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Building Community and Navigating Crisis With Dylan Feik

Building Community and Navigating Crisis With Dylan Feik

Dylan Feik is the City Manager for the City of Monrovia, a community in Southern California. Appointed in October 2019, Dylan has extensive experience in local government, including budget and finance, labor negotiations, public works operations, and managing capital improvement projects. Prior to his role in Monrovia, Dylan served as City Manager of Calistoga and held leadership roles in cities across California, Iowa, and Kansas.

YouTube video

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [02:51] Dylan Feik shares how living in Monrovia shaped his perspective as a resident and city manager
  • [07:29] Balancing work, family, and personal passions
  • [15:52] How parenthood influences Dylan’s leadership style and decision-making
  • [21:14] Lessons Dylan learned from serving in multiple cities across the US
  • [26:18] Challenges of leading Monrovia through crises like the Bobcat Fire and the pandemic
  • [31:11] Major upcoming projects for the City of Monrovia
  • [35:39] Engaging the community in planning and decision-making for public projects
  • [39:28] Dylan’s vision for Monrovia’s future
  • [44:46] Advice for those pursuing careers in public service

In this episode…

What makes a thriving community? Is it the infrastructure, the parks, or the people who call it home? In times of crisis, how do cities maintain their sense of identity while adapting to new challenges?

According to Dylan Feik, a seasoned public service leader, a thriving community is built on authenticity, accessibility, and collaboration. He emphasizes that being deeply rooted in the community through active listening and shared experiences enables leaders to make decisions that truly benefit residents. For instance, Dylan discusses the importance of engaging the public in designing Monrovia’s new parks and community spaces to foster a sense of ownership and pride among residents. This inclusive approach, combined with adaptability in times of crisis, has strengthened Monrovia’s resilience and created a blueprint for a thriving local governance.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Victor Huynh sits down with Dylan Feik, City Manager for the City of Monrovia, to discuss how he has built a culture of connection and navigated critical challenges, including the pandemic and the Bobcat Fire. Dylan shares insights on blending personal values with professional goals, his vision for Monrovia’s parks and community spaces, and how his hobbies help him stay grounded as a leader.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Related Episodes

Quotable Moments

  • “Being a city manager in a small town like Monrovia is the best job; not a day goes by that I’m not grateful.”
  • “Monrovia is the destination. This is the kind of place that someone like me wants to aspire to and wants to be at.”
  • “Balance is about deciding which balls you’re going to juggle and when not juggling all the balls at once.”
  • “Public service is the most rewarding and noble career I could have hoped for; to help people every single day is a blessing.”
  • “When I close my eyes and think about Mustangs, this is the car I see in my mind.”

Action Steps

  1. Engage with your community: This involvement fosters a deeper understanding of communal needs and strengthens relationships, demonstrating that effective leadership is rooted in genuine connection and participation.
  2. Balance professional and personal life: Applying this to your life can help manage your work-life balance more effectively, ensuring that you are present and engaged both at home and work, which leads to better decision-making and personal well-being.
  3. Continuous learning and adaptation: Embrace opportunities to learn from different situations and people, which will broaden your perspective and enhance your ability to lead effectively in a variety of contexts.
  4. Rely on and empower your team: By fostering a supportive team environment and delegating responsibilities, you not only enhance team performance but also build trust and encourage innovation.
  5. Invest in community infrastructure: Personal and organizational goals entail investing in the development of your environment, whether by enhancing workplace conditions or supporting local initiatives. Such investments can lead to long-term benefits for both you and your community.

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Video Podcast Transcript:

Victor Huynh (Host):
Welcome to The RAW Spotlight Podcast, where we feature inspiring leaders in the B2B space and share their unique stories. Let’s get started!

Hi, I’m Victor Huynh, your host. This podcast is dedicated to highlighting leaders in B2B businesses, niche markets, large-scale brands, local businesses, and public sector entities, sharing their innovative strategies and success stories.

In previous episodes, we’ve featured Josh McIntyre from McIntyre Keens on property management and the Honorable Andrew Chow from the City of Diamond Bar, co-founder of Wealthify Partners.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Ready Artwork, where we deliver tailored B2B digital marketing services to support long-term business growth. Our team specializes in SEO, digital advertising, web development, and email marketing, helping businesses unlock their potential. To learn more, visit ReadyArtwork.com.

Now, let’s dive into today’s episode. Our guest is Dylan Feik, City Manager of Monrovia.

Dylan was appointed City Manager of Monrovia in October 2019. Over the past five years, he has led the city through challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bobcat Fire, and the rebuilding of Monrovia Canyon Park after the devastating 2021 floods.

Currently, Dylan is focused on enhancing the Monrovia Public Library, renovating the Community Center, and improving Recreation Park with modern amenities.

