Tom Kennedy
Rainbow Municipal Water District (RMWD)
Fallbrook, CA USA
"Make something better than it was when you started at the job."
Career Roadmap
Tom's work combines: Government, Politics, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
St. Don Bosco Technical Institute
Bachelor's Degree
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
SDSU
Graduate Degree
Public Administration
CSUF
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a General Manager at a Municipal Water District:
Bachelor's Degree: Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Graduate Degree: Public Administration
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
First, I grew up in a large family so it helped a lot with gaining a chaotic tolerance, which helped later in life with management and juggling life.
2.
I finished high school in 3 years and headed off to college at age 17 to learn how to build rockets.
3.
After my undergrad studies, it took nearly 3 years to find a really good job due to the lack of jobs in my field. Once I got one, I worked hard and began getting regular promotions.
4.
Then I met the woman who became my wife, who instilled confidence in me that I could do even more—that is when I enrolled in graduate school for my MPA.
5.
I spent over 5 years taking MPA classes one per semester while working and starting a family.
6.
As upward mobility at one agency was looking less favorable, I sought out new opportunities. I also wanted to get out of the LA area, as I did not want to raise my kids there.
7.
I left a great public sector job to help start up a new tech-related business for a few years. It was a gamble, but I learned a lot. I actually got hired back by the agency I had left!
8.
When a GM job at a poorly-regarded agency came open, I knew I could turn it around, so I took the leap and by all accounts have accomplished my mission.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I worked through the ranks for a long time and how misplaced priorities can destroy an organization and especially how to help elected officials understand what is actually possible for the team to achieve.
How I responded:
I tried my best to keep an open mind, work collaboratively with others (even if you disagree on some things) and especially to not burn bridges. I use my now extensive network to draw support or ideas on how to achieve goals.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I've overcome challenges like financial.
When I finished my BSAE, the aerospace industry was collapsing. I had to pivot to a new line of work, but drew upon my engineering background and applied it in different ways. I then sought out experienced people to learn from.