The world’s growing appetite for energy continues, and lithium‑ion batteries are at the forefront of that wave, especially when it comes to powering the gadgets and products that define modern life in North America.

Lithium‑ion batteries are everywhere: smartphones, laptops, medical devices, power tools, EVs, and the newest culprit—vapes and e‑cigarettes. Yet there is an overwhelming lack of awareness among the general public as to why proper disposal is so important.

The increasing number of resources and time dedicated to addressing these dangers has become a major theme within communities across North America. It is one of the most urgent safety issues facing society today, and frankly not enough people are talking about it.

In this episode, we hear stories from three guests who are on the front lines of these hazards every day and what they’d like to see done by the public to help address the problem. Our guests include:

• John Gorney — Public Works Director, City of Grand Rapids (Michigan)
• Scott Messier — Operations Manager, Snohomish County Public Works (Washington)
• Craig Willis — HAZMAT Captain, Special Operations, South County Fire (Snohomish County, Washington)

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, the Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA, and each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone.

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe and follow along wherever you get your favorite podcasts, rate it, review it, forward it to a friend, and don’t be shy about dropping us a note at: podcast@apwa.org - so we can hear your feedback.

Grand Rapids Public Works Department: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department

Snohomish County Washington Public Works: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/publicworks

Guide for Establishing Lithium-ion Battery Management Practices at Materials Recovery Facilities: https://nwrauat.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Guide-For-Establishing-LIB-Management-Practices-at-MRFs-9-2025.pdf

We’re diving straight into what many people are calling the most pressing challenge to the future of public works.

Workforce development is critical, and building pathways for the future leaders of this profession is the answer to these threats. This is a key takeaway from today’s debut episode of Public Works Radio, the official voice of the American Public Works Association (APWA).

In this discussion, APWA President Vic Bianes, PE, shares insights from his nearly four decades of experience in public works administration, management, project management, planning, design, fiscal management, operations-maintenance, and construction.

We’re also joined by Margaret Medellin, PE, MPA, an Associate Vice President with Hazen and Sawyer. Margaret is a strategic executive leader with a proven track record in the utility, water management, and public works sectors. She explores what it will take to ensure a healthy and robust future for public works with us.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, the Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA, and each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone.

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe and follow along wherever you get your favorite podcasts, rate it, review it, forward it to a friend, and don’t be shy about dropping us a note at: podcast@apwa.org - so we can hear your feedback.

Emerging Leaders Academy: https://www.apwa.org/education-careers/emerging-leaders-academy/

Engineering & Public Works Roadshow: https://www.infrastructureroadshow.org/

About Vic: https://www.apwa.org/person/vic-bianes-pe/

About Margaret: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-medellin/