Enrico Villegas: From Manual Labor to Municipal Leadership: The Journey from Doing to Leading

Episode 251 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

What does it take to go from digging trenches in the summer heat to leading a full-service city?

In this episode, Seth Winterhalter explores the remarkable journey of Enrico Villegas, City Manager of Hutchinson, Kansas, and a story defined by grit, curiosity, and the courage to keep learning when no one's handing you the answers.

From growing up in a small Iowa town to teaching English in Japan, from late-night study sessions at "the University of Google" to managing multimillion-dollar public works projects, Enrico's story is a masterclass in building leadership the hard way and the right way.

We dive into:

• Adversity as a teacher: How a tough upbringing and manual-labor jobs shaped Enrico's resilience and work ethic.

• Curiosity as a catalyst: Why self-education and endless questioning opened doors that formal credentials never could.

• The turning point: How a landscaping job, a six-foot trench, and a photo became a lifelong reminder of perspective.

• From technician to city manager: The leap from project inspector to public works to the city's top seat and what it really takes to lead people, not just projects.

• Redefining neighborhood improvement: How Hutchinson is tackling blight, revitalizing streets, and restoring civic pride.

• Leadership philosophy: Why Enrico believes real progress begins when you stop playing it safe and start leading with conviction.

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