We sit down with former Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard for an engaging and insightful conversation about her impressive journey in public service, community leadership, and what lies ahead in her own encore career.
From her early days working in librarianship and education to her breakthrough moment mobilizing the community for important school levies, Kim shares how her adaptability, collaborative spirit, and commitment to transparency shaped her political path.
She talks about the often-unseen challenges of city leadership—including managing through crises like the opioid epidemic and COVID-19—while tackling issues like economic development, diversity, and housing in Whitehall.
Kim also opens up about what true leadership looks like, the importance of strong community partnerships, and advice for both aspiring public servants and anyone searching for a meaningful encore career.
Whether you’re curious about navigating career transitions, passionate about public service, or interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of local politics, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and heartfelt stories. Stay tuned and get ready to look forward—our way!
3 key takeaways:
Leadership is Vision + Empathy: True leaders communicate their vision, listen to all voices (including naysayers!), and never forget that they serve their community first.
Resilience in the Face of Challenge: Whether navigating the uncertainties of COVID-19, addressing housing and opioid crises, or driving infrastructure improvements, Kim showed that challenges can be the most energizing part of public service.
Encore Careers Start with Openness: As Kim transitions beyond the mayor’s office, she stresses the importance of patience, volunteerism, and openness to new opportunities—your experience always has value, regardless of age or title.
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The views and opinions expressed by the experts interviewed on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations. The information provided in these interviews is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for specific advice or information related to their individual circumstances. The podcast host and producers do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided by the experts interviewed. Listener discretion is advised.
Transcripts
Brett Johnson [:
We are looking forward our way. Hi, this is Brett. For over 20 years, her successful political career held a vision to improve city government by putting its citizens first. This central Ohio suburb had many challenges, but our guest, former Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard, met those challenges head on through creative partnerships, attracting new business and supporting residents and business owners. Let's welcome Mayor Kim Maggard to discuss her political career path and the new challenges she she sees as she moves into her own encore career. Thanks for joining us.
Kim Maggard [:
Well, thank you. I appreciate you having me here today.
Carol Ventresca [:
This is a great little reunion. Brett and I loved Whitehall. Even when we would say that and people would give us a look like what? You know, we loved Whitehall and most of it because you and your team were so welcoming to employment for seniors, and we had a great run there when we were working together. So thanks for coming to see us today. This is wonderful.
Kim Maggard [:
Well, you're welcome. And I'm happy to be here. And, you know, Whitehall is a very welcoming city, and I don't feel like it gives the kudos that it deserves. So we'll probably talk more about that.
Carol Ventresca [:
Absolutely, absolutely. There are incredible, interesting gems in Whitehall, and it's almost like it's a light under a bushel and people don't see those wonderful lights. So, yeah, this is going to be fun. Brett used the term that you were going into kind of a next path on your career. We call it an encore career. That's a label that not too many people know or understand. So for some, their chosen career has taken a turn and they are venturing toward a new challenge. For others, it could be retirement.
Carol Ventresca [:
And others, it may be a new employment opportunity defined differently than their past work, the format or structure, or possibly something completely new, different career field. So our encore propels us into something. Into the unknown. As I mentioned to you when you came into the studio, this is my encore. And as long as I'm having fun, I'll keep showing up. And when I'm not, Brett will notice I'm not here, I guess.
Brett Johnson [:
Well, give me a little more heads than that, please.
Carol Ventresca [:
Okay. Maybe a day or two.
Brett Johnson [:
Yeah, that's fine. 48 hours of school.
Carol Ventresca [:
Exactly. You know, he may give you a call to be like a guest host with him sometime.
Kim Maggard [:
Well, who knows? I might like it.
Carol Ventresca [:
Yeah, exactly, exactly. So, audience, today we're going to explore this whole notion of encore career with you. But before we do all of that, let's first, first take a look at Mayor Maggard's early educational training and career. Kind of before you got on that political journey?
Kim Maggard [:
Well, my educational career, I went to Eastern Kentucky University. I got a Bachelor of Science in law enforcement and my minor was sociology. And then after that, now this was in 79, so there weren't any jobs available in 79. It was that big recession that was going on. My husband and I had just got married, so I decided I would go and turn my minor, sociology, into a teaching certificate. So I did that, and then I did substitute teaching in public schools for about a year. And during that time I had my first child as well. So that was that.
Kim Maggard [:
We had the opportunity to move to Columbus. My husband got a job with DSCC as a computer programmer and we moved for more employment, you know, opportunities. So we're here and I'm at home with two kids then, and I'm thinking, what do I really, really like to do? And I thought, I love libraries. So I went back to school. As you can tell, I love school and I love education. So I went back to school and went through the Masters of Library Science. And I started my career then at, it was called Columbus Public Library and Franklin County Public Library. And I worked in administration for approximately three years and then became pregnant with my third child.
