The HaltingWinter Podcast

Tom Modica: Why Compliance Isn't Commitment
The Leadership Approach That Inspires Ownership

Episode 361 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> What separates teams that simply follow instructions from teams that truly take ownership?
According to Long Beach City Manager Tom Modica, the answer isn't better policies or tighter supervision. It's helping people understand why their work matters.
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth sits down with Tom to explore a leadership philosophy built on communication, humility, and trust. Tom shares the journey that took him from working seasonal Parks & Recreation jobs in Tucson to leading one of America's largest cities, while offering practical lessons for city managers, assistant city managers, department heads, and anyone committed to building a stronger organizational culture.
Along the way, Tom discusses why saying "yes" to uncomfortable opportunities accelerated his career, how Long Beach became a national leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, and why local government leaders must do more than deliver services—they must create the conditions where communities and employees can thrive.
Whether you're leading a team of five or an organization of thousands, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom on developing people, communicating with purpose, and inspiring ownership instead of simple compliance.
About Tom Modica
Tom Modica is the City Manager of Long Beach, California, where he leads one of the nation's largest and most diverse cities. Since joining the City in 2002, he has served in nearly every level of municipal leadership before being appointed City Manager in 2020. Under his leadership, Long Beach successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, has become a growing hub for aerospace innovation through "Space Beach," is advancing affordable housing and economic development initiatives, and is preparing to host multiple events during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A passionate advocate for public service, Tom is known for his commitment to building strong organizational culture through humility, clear communication, and purpose-driven leadership.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – The Splendid and the Vile
Episode 360 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> On May 10, 1940, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the same day Hitler invaded the Netherlands and Belgium. Weeks later, France would fall, and London would face nearly a year of nightly bombing. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter continues the MLDC Summer Series, Stories That Shape Leaders, with Erik Larson's The Splendid and the Vile — a vivid, deeply researched account of Churchill's first year as Prime Minister.
Seth breaks down why this book belongs on every municipal leader's shelf: the honest communication that built public trust even in Britain's darkest hour, the inner circle of advisors Churchill built and actually listened to, his insistence on one-page memos as a discipline of clear thinking, and the harder question of how leaders sustain themselves through a crisis with no clear end date. None of these are abstract history lessons...they're tools for anyone leading a city, county, or department through sustained pressure today.



Join the MLDC
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 monthly virtual mastermind sessions
     ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training for local gov leaders
➡ Learn more at https://HaltingWinter.com/MLDC
Resources Mentioned
Book: The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
Connect with Seth Winterhalter
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://HaltingWinter.com

Bryan Poster: When Your Greatest Asset Retires
How Technology Helps Preserve Institutional Knowledge

Episode 359 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Every local government is facing the same reality: some of its most experienced employees are nearing retirement. The question isn't if they'll leave—it's whether decades of institutional knowledge will leave with them.
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Bryan Poster, Borough Manager for Telford Borough, Pennsylvania, to discuss his unique journey from IT Director to Borough Manager and why technology is about far more than computers and software. It's about preserving knowledge, improving service, and preparing organizations for the future.
Drawing on more than two decades in municipal technology, Bryan shares practical lessons on leading organizational change, digitizing critical information, and helping communities move forward without losing the experience that has shaped them.
Whether you're a city manager, department director, HR professional, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers valuable insights on leading through change while honoring the people who built your organization.
About Bryan Poster
Bryan Poster is the Borough Manager for Telford Borough, Pennsylvania. Before becoming a manager, he spent more than two decades leading municipal technology initiatives, helping modernize operations, improve efficiency, and support every department across the organization. His unique background gives him a practical perspective on how technology, leadership, and organizational culture intersect to better serve communities.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Elisa Cox: The Leaders Who Don't Chase Titles
How Unexpected Opportunities Shape Exceptional Careers

Episode 358 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> What if the career you're meant to have isn't the one you planned?
Elisa Cox never set out to become a city manager. In fact, for years she insisted she didn't want the job. But each time an unexpected opportunity appeared, she chose to step up, learn, and serve. Those decisions ultimately led her to become the City Manager of Rancho Cucamonga, California.
In this conversation, Elisa shares the lessons she learned from navigating roles she didn't feel ready for, the mentors who believed in her before she believed in herself, and why the greatest leaders aren't driven by titles—they're driven by impact.
Along the way, she also offers a compelling vision for why local government must do a better job telling its story and inspiring the next generation of public servants.
Whether you're an emerging leader wondering what's next, a department head preparing for greater responsibility, or a city manager investing in future leaders, this episode is a powerful reminder that exceptional careers are often built one unexpected opportunity at a time.
About Elisa Cox
Elisa Cox is the City Manager of Rancho Cucamonga, California. Throughout her career, she has served in parks and recreation, human resources, executive leadership, and city management, bringing a people-first approach to every role. Passionate about community, leadership development, and public service, she believes the greatest impact leaders can make is investing in the people who serve others.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Shoe Dog
Episode 357 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> This week on The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter introduces Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the Nike founder's candid memoir of building a global brand from a "crazy idea" with no money, no team, and no guarantee it would survive. Seth makes the case for why this unconventional leadership story belongs on every local government leader's reading list: not for the business lessons, but for Knight's raw honesty about uncertainty, conviction, and the real cost of building something meaningful.
The episode continues the MLDC's summer series, "Stories That Shape Leaders," where members are exploring five ideas drawn from the book — calling, team-building around belief, leading through chronic uncertainty, growth without margin, and the weight of public service — each translated specifically for the realities of local government leadership.



Join the MLDC
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 monthly virtual mastermind sessions
     ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training for local gov leaders
➡ Learn more at https://HaltingWinter.com/MLDC
Resources Mentioned
Book: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Connect with Seth Winterhalter
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://HaltingWinter.com