Public Works Executive Fellowship

The Public Works Executive Fellowship will not be offered in 2023-2024. The next offering of this course will be in 2024-2025.

To be notified when registration opens for the 2024-2025 Public Works Executive Fellowship, email us. 

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The APWA-MN Public Works Executive Fellowship is the only executive training offered at the local level for public works professionals. This certificate program strengthens leadership skills essential for successful current and emerging executive-level leaders.

Program Elements

• Assess your personal leadership inventory and develop a sustainable leadership plan.
• Develop strategies for navigating and successfully leading within politically-charged environments.
• Learn effective methods for citizen engagement.
• Understand the use of visioning and strategic planning for your department and community.

Target Audience

Candidates should have experience in leading public works organizations (or their equivalent) at the department or divisional level.

Schedule

The course meets monthly September - April plus a graduation event in May. 

Lead Instructor

Wally Wysopal is a professional local government manager with nearly 30 years of experience; he is currently City Manager for the City of Fridley. Wally is the former Chair of the Board of Government Training Services and is Chair of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and Chair of the Metropolitan Area Manager's Association Labor Relations Committee. He earned a Certificate of Advanced Public Administration from Hamline University, a Master of Arts in Public Administration degree from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. He teaches Public Sector HR Management, Labor Relations and Local Government Management courses in the Hamline degree programs, and three certificate courses: including the Public Works Leadership Academy and Human Resources Essentials for Public Works Professionals.