He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Arts from Weber State University. Dylan and his wife, Kira, live in Monrovia with their children. He’s an avid mountain biker, hiker, and a classic car enthusiast, owning four Ford Mustangs and a Chevrolet pickup.

Victor: Dylan, welcome to the show! How has living and raising your family in Monrovia shaped your perspective both as a resident and a city manager?

Dylan: Thanks, Victor. It’s great to be here. Being a city manager in a town like Monrovia is truly special. I’ve been in this role for over five years now, and not a day goes by that I’m not grateful to serve this community.

Monrovia was the first place my wife and I purchased a home. We knew right away this was where we wanted to raise our family. Interestingly, we bought our home at the start of COVID-19—the very weekend open houses were shut down due to safety regulations.

Being both a resident and city manager gives me a unique perspective. When I see school pickup issues on social media, I experience them too. When I take my kids to the parks, whether for play or a ribbon-cutting ceremony, they get to see firsthand what I do.

There are, of course, conflict-of-interest laws I have to follow, but when we discuss topics like water rates, street sweeping, or city improvements, these decisions affect me just as much as any other resident. I believe that connection makes me better at my job.

Victor: That’s amazing. The fact that you chose to plant roots here says a lot.

Dylan: Absolutely. Some city managers prefer to live outside their jurisdictions to maintain some separation, but I take pride in being accessible. Whether I’m at the grocery store, a restaurant, or the gas station, people recognize me and share their concerns. It’s part of the job, and I embrace it.

Victor: I can relate! I purchased this building in 2015 and moved here a year later. There’s just something about Monrovia that feels like home.

Victor: Let’s talk hobbies. You’re passionate about mountain biking, hiking, and restoring classic cars. How do these activities help you stay balanced?

Dylan: Balance is an interesting concept. I once heard that balance isn’t juggling everything at once, but knowing which things to juggle and when. My job is 24/7—there’s always something happening in the city.

One of my favorite ways to recharge is what I call “trail inspections.” When I need a break, I grab my bike and hit the trails. It’s my way of clearing my mind while enjoying Monrovia’s natural beauty.

Classic cars are another passion. My first car, which I still own, is a 1965 Mustang—a father-son project I restored with my dad. Another favorite is a California Special Mustang that my parents owned when I was a kid. Years later, I hired a private investigator to track it down and ended up buying it back!

Victor: How has being a parent influenced your leadership style as city manager?

Dylan: Parenthood has been my greatest teacher. My kids all have unique personalities, and as a city manager, I have to take the same approach—creating fair policies but knowing when to apply flexibility.

For example, we once had a resident in a tough spot needing city assistance for a project. While we couldn’t offer financial aid, we found a creative, council-approved solution that became a template for future cases. That’s the balance of leadership—ensuring fairness while addressing individual needs.

Victor: What are your favorite trails for mountain biking?

Dylan: Lower Clamshell Trail is my go-to, but my all-time favorite is Canyon Truck Trail, which leads to White Saddle Ridge. Unfortunately, the Bobcat Fire forced its closure in 2020, and I haven’t biked it in over four years. I can’t wait for it to reopen.

Victor: You led Monrovia through COVID-19 and the Bobcat Fire. What were your biggest lessons?

Dylan: Authenticity and communication.

When COVID hit, I had only been city manager for three months. I had to make critical decisions—business closures, safety protocols, emergency responses—without having built relationships or trust yet.

That’s when we expanded the City Manager Update Newsletter—growing it from 650 subscribers to nearly 13,000. It became a lifeline for city updates.

During the Bobcat Fire, I learned the value of relying on my team. Our fire chief, police chief, assistant city manager, and city staff all stepped up. Crisis management is never a solo act—it’s a team effort.

Victor: You’re leading projects to improve the library, community center, and parks. What’s your vision for these?

Dylan: Our goal is to invest in Monrovia’s future:

  • Canyon Park: A $25M restoration after the floods, mostly funded by grants and disaster relief.
  • Library Enhancement: Creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space.
  • Satoru Tsuneishi Park: Honoring a Japanese American Monrovian with an award-winning design.
  • Community Center & Rec Park: Major renovations for modern, inclusive community spaces.

We involve residents through surveys, meetings, and direct outreach, ensuring these projects reflect community needs.

Victor: What advice would you give someone considering a career in public service?

Dylan: Public service is one of the most rewarding careers. If you want to help people, this is an incredible path. Start with an internship, get involved, and see if it’s the right fit.

Victor: Great advice! Dylan, it’s been an honor having you on the podcast. Where can people find you?

Dylan: You’ll catch me around Monrovia—probably at Blaze Pizza! If you ever need to reach me, check out MonroviaCA.gov and sign up for the City Manager Update.

Victor: Thanks, Dylan. And thanks to our listeners—subscribe for future episodes of The RAW Spotlight!