In Episode #74 of The Clear Voice, host James Groom sits down with Justin Atherton, President of Training and Operations at Proactive Leadership, bestselling author of How to Get to the Damn Point, and a nationally recognized leadership and investigative interviewing instructor.
Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in corrections, patrol, investigations, SWAT, supervision, and leadership development, Justin shares practical strategies for becoming a more effective communicator and leader. The conversation explores why clarity builds confidence, how supervisors can coach employees without creating dependence, and why emotional regulation goes far beyond the traditional concept of emotional intelligence.
James and Justin also discuss cognitive interviewing, building rapport, avoiding memory contamination, creating organizational buy-in, and helping employees develop the confidence to make sound decisions on their own.
Whether you work in law enforcement, local government, human resources, investigations, or another leadership role, this episode offers practical tools for communicating more clearly and leading more effectively.
Topics discussed include:
• Why clarity is a leadership obligation• The Point–Why–Context communication framework• Coaching employees to become confident decision-makers• Building trust through clear and authentic communication• Emotional regulation, emotional vocabulary, agility, and resilience• Cognitive interviewing and avoiding memory contamination• Building rapport during difficult interviews and investigations• Creating buy-in during organizational change• Developing future leaders through coaching and accountability
Chapters
00:00 Preview00:26 Introduction to Leadership and Communication02:45 Justin's Journey Through Law Enforcement05:18 Why Communication Is a Leadership Skill07:49 Lessons from Corrections and Patrol10:28 Becoming a Leader Instead of Just Doing the Job14:32 Clarity Is a Leadership Obligation16:08 Confidence vs. Competence in Leadership19:23 Creating Organizational Buy-In22:47 Coaching Without Micromanaging27:45 Developing Independent Decision-Makers28:26 The Cognitive Interview and Better Conversations36:02 Emotional Regulation Beyond Emotional Intelligence40:40 Justin's Favorite Leadership Emotions43:28 Inside How to Get to the Damn Point48:36 Where to Find Justin's Book and Training49:19 Final Leadership Advice50:23 Outro
Learn more about Proactive Leadership:https://proactiveleader.com
Purchase How to Get to the Damn Point:https://a.co/d/08C3Gqlo
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

