Perspectives on local government professional careers, the local job market, and how job seekers should prepare for local government service.
Itinerary
How local governments work to be competitive in the employment market, and how students and recent graduates should prepare for their careers
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT
Annenberg Presidential Conference Center
9:00 a.m.
Welcome
John Sherman, DeanThe Bush School of Government and Public Service
9:15 a.m.
Bush School Former Students
Why a graduate degree in public service matters, finding that first (and second) job, how to assess whether that next job is a good fit
10:25 a.m.
Search Firms
Search firm representatives on job market trends, mistakes candidates make, and how to stand out in a crowded candidate field
11:45 a.m.
Elected Officials
Elected officials on what they look for in a manager, what local government should do to be competitive, what candidates should do to be noticed, perspectives on employment agreements, and how elected officials influence local government hiring decisions
1:35 p.m.
Private Sector
Bush School former students now in the private sector on skills and qualifications that should be prioritized by local government, what local government should know about the private sector, and room for improvement
2:45 p.m.
Appointed Officials
Local government executives on job market trends, strategies to remain competitive, the executive/elected official relationship in hiring decisions, and career advice
4:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
PANEL PARTICIPANTS
Bush School Former Students
Corby Alexander, City Manager | LaPorte, TX
Zyreshia Jackson*, Community and Economic Development Specialist | Bryan, TX
Reagan Rothenberger*, Director of Planning and Economic Development | Murphy, TX
Shanon Miller*, Director of Historic Preservation | San Antonio, TX
Facilitator:
Megan Alvear, Assistant Director of Development,
TAMU Foundation | College Station, TX
Search Firms
Kylie Wilson, CPS HR Consulting
Lissa Barker, Strategic Government Resources
Michael Boese, Clear Career Professionals
Edward Williams, Baker Tilly
Facilitator:
Matt Upton, Assistant Dean, Career and Student Services,
The Bush School of Government and Public Service,
Texas A&M University | College Station, TX
Elected Officials
Joe Zimmerman, Mayor | Sugar Land, TX
Andrew Friedberg, Former Mayor | Bellaire, TX
Bobby Gutierrez, Mayor | Bryan, TX
Facilitator:
Tiana Sanford, Bureau Chief, District Attorney;
Advisory Board Member, The Bush School of Government and Public Service
Harris County, TX
Private Sector
Ken Reimer, Managing Partner, Venture Land Group
Ramsey Cripe*, Schneider Engineering
Rayna Teicheira*, Senior Economic Development Analyst, HDL Companies
Matt Creel, Opportunity Austin
Facilitator:
Kathleen Weisenberger, Assistant City Manager
Portland, TX
Appointed Officials
Erik Walsh, City Manager | San Antonio, TX
Ed Broussard, City Manager | Tyler, TX
Allen Banks, Police Chief | Round Rock, TX
Bryan Woods, City Manager | College Station, TX
Facilitator:
Darrek Farrell*, Assistant City Manager
Victoria, TX
* Alumni Council Member
