Episode 178 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

In honor of National Public Works Week, The HaltingWinter Podcast turns the spotlight on one of the most vital yet often misunderstood pillars of local government: public works. In this episode, host Seth Winterhalter sits down with Ryan Blancke, Assistant Public Works Director for York County, South Carolina—one of the fastest-growing counties in the Southeast—to uncover what it really takes to keep a modern county moving forward.

From starting as a high school intern in 11th grade to now overseeing more than 260 employees and millions in infrastructure, Ryan’s story is a masterclass in saying “yes” to growth, embracing leadership, and building systems that serve people.

If you’ve ever wondered what public works actually does or how the right leader can make it all run with excellence and purpose, this episode will open your eyes to the complexity, creativity, and calling behind the scenes.

• The Internship That Changed Everything
  How a high school program opened the door to a lifelong career in local government

• From Engineering to Leadership
  Why Ryan pivoted from design to process and how that shift helped modernize operations across multiple departments

• More Than Just Roads
  The incredible scope of public works in York County, from fleet and facilities to landfill, water/sewer, and even animal control

• Stretch Roles and Smart Risks
  How saying “yes” to opportunities before you feel ready can shape a powerful leadership path

• Managing the Chaos
  How Ryan leads systems, staff, and service across 700 square miles, 600+ vehicles, and millions in capital projects

• Partnering with the Private Sector
  Why collaboration, procurement, and communication are just as vital as equipment and manpower

• Telling the Story of Public Works
  Why we need to do a better job educating residents, and even other city departments, about what Public Works does and why it matters

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-blancke-1930921b/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions:
We build stronger cities by building stronger leaders. Explore our leadership development keynotes, workshops, and services at HaltingWinter.com

Seth Winterhalter headlines the 2025 APWA South Carolina Chapter Annual Conference in Spartanburg, June 23rd–26th.
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