APWA.net Event Detail

Date(s):

December 2, 2010

Location:

Audio/Web Broadcast

Cost:

Members: $175.00
Non Members: $300.00

Description:

Using Social Media to Deliver Your Public Works Message

If you want understand social media and all the hype surrounding it, please join us for an exploration of the many ways social media can be an important tool for public works communications.

Social networking has exploded onto the scene in the last few years. Countless books, articles, and even a recent Hollywood movie have been released detailing the reasons social networking is not just a passing phase, but instead a paradigm shift for media and communication. The days of simply placing a notice or an article in the local newspaper or on your agency�s website have clearly passed by. Local government can be severely handicapped when using outdated methods of communication to reach residents and community groups. Learn how social media will help you engage citizens, allowing them to become more involved in solving community challenges.

While there are many different forms of social media, this program will focus on three of the most widely used social media; Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

After this program, participants will be better able to:
�Describe the benefits of using social media to improve communication,
�Identify beneficial uses of social media for your public works agency,
�Develop and implement a social media strategy that works for your agency.

Speaker:

ALTERNATE SPEAKER: Amy Blaida, MPA

Project Coordinator
Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc.�s
Orlando, FL

As a Project Coordinator for Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc.�s (RS&H) Public Infrastructure/Transportation Program in Orlando, Fla., Ms. Blaida serves as a liaison between RS&H and infrastructure clients to ensure that lines of communication remain open and projects are handled and permitted expeditiously. She also coordinates public-involvement meetings on a variety of RS&H projects. As a client advocate, Ms. Blaida is responsible for representing clients at various forums and is involved with professional and community-related organizations. She regularly meets with leaders of local government, including city and county administrators, commissioners and many department directors. She received a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida. Ms. Blaida also serves as the Vice Chair of the Central Florida Branch of APWA, the editor for the Central Florida Branch Newsletter and recently graduated from APWA�s National Emerging Leaders Academy where she was involved in a social media research project for APWA�s National Social Media Committee. Ms. Blaida has given multiple presentations on the topic of social media for public agencies at the national and state level.

Speaker:

Hesha N. Gamble, P.E., PTOE

County Engieneer
County of Greenville, SC

Hesha Gamble was born and reared in Charleston, SC. She is the only girl of five siblings. She graduated from Clemson University in 2000 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering, and in 2001 with a Master�s degree in the same field. She obtained her Professional Engineer�s (P.E.) license in 2005 and in 2007, became registered as the first female Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) in the state of South Carolina. She began her professional career in January 2002 as the Traffic Engineer for the County of Greenville. In May 2007, at age 28, Hesha was promoted to County Engineer, becoming the youngest Division Manager ever for Greenville County. As the County Engineer, she is responsible for 77 employees while overseeing the engineering and maintenance of all County roads, approximately 1600 miles. This includes a $12 million operating budget and a $12 million annual road improvement program.

Mrs. Gamble is very active in her community and professional organizations. She is the past president of the SC Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and serves as the Diversity Liaison for the SC Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). She was a member of the 2008-09 Emerging Leaders Academy and was also recently appointed as a member of the Diversity Committee. She has served as a panelist at APWA Congress and has been a panelist on several APWA webinars. Hesha is also very active in several civic, church and community organizations.

In her �free� time, Hesha enjoys scrapbooking, running, playing & coaching basketball, reading and spending quality time with her husband. Hesha has been married to Jason J. Gamble for 6 � years and they are expecting their first child. Her future goals include co-owning a full-service civil engineering firm with her husband, a structural engineer.

Speaker:

Herbert M. Raybourn, P.E.

Civil Engineer
Reedy Creek Improvement District
Planning & Engineering
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Herbert M. Raybourn is a principal engineer with over 19 years experience in civil engineering with the last 9 in public works. He has a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and graduated from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Emerging Leaders Academy in 2009. Currently Herb is the Civil Engineer for the Reedy Creek Improvement District located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, where he manages multi-disciplinary teams to provide engineering solutions related to the operation of large resorts. As such, he oversees the environmental planning and protection of one of the world�s most visited destinations � Walt Disney World. His responsibilities include infrastructure operation, maintenance, permitting, protection, and design. Since 2002 Herb has championed energy reduction related to the District�s infrastructure. His leadership has led to reduced energy usage of the traffic control system by over 72%. This was accomplished by using LED technology and installing two solar powered traffic signals. Beginning in 2007 Herb began his research into using various Web 2.0 technologies to enhance public works operations as well as project management both at the District and industry in general. As a result, he has published various peer reviewed articles and is an invited speaker on this topic. He has also implemented various environment-friendly solutions to drainage and public works maintenance functions. He works closely with Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Operations Development on various resort and theme park projects and represents their interests when dealing with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District to secure the required permits for various Walt Disney projects.

Speaker:

MODERATOR: Bill Stogsdill

Director of Public Works
City of Fairway, Kansas

Bill Stogsdill has been with the City of Fairway, Kansas for 10 years and served as Director for nearly 5 of those years. Bill has been involved with Public Works since 1994 when he started his career with the City of Raytown, Missouri.

Bill is currently the chair of the Kansas City Metro Chapter�s Leadership and Management Committee and has been nominated to serve on the Executive Committee as a first year Director in 2011. Bill is also active on the National level by serving on the Project of the Year Committee and as a graduate of the second Emerging Leaders Academy.

Speaker:

Jeffery P. Brown, P.E.

Director of Engineering & Infrastructure
City of Fayetteville, NC

Jeffrey Brown is Director of Engineering and Infrastructure for the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He serves as department head for five divisions that have a total staff of 120 employees: Engineering, Stormwater, Street Maintenance, Traffic Services and Construction Management. Jeff�s been involved with APWA for five years, currently serving on the Administrative Management Board for the North Carolina APWA Chapter. Jeff was part of APWA�s second Emerging Leaders Academy Class. He is also an active member of Professional Engineers of the South Central Chapter and is entering his second year on the Board of Governors for that Chapter.

Content Questions:

Karen Wilson
(800) 848-2792
kwilson@apwa.net

Technology Questions:

Carrie Merker
(800) 848-2792
cmerker@apwa.net