Kim Maggard [:
So took a break, had another child, and then after that I stayed home for a while, and then I went back to the library and worked, you know, as a librarian assistant and then eventually became the manager of circulation at the Whetstone branch. Now all these job titles have since changed and been updated because that was a long time ago and the libraries have just evolved so much since that time. But. But I really, really enjoyed what I did. And then an opportunity came about for a kind of a political career. I was already, at that time when I was working at the library. I had already been elected to the Board of Education. And we can get into that a little bit later about how that propelled me.
Kim Maggard [:
And that was really my first step into the political arena and got my juices flowing there.
Brett Johnson [:
It seems like there's a couple of skill sets that the library may have missed. So you're a cop.
Carol Ventresca [:
Overdue books, they could have made a fortune.
Brett Johnson [:
I made a fortune, yeah.
Carol Ventresca [:
But as also a sociology degreed person, it is absolutely a lesson in you can take a social science major and do whatever you want with it.
Kim Maggard [:
I agree with that 100%. It is just there's so much opportunity there, and you just have to be open to those opportunities and be aware when they come your way.
Carol Ventresca [:
Right. You know, parents, when I was working at Ohio State and doing career Counseling parents would go, I don't want my kid to have a sociology degree. You know, they'll never find a job. And I'm like, are you kidding? Other than the fact they can't be an accountant or an engineer or an architect, they can do anything they want. And the skill set is so much stronger in social sciences than it is in a lot of other areas.
Kim Maggard [:
What that degree does, it teaches you to be adaptable and to think outside the box. And it also has you making sure that you understand the different arenas where people are coming from and not to judge those arenas at first glance.
Carol Ventresca [:
Exactly. An absolute career path to politics without being a political science major.
Brett Johnson [:
Yeah, that's true.
Carol Ventresca [:
It really is so wonderful. That's great.
Brett Johnson [:
Well, your background's. I don't even know what the word. I'm trying to. I had it and I lost it. But it's that we never. I mean, Carol may have known you a little bit more than I did, potentially, because she was in Whitehall all the time, every day, where I was just serving on the board and such. Your background before you got into the political arena is really interesting. I love this.
Brett Johnson [:
So let's get you pulled into that mayor position. What pulled you into that?
Kim Maggard [:
Well, we'll start back where I got on the Board of Education. I was very involved in the schools then I was PTA president, all this other stuff. So there was a levy that had come up, and the levy had been defeated two times. And then third time, I decided I would get involved. And I'll tell you, that was the stepping stone. We went out and worked really hard, did door to door, and it was very contentious. But I thrived. I thrived.
Kim Maggard [:
And we had a group of people that were so dedicated, and we said, we're going to win at this time.
Carol Ventresca [:
And.
Kim Maggard [:
And the euphoria of winning that levy and knowing that we were going to have enough money for years and years and years to come for our kids in the school district to get the things that they so truly needed was exhilarating. And so I said, wow, if there's a Board of education seat coming up, I hope that I would be considered. We had somebody step off the Board of Education approximately a year and a half later, I applied for that. And of course, the first question they ask is, this term is up in a year. Would you say that you would run again? And I said, yes. So that's what happened. And I was on the Board of Education for six and a half years while I was also working at the library. And I was approached to run for city auditor for the city of Whitehall.
Kim Maggard [:
And so I thought about it, and also at that time, there was a gentleman, the current auditor then, who said, I want to move to Florida. I want to retire. And his term was not up, so I was appointed to that term. I had already taken out nominating petitions to run, so I was selected to be the auditor after the gentleman moved to Florida. And it really gave me a leg in. In that I could see the books, I could see exactly what was going on. And guess what? I was good at it.
Carol Ventresca [:
Even better.
Kim Maggard [:
I mean, it was just so easy for me to understand that. And I think that came from my statistical background, just from knowing how libraries work and knowing where to go get information and things like that. And it worked well for me. And I really, really loved being the city auditor. And I did win that election. I ran against an incumbent city council member who had been on city council for a long time. It was a close race, but I won. So.
Kim Maggard [:
And the thing about politics, it's important to have mentors, people who are already in politics who believe in you and believe that you could do the job. And I had that. And at that time, it was mayor John Wolf, and there was many people on city council who also believed in my efforts. So that helped as well. It's important to have around you people who will support you and understand what your vision is. And my vision at that time, when I first got into city politics, was let's have transparent books available. Let's make sure that we have a good monthly report to council every month, letting them know if things are starting to go down, what's going up, and then let that be broadcast to the citizens. So basically, that's what that was.
Kim Maggard [:
And I had tightened up some things in the office a little bit more. So that's what I did. So that's kind of was my stepping stone into city politics. It started at the school board level and basically more at the volunteer level and got me into that.
