#52 - Successful Public Sector Projects with AG|CM

In Episode #52 of The Clear Voice, Marty Schmitt, President and CEO of AGCM, and Kendra Hickman, Director of Operations for AGCM South Texas, join the show to discuss what it actually takes to deliver successful public sector projects.

They are joined by Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals, and James Groom, Host of The Clear Voice.

From city facilities and infrastructure to school district bond programs, public sector leaders are often responsible for multimillion dollar projects without having the time, staff, or technical expertise to manage every detail. Even when leaders do everything right, projects can still fall behind schedule, exceed budgets, and create significant pressure from elected officials and the community.

This episode explores the real reasons projects fail and what separates successful outcomes from costly setbacks.

Marty and Kendra break down the critical role of communication, stakeholder alignment, and trust in project delivery. They explain how breakdowns between architects, contractors, and municipalities lead to delays, change orders, and finger pointing, and why those issues are often preventable with the right structure in place.

The conversation also highlights the value of owner’s representation in the public sector. Rather than designing or building projects, an owner’s representative serves as an extension of the municipality, providing unbiased oversight, protecting budgets, managing schedules, and ensuring that the final product meets the expectations of both leadership and the community.

Key topics include: • Why communication failures are the root cause of most project breakdowns • The hidden risks city managers, finance directors, and department heads take on during major projects • How early stakeholder alignment can prevent costly changes later • The financial risks associated with billing, change orders, and contract oversight • The difference between public and private sector project delivery • Why successful projects often feel “invisible” when done correctly • The real cost of trying to manage complex projects without dedicated support

This episode is designed for city managers, assistant city managers, public works directors, finance directors, school district leaders, and elected officials who are responsible for delivering capital projects in their communities.

Whether you are preparing for a major project or currently managing one, this conversation provides practical insight into reducing risk, improving outcomes, and protecting public trust.

AGCM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ag-cm-inc-/

AGCM Website: https://www.agcm.com/

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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.

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