Q&A with Alex Weatherup

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you currently do for work. 

I am an Assistant Director in the General Services Department for the City of Detroit. I run the Business Office, which is a small administrative team responsible for department-wide procurement and reporting. I am also responsible for our third-party agreements, for large City assets managed by third party vendors (ex, golf courses, marina). I also spent 3 years implementing the City's COVID-era funding from the American Rescue Plan Act ($826M).

Did you always think you wanted to be in general services? 

When I was an intern at GFOA, I was brand new to the public sector and had no real understanding of the professional landscape. I just knew I wanted to help the City of Detroit grow and prosper after its bankruptcy in 2013. I am from the Metro Detroit area and have always had an affinity for the city. I left GFOA after getting an administrative assistant position at the City of Detroit and have been here for 8 years now in a few positions, mostly around project management, capital planning and contract management.

How did the GFOA internship contribute to your career journey? What would you say you gained from the experience?

I was impressed with the access given to interns at GFOA because I met with several high-level researchers and consultants and gained serious insight from those conversations. Coincidentally, when I was an intern, the City of Detroit became the first municipality to use the Oracle Fusion ERP and one consultant had just worked with the City to implement the new system. We still use it and get more functionality from it every year.  

Has your perspective on local government changed since you were an intern? If so, how? 

I had very few preconceptions about local government before working in one. I quickly learned that the basic local government services you think of are almost always the tip of the iceberg. For example, it was no surprise to me that parks have to be mowed regularly. What I didn't realize is that we also mow grass at police precincts, administrative buildings, rec centers, and freeways and boulevards. The breadth of service usually goes unnoticed.

What early-career skills or lessons have been most valuable to you in your work today? 

I have always found it easy to meet new people and that has had outsized, positive influence on my performance and career. There is something uniquely important about meeting new people in local government. Despite the infamous "silos" of government, building human connections and bridges of communication are not only useful but critical in delivering for your citizens. 50% of the questions I get asked on a daily basis, I don't have an answer to. 100% of the time, I know someone I can call—and who will answer—to help me find the answer.

If you could go back, is there anything you would have done differently in the early stages of your career? 

I would have taken training courses on basic spreadsheet functionality. My first real experience with spreadsheets was in grad school, and I didn't feel proficient in them until years into my career. Early exposure to grid-based documents is an absolute must.

Looking ahead, where do you see yourself going next in your career?

I am fortunate to work for a large municipality so there are always opportunities for growth and new paths of development. I hope to stay with the City of Detroit and contribute to our entire portfolio of services.