Carol Ventresca [:
Do you know when people talk about successful political paths, oftentimes they will say, well, it's really important for individuals to start sort of at the bottom. And I don't mean bottom in that it's lesser, but as opposed to these guys who walk in off the street never having done anything in government and think they can run everything. You learn so much in those smaller positions as you work your way towards another goal. And it doesn't have to be up. It could be across, however. But when I was working for the state, oftentimes you would hear, you gotta get the dog catchers elected first. And that's really how it gets started. And you move people up the line.
Carol Ventresca [:
Being in politics is amazing. And I wish everybody could participate.
Kim Maggard [:
I wish they could too, because it's not as easy as it looks.
Carol Ventresca [:
Oh, no, not by any stretch of the imagination. So political careers are often measured by tangibles like budgets being met and not going into debt, buildings being built. But in reality, a political career is really most successful when an individual, to me, is a true leader. How do you define leadership and what do true leaders really provide their constituents?
Kim Maggard [:
I think true leadership means having a vision and being able to communicate that vision of what can be better for your community or for the people you serve. They have to know that they can believe in you and in your government. They have to realize that you're there to really serve them. And when they become trusting of you, you have to remember that they're always your boss. And yes, there will be some who will always be naysayers. There always will be. But the point is still you have to listen to those naysayers because they may have something that you're missing. So don't try to turn them off.
Kim Maggard [:
Try to focus on some of the things that they're saying and if it rings that there's a ring to you and say, yeah, maybe we can work on that. So it's having a vision of what can be better and then communicating that vision in an effective way, whether it's through annual guides or it's going to places where they go, or making sure that you have the kind of festivals that, that they would enjoy and things that will just make their lives better. Will new roads make their lives better? I say, hell yes, definitely. Will housing upgrade programs help your citizens? And we did a number of those where we would say, we can do a fix up. If you pay 5,000, we'll match that 5,000, you can get a new roof. Here's the things that all you can do with that money.
Carol Ventresca [:
And let me just say one of the volunteers at Employment for Seniors, that's how we became so aware of what was going on in Whitehall, because she was able to take advantage of all of those things year after year. Got new windows and new electric boxes and all those kinds. And in a community of where people were just barely able to hold onto their homes, that was needed.
Kim Maggard [:
Yes, and we wanted them to hold onto their homes because we know that was right when the wave started happening where you had these outside investors that would come in and buy up these homes. We want wanted our residents to be homeowners because we know that the real value is in their home, your income. You can have something that's yours, and you can get value from that later. And also it helps to raise your children that way to say, this is what can happen to you and we can do it. If I can do it, you can do it. So we wanted to make sure that people had safe homes to live in, and they can be proud of those homes, and not only for them, but as Whitehall for a community, that was very important to us. And you have to listen to your citizens, and you have to listen to what they need and they want. You can't fix everything, but there are some things that you can do.
Brett Johnson [:
Yeah. So holding an office has a ton of challenges from financial need, housing, transportation, just a little bit what we talked there. So what challenges did you face that were the most difficult when you're holding office? And what were the most energizing? Maybe they're one and the same.
Kim Maggard [:
Well, the most difficult was Covid. Now, this was at the beginning of my third term. That was absolutely the most difficult because all of a sudden, things shut down. They sent DSC employees home to work, which we were very much afraid of, because in Ohio, municipalities get their income tax from where people work, not where they live, but where they work. So for a while, it was okay that they still paid their taxes to Whitehall. But then during that second year where they were still letting people work from home, that money went away. And so that was a big, big loss of income for Whitehall. So that was definitely challenging.
Kim Maggard [:
Some other things that were challenging was the opioid crisis. It took a lot of our young people and our young adults. And I will say that our police chief was not hesitant in saying, we're going to get some Narcan out there. So we had community meetings, and we worked with the health department. We also worked with some churches in handing out Narcan. And we made sure that every household had two at a time if they wanted it so. So that they could help anybody that was having an overdose. That was very, very challenging during that time.
Kim Maggard [:
Also during the first year of COVID when Columbus had their unrest downtown, we were certainly concerned regarding is this going to go out into the suburbs as well, and how are we going to deal with that? So there was a man in our community, his name was Clint Elmore. He's a black man, and he had lots of experience dealing with black constituents. And he knew exactly what we needed. He Went over to the police department, offered his services and was able to give some police officers training. And then there was a march that we knew was going to happen all the way from past Reynoldsburg. They were going to come down Main Street. So when they got into Whitehall, our police officers actually escorted them into the next city to let them know that they were safe. We protected their right to use their voice and.
Kim Maggard [:
And to make sure that they were free to state their opinion. And we just escorted there. There were no incidents. So those are some of the things that we. We try to do. We tried to uphold freedoms during that time and tried to make it as safe as possible. Some people still didn't like that. It's just the way it was.
Kim Maggard [:
But we felt like we did a good job and that was really a trying time, just trying to communicate with employees who weren't coming into work. We still had some employees that were in City hall, not everybody. We had to lay some off during that time. And that was difficult because some of those employees were friends. I'd become friends with them as you have a small workforce place that you work with. And it was hard and very trying for those employees. So that was difficult.
Brett Johnson [:
It's interesting that the challenges that you name were outside coming in, not internal. True, of course there were, of course, but the ones that you note or the ones you had, kind of unexpected came from the outside. It had to be. They had to protect Whitehall.
Carol Ventresca [:
And that's really been the issue that Whitehall has had as a community. It has been evaluated based on what's going on around it, not what's going on in the city itself.
Kim Maggard [:
You know, you're absolutely right. The city of Whitehall is just. We're small, we're five square miles, but two square miles of that is dscc. So basically, you know, what we cover is three square miles. And we have to worry about everything that's around us. And that gets difficult at times. So just trying to be aware of that and always trying to make sure that our fire and police are patrolling and trying to keep our ears open hasn't always been easy. But it can be done.
Kim Maggard [:
It can absolutely be done. And it's important that we train our residents as well to be aware and not to be afraid to contact the city regarding any of their concerns. They felt welcome coming to the city with their concerns and how we could help.
Carol Ventresca [:
We really do have to do a shout out to Whitehall's fire and police units. Employment for seniors used to run a 5k through the community and every year they'd look at me like I was crazy. But they would, you know, back off and help us out and make sure that our runners were safe going through the neighborhood and that the residents who were a little upset because we had blocked their street for a few minutes, but so a shout out to them. The other thing too, with the fire and police was my first experience really in working with Whitehall as an entity was the night out programs, when our buddy Zach Woodruff strong armed me into being in Whitehall till, you know, midnight to do the night out. And we had a great time. You know, I'd bring staff and volunteers with me and we had a good time. So. So hi to Zach, who's doing a great job at Columbus State right now.
Kim Maggard [:
He sure is.
Carol Ventresca [:
He's a good guy. He is also a model for political pathways and so good for him. But I wanted to step back with something that you started with on the payroll tax issue. I don't think folks realize when economic development programs are created to bring new companies in, a whole lot of it is based on the payroll coming into the city or the county or the township or whatever. And that is an incredible amount of money. People don't realize how that influx of income tax payroll makes such a difference.
Kim Maggard [:
That is absolutely correct. And that's why cities are always focused on development, because that's really what brings in the money. Real estate values will go up on those parcels. You'll have more people working in your cities, paying income tax to your cities. And I know residents, longtime residents especially, don't really understand the value of that development. They just say, oh, there's going to be more cars and there's going to be more traffic and they're going to tear up our streets more.
Carol Ventresca [:
Or bring in the riff raff.
Kim Maggard [:
Yes, I have heard that as well. But the real thing is that is taking a burden off of them in order to pay for police and fire, which are an exorbitant amount from the budget that helps pay for those services that they receive.
Carol Ventresca [:
Right. And also brings job opportunities for the residents.
Kim Maggard [:
Exactly, exactly.
Carol Ventresca [:
So, yeah. So this is where the end of this discussion is going to go back to. Eventually we're going to talk about what do people need to know about politics. So that was probably one of our first lessons. You've already mentioned some situations that were profound for you. Can you think of some others that you wanted to talk to us about and tell us how that changed you and what you learned about yourself from these instances?
Kim Maggard [:
That's kind of a hard question. But what I've Learned about myself is that home and having a hometown is really important to people. And even if they've only lived in that town for a year or two, they consider that their hometown and having a safe place that people feel good about can make that attitude so much better and make a home life so much better. So I think people kind of forget about those aspects of living somewhere and feeling comfortable and feeling safe. And feeling safe is very important. Also, Whitehall is very, very diverse. Very diverse. When I first moved there in 81, there was probably the biggest diversity were Asian and Russian.
Kim Maggard [:
And now it's approximately, I would say, 45% Caucasian, with the other majority being black and Hispanic. So it has changed quite a bit in the last 45, you know, years or so. And there's still a lot of people living there who've lived there longer than me. And they say, well, it's changed. Everything changes. You've got to get used to that. Everything changes. Yesterday is not the same as today.
Kim Maggard [:
And yeah, it upsets us. And I think it's. The more that we grow older, the more change will upset us. So that's difficult with people.
Carol Ventresca [:
For our audience we keep talking about, I say dcsc, dscc. Dscc. So it's the Defense Construction Supply Center. That's the old name, which is a federal compound, basically, in Whitehall. And Whitehall, as a bedroom suburban community, really got going because of all the people working at this. My parents used to call it the depot. The Supply depot, exactly. Which is just south of the Columbus airport.
Carol Ventresca [:
So that compound has had a significant impact on Whitehall from the very beginning. I think the difference now is that the composition of people working there is different. And because of the ability of the easiness of transportation, which wasn't around in the 50s, 60s and 70s in Columbus, plus that notion of working remotely that has impacted Whitehall in that people who work at the compound don't necessarily live close by. It used to be where you literally could walk to work.
Kim Maggard [:
Exactly, yeah. People don't understand that those taxes are there to support Whitehall. And when they don't work there, on the days that they don't work there, that income tax is paid to either Columbus or whatever city. Or they could live in a township that doesn't even have income tax, even into another county. Yes.
Carol Ventresca [:
Licking county is not that far.
Kim Maggard [:
Exactly. So, yeah, there's that also. It's changed quite a bit in that some of the functions at DSCC have changed somewhat. Their biggest functions are still, of course, hierarchy, federal employees, and also the payroll. Payroll is the big issue There, they pay all federal employees there. So they have to make sure that they have competent, upgraded systems to pay those employees. And they also have to have recreation facilities for those employees either before or after work. So there's always something, it seems like going on there and I'm happy to say that, that it looks like a lot of that workforce has returned.
Kim Maggard [:
And it started returning, I think all of them for the most part, after I left office. So Covid kind of stretched out. And then in 2024 they started making them all come back to work, which was very good for Whitehall because lots of times even though DSCC has their own medical services and ambulances and things like that, we would still be able to help. And also they help us because they have a ladder fire truck which we don't have.
Carol Ventresca [:
Interesting.
Kim Maggard [:
Yeah. Because they're so expensive. So when we needed a ladder truck we could call them and they would come and help. And now that we do have one five story apartment building that was just built in Whitehall, it's great because we know we can depend upon that and that's very important.
Brett Johnson [:
So could you provide our listeners Ohioans a few tips on what you would tell them that they should know or understand about the political process, especially from your view inside out. Most of us, 95% of us, probably even higher percentage are outside looking in, totally don't get what's behind the curtain.
Carol Ventresca [:
There's a lot behind those curtains.
Kim Maggard [:
There is. It's not easy, number one. And it's not easy because plans have to be made years in advance. And you may hear of a development happening or that we're getting. We've been approved for new roads or new infrastructure. Know that that money for roads and infrastructure usually comes from the state. The state makes up their budget approximately two or three years ahead. And then sometimes those funds are frozen until maybe four, five or six years.
Kim Maggard [:
So things do not work fast when it comes to infrastructure of any kind. And then it seems like it's all happening at once as it is every day now. It just seems like there's something new happening at one time. And know that a lot of this money also comes from the federal government, comes from a different administration or whatever that has been nicely held onto. And then you can match it up with state funds and then local governments can provide a little bit. So it's like a jigsaw puzzle and it just doesn't happen at one time. It'd be great, although all this construction right now. But you gotta realize all the planning that went into the years to make that happen.
Carol Ventresca [:
And when you were saying, like with federal government, oftentimes the feds will say, well, we'll give you this million, but you have to come up with 200,000. And then the state says to Whitehall, well, but you have to come up with 50,000.
Kim Maggard [:
Exactly.
Carol Ventresca [:
And that takes a while to collect all those dollars.
Kim Maggard [:
It does. And we have to make sure that we've got the money to set aside for those projects that we have. We put them in different funds, we set them aside, and then they sit there. And then sometimes when citizens see the balance and they say, but you've got all this money, A lot of it's set aside for projects, for matching funds, and that cannot be taken out or we lose the project.
Carol Ventresca [:
Exactly. So you may. Whitehall may want to take away 50,000, but they're going to lose the million two from the feds in the state.
Kim Maggard [:
Exactly. So that's one of the things is it takes time. And you got to realize that even the mayor has to work with city council and other elected officials and county officials in order to get things done. Being the mayor doesn't mean that you can snap your fingers and something's going to happen. Now, there have been times when somebody's come to me and say, hey, we got this house and they really need a new window, but they don't have enough money. Can the city give a new window? And yes, we can do that to help that citizen, or we may have realized we messed up on a plumbing and we're flooding their yard. Yeah, that's up to us. So.
Kim Maggard [:
So there's certain things that we can and can't do. And even city budgets are a year's worth of budgets. And you may not have the money to fix something one year, so you gotta wait and make sure it's budgeted in the next year. And it's kind of like with your own personal wallet, only it's bigger. And you gotta say, yeah, I got some. A leaky basement, but I just can't fix it this year. Let's start putting money aside, and maybe in three to four years we can fix it. Same things happen with the city, just on a grander scale because of all the things that continually need to be fixed.
Kim Maggard [:
Between parks and your roads and your police department, fire department collecting taxes, you got to pay people to collect those taxes. All those things are interwoven.
Carol Ventresca [:
You know, there aren't that many political offices, so even in a community as small as Whitehall, there are only so many. There's one mayor only so Many city council folks, one auditor, one treasurer. Not everybody can be in a political position, but I would think that there were things that citizens couldn't do that not only would help their community and support local government, but also it would be providing them, it would be educating them on how government works. Like you did as a volunteer with the Board of Education. Do you have some tips for people regardless of whether it's a small community like Whitehall or a large community like Columbus?
Kim Maggard [:
Well, I would certainly say to watch the city council meetings on the city's website. I believe they are on there the day after the meeting takes place. Keep yourself updated. Unfortunately, we no longer have a community newspaper. I don't think any suburbs have a community newspaper anymore. But that was definitely a source of information. And how can we get more information out? I know every so often I would do a blurb on Facebook about what's happening, what's happening with upgrade to City Hall. That had just started when I had left and it was a mess.
Kim Maggard [:
And so just getting your face out there and telling people what they can expect in certain areas, I think that's really important. We have the ability to use our media. It needs to be done in a very. Get on the offense first instead of being behind the ball. Just get out there and just try to tell as much as possible. And still people are busy. They don't have time sometimes to go on social media. Every day, you know what, they're busy, especially if they're working two to three jobs.
Kim Maggard [:
They're just trying to get their food on the table. So. So sometimes you just got to give people a break and try to tell them again what's going on. Not everybody has the ability to sit down and try to have time to read or to go on social media, find out what's going on. And the thing about it is, how do you reach those people? I don't have an answer for that because that is the most difficult.
Carol Ventresca [:
It really is. You know, I can remember when we first were working with employment for seniors and were working with the city, how many Whitehall residents said to me, our schools look beautiful because of that levy that had gone through. And it probably took years, but I think every school was updated from those levy dollars. And just being aware of what's on the ballot is huge. Is huge. I guess if. If people don't do anything else, be aware of what's on the ballot, who's on the ballot and who is really going to do a good job of taking care of your, your house and your community.
Kim Maggard [:
Yes. I will say that those five new schools at the same time, I mean, getting that levy pass was amazing. Now, this was the second one I had worked on, and Brent Howard and I. Brent Howard was the council president at that time, and I was the auditor. We were the co chairs, and we had a massive amount of people who volunteered for that levy. And just having at least 100 people other than us out there saying the same message and getting the message across, I mean, to have people vote yes to pay more money for all the schools in the district was phenomenal. I think that was one of the best things that's ever happened to Whitehall. And I'm so proud of those schools and the way in which they're being used to the maximum potential.
Kim Maggard [:
We did eventually save one school because the rest we tore down. And we saved one school to have a Head Start center so we could actually have a head start in Whitehall because so many children need that extra boost. And I was very proud of the school board for doing that. And I want to say thank you to them for that.
Carol Ventresca [:
And you don't have to have kids to be supportive of your school system. But it. What you said was really important that they voted yes. They knew what it was about and they could hold you accountable. I voted yes. Now you are accountable to making sure it happens. That's the way government's supposed to work.
Kim Maggard [:
Yes, exactly. And I think they did a great job in doing that. And I'll never forget the opening days of each one of those schools. It was awesome.
Carol Ventresca [:
I got to visit several of them and especially the high school. They looked beautiful, and they didn't have to be. My big complaint about schools or when high schools look like little mini college campuses. You don't have to look like that.
Kim Maggard [:
To be high school. Exactly.
Carol Ventresca [:
Anyway, so we've had this great conversation here about your legacy. You've had several elected positions and the legacy that you have left and all that you were able to accomplish in your hometown and which is so important. Young people looking at going into politics today, I'm not sure I would if I was a young person. Is this a sacrifice that you want to make? How do you reflect on that, your legacy, and what advice would you give to young people on the importance of them going into politics?
Kim Maggard [:
Well, I would say if you're interested.
Brett Johnson [:
In.
Kim Maggard [:
Please know that there will always be snags. But that's in any career field. Okay? In any career field, nothing is perfect. But remember, you are the person that can help now. You'll never make it Perfect, because that's impossible. But you can do something to make it better. Just remember, it takes people. It doesn't take one person, it takes people.
Kim Maggard [:
Even when you go back and you look at some of the great presidents that we had, FDR and Abraham Lincoln, they had people who helped them. So just remember, it's a partnership. It's a partnership, and that's what's important. You find ways to make things work. And there are going to be disappointments. There's been times when I was incredibly disappointed and would go home and sometimes, yes, I would cry. But you know what? You get your butt out of bed and you go again, because that's what you have to do. You can't quit.
Kim Maggard [:
Quitters don't get anything done. It's getting up every day and making sure that you know that you can give something, whether it's just an opinion, whether you see something that somebody else hasn't seen, don't be afraid to bring that up because that may be so important to the conversation. Have confidence in yourself. You're there for a reason. If you're interested, something's pulling you in that way for a reason. Don't shut it down.
Carol Ventresca [:
And don't think you have to be jumping in feet first with no safety net and going to the nth degree. Think about how critical all of the staff are in a governmental entity to staff, to an elected official. There are a lot of roles to play.
Kim Maggard [:
Yes.
Carol Ventresca [:
I can't imagine ever being the person who would go for an elected office, but I loved working for an elected official. Yes, there's, there's, there is a role for everybody there.
