Heather Nick

About Heather Nick

With over 20 years in local government, I’ve led transformative work across planning, infrastructure, and public service delivery…blending strategic planning, emerging technology, and people-first leadership to shape future-ready communities. My experience spans diverse municipal operations, including Planning, Historic Preservation, MPO policy development, GIS, Permitting, and Infrastructure Services, with a focus on cross-departmental coordination, customer-centered improvements, and data-informed decision-making.Key focus areas: • Planning & Zoning – Advancing balanced growth and land use strategies that support economic vitality and community needs. • Historic Preservation – Honoring architectural heritage while supporting thoughtful reinvestment. • Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) – Guiding long-range transportation strategies through regional collaboration. • GIS & Asset Management – Using geospatial tools and analytics to enhance planning, service performance, and transparency. • Permit Center Modernization – Streamlining permitting systems to improve speed, clarity, and customer experience. • Streets & Stormwater – Prioritizing infrastructure investments that improve quality of life and long-term functionality.I also lead our city’s AI Readiness initiative, helping teams explore and implement emerging technologies to increase efficiency, improve service delivery, and better meet the needs of residents and businesses.To me, innovation in government isn’t about chasing trends…it’s about solving real problems with practical tools, smart processes, and continuous improvement. Whether modernizing systems, developing future leaders, or building more adaptive organizations, I’m focused on creating systems that deliver lasting value.If you’re working at the intersection of innovation, leadership, and public service—I’d love to connect.

Experience

1. Adjunct Professor

   University Of Texas At Tyler

   Aug 2024 — Present · US

   As an adjunct professor in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, I introduce graduate students to the theory and practice of urban and regional planning, with a focus on planning conducted by and for local governments. My course explores the foundational principles of zoning, land use, and comprehensive planning while critically examining the political, economic, legal, and ideological factors that shape urban development.Students gain a broad understanding of functional planning areas, including transportation, environmental sustainability, economic development, and urban design. The course emphasizes public engagement and policy impacts, encouraging students to analyze how planning decisions can create both opportunities and challenges for different communities. By bridging academic theory with real-world application, I equip future public service leaders with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex planning challenges and drive sustainable community growth.

Education

• University of Texas at Tyler

  BS, Sociology

  2011

• Tyler Junior College

  AAS, Information Systems Technical Support

  2002

• University of Texas at Tyler

  Master of Public Administration (MPA)

  2016

• Tyler Junior College

  AAS, Computer Aided Drafting and Design

  1999

Skills

• Historic Preservation
• Social Media
• Transportation Planning
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Microsoft Excel
• Research
• Marketing
• Geography
• Project Planning
• Arcgis
• Public Relations
• Land Use
• Urban Planning
• Public Participation
• Economic Development
• Innovation
• Web Content
• General Public
• Local Government
• Gis
• Zoning
• Esri
• Newsletters
• Urban
• System Administration
• Government
• Grant Writing
• Site Planning
• Affordable Housing
• Land Use Planning
• Comprehensive Planning
• Public Policy
• Data Analysis
• Program Management