How do you turn around a struggling city?
When Sheryl Sculley was recruited to serve as San Antonio’s new city manager in 2005, the organization she inherited was a disorganized mess. City infrastructure was crumbling, strong financial policies and systems were nonexistent, many executive positions were vacant, public satisfaction was low, ethical standards were weak, and public safety union salaries and benefits were outpacing revenues, crowding out other essential city services. Simply put: San Antonio was on the verge of collapse.
Greedy Bastards tells the story of Sheryl and her new team’s uphill battle to turn around San Antonio city government. She takes you behind closed doors to share the hard changes she made and the strategies she used to create mutually beneficial solutions to the city’s biggest problems.
Many of the issues Sheryl found in San Antonio are present in cities across the US. Packed with wins and losses, lessons learned, and pitfalls encountered, Greedy Bastards is a guidebook for any city official tasked with turning around a struggling city.
Order your signed hardcover copy from The Twig Book Shop at the Pearl by calling 210-826-6411.
Order ebook, paperback, and hardcover copies from Amazon.com.
Sheryl Discusses Greedy Bastards on KSAT
Former San Antonio city manager on new book, ‘Greedy Bastards’
“Trying to change the 25 year old union contracts that had been in place for a very long time was a hardball experience… I think the title reflects that.”
PRAISE from San Antonio AND INTERNATIONAL LEADERS
“Sheryl Sculley’s straightforward, no-nonsense leadership approach transformed the city of San Antonio into one of the best—if not the best—managed cities in the United States. This book is a lesson for public and private sector leaders across the country.”
“During its most critical decade in many, San Antonio and its citizens were blessed with the right leader, in the right place, at the right time. Sheryl’s courage and unbreakable will led the community through countless complex challenges. I don’t think we will fully appreciate the mark Sheryl left on our city for many years to come.”
“Sheryl’s talents in strategic thinking, collaboration, and precision execution were evident in her successful implementation of change in San Antonio. Her leadership during her tenure epitomizes what it takes to be best in class.”
“Sheryl has been a highly regarded leader within the professional city management ranks for several decades. Her experience, ethics, and courage have enabled her to tackle some of local governments biggest challenges in Phoenix and San Antonio, two of the largest council-manager cities in the United States. Sharing her vast experience in this book will certainly benefit thousands of local government professionals.”
“Sheryl Sculley’s stories of courage and grit remind us of the type of leadership that is needed in today’s world. Focused and determined to do what is right, her powerful message is an inspiration to women around the globe.”
Rivard Report: “Greedy Bastards is the best book yet on San Antonio in the 2000s.”
Net proceeds of ALL book sales will be donated to nonprofits in San Antonio.
About The AUTHOR
SHERYL SCULLEY is an award-winning city manager who is considered an authority on city management. She gained national attention for dealing with unsustainable benefits for San Antonio’s police and fire unions—and in doing so, steered the city away from a future financial crisis.
During her tenure, San Antonio achieved a AAA bond rating and invested billions of dollars into critical infrastructure updates and additions. Prior to serving in San Antonio, Sculley was the assistant city manager in Phoenix and city manager of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Sculley is a life member of the International City Management Association and a fellow in the National Academy of Public Administration. After 45 years of public service, Sculley retired from city management in 2019.
If you’d like to get in touch, contact her at sheryl@greedybastardsbook.com.