Kim Maggard [:
There absolutely is. And you just gotta realize, I know when I first became city auditor, I had a great. My everybody was so helpful to me. So helpful. And that's what makes things work, is when you work as a team, teamwork, it matters. I know that's a, that's a, you know, a phrase that may be out of style, but it shouldn't be because teamwork makes things happen. Look at osu. I mean, had to bring that up.
Brett Johnson [:
Well, we've spent a lot of time looking in the rear view mirror, so let's start looking ahead. You know, you're beginning your own encore career transition. So, you know, again, small as a quick look back in your time in politics, are there particular interests that you would like to carry into your next opportunity? And we bring this up because every once in a while we do get to have the ability to talk about encore careers. And your past can't Just be put on a shelf and not affect what you do in the future. Because there are things that you loved and you want to continue to love to do, but in a different format, I guess you could say.
Kim Maggard [:
Right.
Carol Ventresca [:
Without having to get up at 8 in the morning.
Kim Maggard [:
Yes.
Carol Ventresca [:
Or be someplace at 8 in the morning.
Kim Maggard [:
Absolutely. I'll tell you, I was never so frantic. I mean, in the mornings, I was always frantic. What I'm, you know, of course I'm thinking of maybe an encore career, but I'm also thinking of volunteerism and how can I use my experience in the volunteer field as well? So. And knowing that my husband and I, we like to get away sometimes for weeks and have that time alone. And now that we can do that, I don't want to push it aside. And besides, he would kill me.
Carol Ventresca [:
But after all the years of him never seeing you.
Kim Maggard [:
Exactly. But there's so many interesting places that you have given me, Carol, to look into possible volunteer opportunities. So I'm looking into those right now. I have to tell you, I'm really drawn to food insecurity and women's educational paths and careers who may not have those opportunities that can somehow be helped. So there's different things I'm looking at. And the point is, how do you choose? How do you choose? Because there is a lot of need out there, and I just want to make sure that I can use my past experience, my knowledge of the way organizations run, and how can I use those to the best of my ability in order to lift up certain aspects of the community, and how can I do that? And so I'm exploring those ways right now.
Carol Ventresca [:
You know, when you and I were talking about you coming onto the podcast, I think I mentioned one of the things that individuals who are looking to go into their next path, into an encore career really do need to do, is to sit back and think about all they did, all of those things that we've brought out that you had experience with today. Oftentimes an older adult walks away from a job and they go, well, I didn't really do anything. You know, I don't really have any skills and nobody's gonna want me, I'm old and blah, blah, you know, all that kind of stuff. So this whole exercise, this podcast was like an exercise of how do you bring out all these, this value that you bring to another employer, to another organization, whatever that, wherever that may lead you. One of the things that we also talked about is you were very successful in your political positions in looking forward. How do you see Yourself being successful, what situation may be there for you or what outcome do you possibly see that you can help provide?
Kim Maggard [:
Coming from my early background growing up, I mean, I came from a poor family. We traveled around a lot. My dad was in the military. He was enlisted. And back in the 60s, enlisted people did not get paid much at all. A family of four children in that family, and knowing what my mom and dad did to provide for us, it wasn't always easy. So taking those experiences and bringing them into politics, I think really helped me with the Whitehall community, knowing what those needs were, but also going forward. One thing that I do do well, I think, is listen.
Kim Maggard [:
I may not. People may not think that I'm engaged because I have to listen and then go and internalize it and think on it and ruminate and then come back. And that's what I do in order to try to come up with solutions or to get conversations going. So I think those things, knowing what my leadership style is definitely collaborative. I like to give credit to people who do the job and uplift them. But I think board positions, things like that on volunteer boards may be something I'm would be interested in. But the thing about it is that leadership is defined different from each person. And my leadership style is definitely collaborative.
Kim Maggard [:
But when I had to, I could say no. I mean, certain experiences I've had in the past, you just kind of know that let's try a different path. But for the most part, it's very collaborative. Finding good people around you, knowing what an effective organization looks like is definitely important to me. And when an organization is effective, that means that you can help so many more people. And I'm looking to be a part of that and doing some research to make sure that if I go in that direction, that it's going to be something. Something that's going to be good for me as well and not just for the organization.
Brett Johnson [:
We've got listeners that are probably in the role that you are right now that they have retired or left their job or whatever the case might be, and then they're searching for that next thing. Do you have any advice for those adults who are moving into that encore career steps that they could make or things they should hold off on, even if it's just the word patience. I think you're reflecting a lot of our listeners where they are right now in their path?
Kim Maggard [:
Well, yeah, definitely patience. And get to know Carol Van Tresca.
Carol Ventresca [:
She'll tuck a leg off of you.