In this episode of The Clear Voice, we highlight the Chief of Police opportunity in Pampa, Texas. Host and recruiter James Groom visits with City Manager Shane Stokes and Assistant City Manager Dustin Miller about the community, the police department, the city’s leadership culture, and the type of servant leader Pampa is seeking for its next Chief of Police.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Pampa Chief of Police Opportunity02:51 Meet City Manager Shane Stokes03:50 Meet Assistant City Manager Dustin Miller06:20 Leadership Philosophy and Servant Leadership08:23 Working with the Mayor and City Commission09:56 Mission Statement, Absolutes, and Organizational Culture12:14 One City Team: Collaboration Across Departments15:20 About the Pampa Police Department17:51 Motors, Dispatch, and Community Trust20:15 Department Strengths and Current Challenges21:43 Key Public Safety and Community Partnerships24:24 Welcome Home: Life in Pampa27:32 Recreation, Events, and Quality of Life32:21 What Pampa Wants in Its Next Police Chief36:01 How Candidates Can Apply38:27 Final Thoughts from Dustin Miller and Shane Stokes39:57 Closing Remarks
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Denison, Texas is searching for its next City Manager, and this PositionCast™ gives candidates a closer look at the community, council, staff, and leadership environment behind the opportunity.
In this episode of The Clear Voice, host James Groom is joined by Mayor Robert Crawley and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese to discuss Denison’s historic character, award-winning downtown, access to Lake Texoma, strong community partnerships, and major development momentum.
The conversation also explores what the next City Manager will need to bring to the role, including communication, financial acumen, growth management, relationship building, humility, listening, and the ability to lead a strong staff without micromanaging.
Denison is a growing North Texas community with a historic Main Street district, a service-first culture, and a major opportunity ahead through the Preston Harbor development. Candidates interested in helping guide that next chapter are encouraged to review the full posting and brochure.
Full posting and brochure:https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/denison-texas-city-manager-job-posting
Chapters:
0:04 Welcome to The Clear Voice and the Denison Opportunity2:27 Mayor Robert Crawley Joins the Conversation2:58 Mayor Crawley’s Path to Denison and Public Service6:06 Banking, Service, and Local Government Leadership7:45 What Makes Denison Unique11:55 Schools, Families, Livability, and Community Partnerships13:48 Why Candidates Will Be Attracted to Denison15:24 Growth, Preston Harbor, and Preserving Denison’s Character19:26 Skills Needed for the Next City Manager21:42 How the Denison City Council Works23:08 Communication with Council, Staff, and the Community24:49 Team Denison and the Strength of City Staff26:40 Service-First Culture and Leadership Style28:47 First-Year Priorities for the New Manager30:46 Key Technical Skills for Candidates32:46 Humility, Listening, and Leadership Intangibles35:16 How to Apply for the Denison City Manager Role36:34 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom sits down with Matt Wright, Human Resources Director for the City of Buda, Texas, to talk about employee retention, organizational culture, and the human side of public service.
Matt brings a unique perspective to the conversation after transitioning from a long career with the Austin Police Department into municipal HR. The discussion explores why good employees leave public sector organizations, why culture often matters as much as compensation, and how leaders can better serve the employees who serve the community.
James and Matt also discuss the importance of organizational justice, procedural fairness, emotional regulation, and treating employees with dignity and respect. From public works crews fixing water lines in the Texas heat to police officers serving the public after a difficult interaction with a supervisor, this conversation focuses on how internal leadership directly affects external service.
Matt’s key takeaway for leaders is simple but powerful: you get to decide how you show up in your next interaction.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and why good employees leave
02:50 Culture, retention, and feeling valued
05:13 Balancing community expectations and employee needs
07:48 Public Works and the unseen work of local government
08:09 Recognizing employee disengagement before they leave
12:52 Matt’s transition from policing to municipal HR
22:20 The human element in public service leadership
24:31 HR as service to the people who serve the community
28:08 Organizational justice, fairness, and internal culture
32:50 Dignity, respect, and emotional regulation in leadership
35:10 Push versus hold: slowing down leadership reactions
38:12 Using AI to improve communication and understanding
41:18 Matt’s future aspirations and leadership growth
42:37 Final takeaway for leaders
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

In this episode of The Clear Voice, guests Debbie Munoz, Executive Director of the Texas Municipal Retirement System, Dan Wattles, former TMRS Director of Governmental Relations, and Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals, join host James Groom to discuss an important executive leadership opportunity with TMRS.
TMRS is recruiting for its next Director of Governmental Relations, a role that sits at the intersection of public policy, relationships, pension governance, and public service. This position plays a critical role in protecting the retirement system that serves Texas cities, public servants, retirees, and their families.
Throughout the conversation, Debbie and Dan explain why governmental relations at TMRS is about much more than monitoring legislation. The right person must build trust before session begins, understand how policy changes can impact the system, work closely with internal departments, and maintain strong relationships with state and federal stakeholders.
Dan shares his experience serving in the role and describes TMRS as one of the most rewarding positions of his career. Debbie also discusses TMRS’s organizational culture, the importance of collaboration, and the kind of energetic, engaged, mission-driven leader she hopes to bring into the organization.
For candidates with governmental relations experience, public policy knowledge, strong relationship-building skills, and a passion for public service, this is a rare opportunity to help protect one of the most important retirement systems in Texas.
Apply for the Position
Learn more and apply for the TMRS Director of Governmental Relations position here:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/tmrs-director-of-governmental-relations-posting
In This Episode
00:00 Introduction and Why This Role Matters03:02 Dan Wattles’ Path to TMRS06:17 Serving Texas Cities, Public Servants, and Retirees08:11 Debbie Munoz’s Background and TMRS Mission12:53 Why Governmental Relations Is Critical to TMRS15:16 Building Trust Before Legislative Session18:11 Playing Defense and Protecting the System21:04 Federal Issues and Pension Policy25:25 Why TMRS Is Different from a State Agency28:57 The Culture and Organizational Health at TMRS32:55 Internal Relationships and Cross-Department Collaboration38:23 The Work Between Legislative Sessions42:23 How to Apply for the TMRS Opportunity45:20 Living and Working in Austin50:19 Can Private-Sector GR Experience Transfer?53:17 Final Advice for Applicants
 
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro