Executive Fellow | Stormwater and Floodplain Systems Modernization

The City of Centerton, Arkansas, is experiencing rapid growth, placing increasing demands on its stormwater and floodplain management systems. The FUSE Executive Fellow will support the City in modernizing these systems by strengthening internal processes, improving inter-agency coordination, and building sustainable capacity for stormwater permitting and compliance. Over two years, this fellowship will help Centerton improve service delivery, reduce risk, and embed resilient stormwater management practices that can keep pace with continued growth.

They will also participate in the floodplain management permitting process and other stormwater compliance review activities.

Fellowship Dates:
October 26, 2026 – October 22, 2027

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual salary of $95,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. This amount is not representative of market-rate salaries for the experienced professionals in our program but is intended as compensation for a year of public service.

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects.

They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Centerton is one of the fastest-growing communities in Northwest Arkansas, experiencing sustained residential and commercial development that places increasing pressure on stormwater systems and floodplain management. As the headwaters for multiple watersheds, decisions made in Centerton have downstream impacts on neighboring jurisdictions and vulnerable populations, including residents living in flood-prone areas who face heightened risks to property, safety, and affordability. Effective stormwater and floodplain management is essential to protecting life and property, maintaining eligibility for federal programs, and ensuring that growth does not disproportionately burden lower-income households, who are least able to absorb flood-related losses or insurance costs.

The City must comply with complex federal and state requirements, including FEMA floodplain regulations and Community Rating System (CRS) participation, which provide critical flood insurance discounts to residents. However, rapid growth has resulted in backlogs of permits, incomplete or fragmented records, and processes that rely heavily on institutional knowledge rather than standardized systems. These challenges increase staff workload, slow development reviews, and create a risk of compliance gaps that could undermine long-term resilience and equity outcomes.

Centerton has maintained strong floodplain management practices, achieving one of the highest CRS ratings in the state. City staff manage floodplain permits, elevation certificates, map amendments, and inspections while coordinating with developers, consultants, and state and federal agencies. The City has begun making incremental updates to stormwater and…