Kim Maggard [:
But definitely patience. And just be open. Be open to opportunities, be Open to ideas, because I feel like something will come my way that I can't say no to. I don't know when, but I know that it will come because I have faith and I have hope and I know the Columbus area and I know that I have a fit somewhere. So I think just patience, don't give up. There's definitely maybe some certain things you can do in the meantime with some organizations, volunteerism and hopefully, unfortunately, I know that some volunteerism try to confine. I was just talking to Carol about this certain days a week and things like that that you may not be able to do, but try to find one that fits you, because there's plenty out there, as I'm finding. There's plenty out there.
Carol Ventresca [:
Just as an aside to our listeners who are used to me saying we will have some resources when we post this podcast, we'll add some resources, and I'll add some resources on encore careers. It really is an important time for an individual to be contemplative and think twice about what they want to do. I did not plan to be a co host on a podcast as my encore opportunity. I was, after leaving employment for senior years, I was going to go back to work, certainly not 24 7, which I was doing for 11 years. But Brett kept calling, and so finally I listened. So, as you said, listen to what opportunities are out there and find it.
Brett Johnson [:
It wasn't the glamour. I just pestered her, apparently.
Kim Maggard [:
That's okay. Okay, Brett, all right.
Carol Ventresca [:
Exactly. I think I did say that a couple of times just to get him off the phone. But. But. But what I had done after I retired for the second time was to sit back and think about what did I enjoy doing and what did I not enjoy doing? So, you know, everybody said, well, you're really good at writing grants. And I go, yeah, Well, I hated every minute of it, and I don't plan to do it again. I don't care.
Kim Maggard [:
I hate those.
Carol Ventresca [:
You know, doesn't matter. But when I sat down and really looked at what were the things that I enjoyed doing about my job, not only at Employment for Seniors, but when I was at Ohio State and Brett was willing to let me finagle those things into the podcast, like our resources sheet, then I started really listening. So. So that. That's good. The other thing that I'm absolutely appalled. There was an article in the paper this week, I think it was in the New York Times, that there was a survey done, and employers overwhelmingly said that they felt that once a person was 58 years old. They were too old to hire.
Carol Ventresca [:
And so my next question to you, which is something you and I have talked about, is we're talking to employers out there on this podcast. What would you tell them about being open to an individual who was skilled and experienced, regardless of age?
Kim Maggard [:
If you're looking for skills and experience, please do not just push older people away. They have knowledge out there, Kazoo. They can have patience. They can wait. They know when to open their mouths, they know when to keep them shut, and they know when to approach you, to give you information that you need. That's the way I look at it. You have a gym right there. It doesn't need to be polished.
Kim Maggard [:
It doesn't need to be cut. It's right there. Put it on your finger and go. Yeah.
Carol Ventresca [:
Good, good, good. I like that. I'm gonna use that again.
Brett Johnson [:
I don't really have to add anything to that at all.
Carol Ventresca [:
Exactly.
Kim Maggard [:
Yeah.
Brett Johnson [:
You know, time's flying. As always with every episode. We just get into it, and all of a sudden, boom, we're to the end. But we always like to ask our guests, if you have any last words of wisdom. I'd like you like to add any suggestions or advice, anything maybe we didn't get to cover yet in the episode?
Kim Maggard [:
I don't think so. I think you covered it all. Wow. But I guess the last thing I would say is thank you for inviting me, because I didn't think I'd have this much fun. Seriously. I've never done this before.
Brett Johnson [:
Well, thank you. Because that is. Our goal, is to make it fun. Seriously, we do. Because otherwise we wouldn't be doing if it wasn't fun.
Kim Maggard [:
You made it so easy. And. And I will confess, and I know I'll probably confess to everybody listening to this podcast. I do have anxiety, and I know people. People go, you. Yes. And so I do have anxiety. And I was kept on looking over these questions and all this stuff, and I said, I don't know.
Kim Maggard [:
I don't know. Okay, I'm going to do it. And I always have to talk to myself. And I'm sure everybody out there talks to themselves and gives myself a pep talk, but this was actually very much fun. I'm so glad I was asked to do this. And that's a lesson in that I should go and ask people for things as well. And don't hold back. Just put it out there.
Kim Maggard [:
The worst people can say is no, and if they do, so what? Exactly. But I just want to say thank you, Carol, for asking me, and thank you Britt, for making me feel so much at home. I do appreciate it.
Carol Ventresca [:
Well, we certainly thank you for your time. I mean, you know, asking somebody to do these podcasts, it's a bit of time back and forth and our discussions and putting questions together and all of that. So we appreciate you coming. And I think that our audience knows that the individuals we bring to the table literally are folks who are not just knowledgeable, but also willing to share their knowledge. So we appreciate that. So, thanks to our expert guest, Kim Maggard, who is the former mayor of the city of Whitehall here in Central Ohio, who joined us today. Listeners, thank you for joining us. You'll find the resources we discussed in the podcast Show Notes on our website@lookingforwardourway.com we're looking forward to hearing your feedback on this or any of our podcast episodes.
