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Gov Business Review: Specials Magazine
Michelle Caba leads initiatives to drive business growth, attract capital investment, develop the workforce, and promote tourism. With a background that includes experience on Wall Street, entrepreneurship, business ownership, and economic development, she offers a distinct perspective on strengthening communities, supporting local businesses, and creating opportunities for long-term economic growth. Current Roles and Responsibilities Economic development is typically assessed through tangible outcomes, like new businesses opening, job creation, investment projects commencing, or increases in tourism numbers. While those results matter, they are usually the product of work that happens long before any announcement is made. Building relationships, supporting local businesses, creating partnerships, and connecting people with opportunities are often the foundations for sustainable growth. That philosophy shapes how I approach economic development in Deerfield Beach. My role includes attracting capital investment, supporting local businesses, helping drive workforce development, encouraging job creation, and increasing tourism. While each of these responsibilities serves a different purpose, they all contribute to supporting local businesses, attracting investment, creating jobs, and promoting Deerfield Beach as a place to live, work, and visit.
Public Policy and Affairs Services of the Year 2026
Policy decisions can reshape industries overnight, which is why organizations need more than traditional government relations. They need strategic partners who understand how regulations, public opinion, communications, and business objectives intersect. “Most of our clients come to us with highly complex, industry-specific, or business-specific challenges involving both a government policy component and a communications need,” says John Murray, CEO. Monument Advocacy operates at this intersection, bringing these two disciplines together to provide a comprehensive solution for companies, nonprofits, startups, and industry groups. By aligning policy strategy with compelling storytelling, the firm helps clients achieve positive policy outcomes while building a strong communications platform, ensuring their brand is presented in the best possible way to elected officials, stakeholders, and ultimately, their customers.
Leon Gaumond Jr. carries vast experience in governance and politics with over 35 years in public service, and the last 24 of which were dedicated to town administration. As Town Manager of Weston, he oversees the day-to-day operations of municipal departments under his authority, including Public Safety, Public Works, Municipal Facilities & Municipal Finance among other direct services. In an interview with Government Business Review, he shared how local governments translate community needs into action. Gaumond Jr. also highlighted the importance of cooperation and positivity in public service.
Michelle Kivela is a municipal leader with more than three decades of experience in local government. As Town Manager of Parker, Colorado, a full-service community of about 75,000 residents, she oversees municipal operations and works with elected leadership to guide priorities and services. Her career began in Texas municipalities before moving to Colorado, where she held leadership roles in Greenwood Village and Lone Tree, gaining experience across public safety, parks and recreation and city management. Building a Career across Municipal Operations My career in local government began in Texas with the Town of Addison after completing a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Public Administration at the University of North Texas. Early roles in Addison and Sugar Land introduced me to the fundamentals of municipal operations.
Jay Green is a seasoned municipal leader with over two decades of experience in local government and public service. As the Town Manager of Lenox, he is dedicated to fiscal transparency, infrastructure modernization, and community-driven economic development. Previously, the Town Administrator of Adams, Green leverages his deep expertise in municipal finance and strategic planning to enhance public safety and preserve the historic character of the Berkshires. Stewarding a Full-Service Community Lenox operates under a strong town manager– form of government, where I oversee the day-to-day operations of the town. The role brings together the responsibilities of a chief operating officer, chief fiscal officer, and chief administrative officer to ensure alignment across all municipal functions.
David Harris, Town Manager at Town of Pagosa Springs, operates at the intersection of policy and execution, ensuring that civic intent is translated into disciplined, measurable action. He aligns council priorities with cross-functional delivery, bringing clarity to budgeting, capital planning and day-to-day operations. By balancing immediate service demands with long-term community outcomes, he reinforces a governance model that is responsive, accountable and built for sustained public value. What Local Government Actually Asks of You Public service at the local level is immediate. It shows up in someone’s yard when the sewer backs up, in a road that floods, in a budget that either holds or doesn’t. That proximity is what makes the work serious and it is what makes trust so difficult to earn and so easy to lose.
CXO INSIGHTS
Becoming Car Optional: Transforming Transportation Choices
Hanna Cockburn, AICP, Director of Transportation, City of Greensboro
Creating New Alternatives to Address Violent Crime and Invest in Youth Workforce Development
Dan Keashen, Director of Public Affairs, Camden County
Lived Experience, Lasting Impact: Elevating Peer Support in the Era of Fentanyl
Nicholas Conner, Community Case Manager, Bernalillo County
Urban Planning: The Intersection of Growth and Community
Dr. Nana K. Appiah, Director of Development Service, City of Mesa
Secrets Of Success In The Public Workspace
Wesley M. McBride, Public Works Inspector Manager, City of Denton
IN FOCUS
Navigating Traffic Citations: The Benefits of Expert Legal Representation for Businesses
Professional traffic court representation helps businesses manage legal procedures, reduce disruption, and maintain operational efficiency.
User Research: Improving Product Design Through Behavioral Insights
Organizations are improving product safety and usability by applying human-centered research that identifies user challenges and supports better design decisions.
EDITORIAL
Building Stronger Communities Through Leadership and Collaboration
Good local government is easy to notice when it works. A road gets fixed, a project moves ahead, a business finds room to grow or residents get a clear answer about a difficult decision. Much of the work behind those outcomes comes down to planning, relationships and sound decisions. In this edition of Gov Business Review, we look at the people and organizations doing that work.
Leading the edition is Michelle Caba, Director of Economic Development at the City of Deerfield Beach, honored as the Economic Development Director of the Year 2026. Caba’s work goes beyond bringing new investment to the city. She also supports existing businesses, builds partnerships and promotes what Deerfield Beach has to offer. Programs such as Grow Deerfield Beach and Spend Local, Save Local give local businesses another way to reach residents and visitors, while hands-on workshops help owners make practical use of new tools.
Monument Advocacy, honored as the Public Policy and Affairs Services of the Year 2026, works across government relations and communications. The firm helps organizations navigate complex policy issues, develop clear messages and build support among policymakers and other stakeholders. Its work is led by Stewart Verdery, Founder, and John Murray, CEO.
David J. Harris, Town Manager of the Town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, honored among the Top 10 Town Managers 2026, focuses on infrastructure, finances and public trust. His experience with sewer infrastructure and flooding has reinforced the value of being direct with residents, particularly when communities face difficult and expensive choices.
Jay Green, Town Manager of the Town of Lenox, also honored among the Top 10 Town Managers 2026, brings a practical focus to municipal operations. His work includes major capital projects, financial oversight and improving internal systems while helping residents understand the decisions facing the town.
Together, these stories offer a closer look at public leadership on the ground, where progress often starts with good decisions, honest conversations and people willing to work together. We invite you to explore the edition.
