Thank you for Subscribing to Gov Business Review Weekly Brief
Gov Business Review: Specials Magazine
City of South Hutchinson
Leading A City With Intent And Accountability
My journey into public service began with a persistent drive to create change. Early in my career, I saw gaps in systems and decision-making, but I had limited ability to influence outcomes. That led me toward city administration, where I could shape policies and outcomes while staying transparent and accountable. I began at the ground level and worked my way up through multiple roles before moving into leadership. My time in engineering, especially with the City of Hutchinson, changed my perspective. It showed me how public-facing this work is and how every decision ties back to the tax base. It made me realize just how much responsibility comes with the role, and that’s something that continues to guide how I lead. My experience in the Certified Public Manager program at the University of Kansas further shaped my mindset. It sharpened my leadership approach and, more importantly, my understanding of communication. I learned that effective leadership depends on adapting how you communicate based on whom you are working with, and meeting people where they are has become a critical part of how I lead, something I continue to work on. Building a Stronger Organizational Foundation When I stepped into the role of City Administrator, the immediate priority was getting everyone aligned. There were silos across departments, low morale, and a lack of clarity around roles and expectations. At the same time, there was a broader perception that the city was not communicating openly enough with its residents. We started with staffing adjustments, clarifying job roles, and bringing in people who aligned with where we were headed. Over time, these changes improved performance and morale. The shift is noticeable even outside of work, with employees’ families seeing the difference. At the same time, we updated operational systems that lacked structure and consistency. By implementing new software, improving file organization, and putting clearer processes in place, weâ€
Govt Consulting
Rebuilding Civic Systems Through Technology and Trust
Jeff Auker, Director of Development Services, City of Hartford
Firefighter Training
Finding a Path to Practical and Successful Data Governance
Bojan Duric, Chief Data & Innovation Officer, City of Virginia Beach
Firefighter Training
Expanding Civic Engagement Beyond the Town Square
Gia Matheny, Community and Economic Development Director, City of Hernando
Crisis Management
There is No Perfect IT Org Chart, But There is a Better Way to Reduce Friction
Craig Poley, CIO, City of Arvada
Government HR
Leading Digital Transformation in Local Government
Keith McMellen, Director of Data Strategy, Analytics, and AI Integration, City of Sandy Springs
IN MY OPINION
Crisis Management
Public Safety at the Speed of Planning: Why Strategy, Technology, and Trust Must Move Together
Al Gardner, Executive Director of Public Safety, City and County of Denver
LAST WORD
Gov Operations
From Incident to Recovery: Why Tying Technology Response Plans to Business Continuity Is Critical for Government Agencies
Melissa Kraft, CIO, City of Frisco
IN FOCUS
Disaster Emergency and Complaint Services Strengthening Public Response Systems
Integrated disaster, emergency, and complaint services improve response coordination, public safety, communication efficiency, and community resilience.
Harnessing the Power of Data Storytelling for Enhanced Business Intelligence
Adopting data storytelling services gains clearer insights, faster decisions, improved collaboration, automation capabilities, and stronger data-driven strategies.
EDITORIAL
Leading the Future of Public Service
Government organizations today are under growing pressure to deliver better services, strengthen public trust and manage resources effectively while responding to evolving community needs. In this edition of Govt Business Review, we spotlight the leaders and organizations demonstrating how accountability, strategic planning and clear communication can drive meaningful outcomes across the public sector.
In this issue’s cover story we look at Jeff Schenk, City Administrator, City of South Hutchinson, who was awarded City Administrator of the Year 2026. Schenk has received this award by employing a management style which promotes accountability and openness, and focuses on deliberate decision-making. The organization has become more aligned and efficient, while community interaction and a focus on strategic economic development have become stronger. He was also successful in balancing long-term objectives and citizen concerns, thereby securing an optimistic path forward while fostering trust.
Also recognized in this issue is Kreate Strategies as the Top Data Storytelling Service 2026. As more data is gathered by governmental bodies, turning that information into action is becoming one of the paramount struggles in data usage. The company tackles that issue by assisting public entities in turning survey results into understandable narratives, facilitating swift, better-informed decision making. The company’s mission to ensure that everyone on an agency team can understand the presented data has guided them from data to action.
Combined, these award winners portray a picture of two of the major goals for the government: competent leadership and intelligent decision-making. From enhancing municipal efficiencies to building community relationships, to improving the way agencies leverage their data, the recipients’ work reinforces the importance of practical approaches that bring citizens and customers tangible value. We invite you to explore the stories and insights featured in this edition of Govt Business Review. They offer valuable perspectives on the leadership, accountability and innovation helping government organizations build stronger communities and create lasting public value.
