Michael Hart is a dedicated public servant with over 17 years of experience in administration, including service as a former Mayor, EMT and combat veteran. As City Manager of La Junta, his leadership is defined by servant leadership, transparency and collaborative governance. Drawing on his diverse background, Hart brings calm in crisis, empathy in decision-making and a steadfast commitment to community welfare, ensuring that city management remains responsive, innovative and focused on building a stronger future.
My Journey into Public Administration
Public administration has been my world for over 17 years, though it wasn’t a path I ever imagined as a young adult. I began my career on the elected side of government and eventually transitioned into appointed positions, discovering along the way just how rewarding this work could be. My background in history and political science, coupled with a master’s in public administration, gave me the tools to understand the complexities of governance.
Before entering city management, I served in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman with the 82nd Airborne Division, with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Following my time in the service, I volunteered and worked as a firefighter and an EMT. Both roles shaped how I respond to pressure. In those professions, lives often depended on calmness, clarity and decisive action. That ability to remain steady under stress has become invaluable in municipal leadership.
True leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, empowering and creating space for every voice to shape the future.
When the city faces crises—whether an emergency, a public safety challenge or unexpected disruptions—the lessons from those earlier careers guide me. Taking a moment to breathe, focusing on the next step and keeping the mission clear allows both me and my team to respond with confidence.
Today, serving as City Manager of La Junta, I oversee the daily operations of the city. This includes working with 12 supervisors who lead our departments and guiding more than 140 employees. Every day brings something new, where no two challenges are alike, and that variety is one of the things I value most about this profession.
Putting Servant Leadership into Practice
Servant leadership defines my philosophy. My role is not to dictate but to support. Supervisors are trusted to run their departments, while I focus on ensuring they have the resources and encouragement needed to succeed. It is about listening, gathering perspectives and allowing space for collaboration so the best solutions emerge collectively.
This approach has shaped the culture in La Junta. We operate less as a hierarchy and more as a collaborative team, where ideas are welcomed from every level. By valuing input from those closest to the work, decisions reflect real experiences, and our strategies are stronger for it.
Making La Junta a better place to live, work and invest depends on more than one person’s vision. Progress comes from the voices of employees, residents and partners who see the city from perspectives I may not have. Those insights are essential for crafting strategies that attract new families, encourage business investment and ensure residents feel proud of their community.
This collective approach ensures growth is built together. When everyone has a seat at the table, the results are more sustainable and deeply rooted in the community’s needs.
Embracing Technology and Data
The transformation of technology over my career has been remarkable. Early on, communication in government was limited to tools like email and printed communications. Today, instant messaging, digital alerts and social media allow us to reach residents in seconds. Whether notifying the community about road closures, hydrant maintenance or emergency responses, technology ensures information is immediate and reliable.
Data also plays a powerful role. By tracking performance and feedback, we are able to identify where we excel, where improvement is needed and how to prepare for future demands. These insights help us respect taxpayer resources while continuously improving the services residents depend on.
Principles for Future Leaders
If there is one piece of advice for future city managers and public leaders, it is to be present. Show up every day ready for change, because this job rarely goes according to plan. Flexibility is essential, and what seems like the day’s priority in the morning may be overtaken by something unexpected by the afternoon.
Listening is equally important. The people who live and work in our neighborhoods are the real experts. Their experiences guide us to the issues that matter most. Transparency also matters. If the answer isn’t immediately known, it is better to admit that and promise to find out than to speculate. Leadership is not about knowing everything. It is about connecting with the right people and providing honest answers.
What keeps me committed to this work is simple: I love what I do. Public administration is not just a career but a calling. I consider the most meaningful aspects of this work to be helping people understand how their government works for them, ensuring City Hall operates with transparency and continuously strengthening trust among residents and those in leadership roles.
