From Special Ops to City Hall: Nate Dyhre's Unconventional Path to Public Service
- Catherine Huckaby
- Jun 15, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: May 27
The historic city of Mineral Wells, Texas is experiencing a quiet renaissance. New businesses are opening downtown, community clean-up efforts are transforming public spaces, and plans for the future are taking shape. Among the people leading this revitalization is Nate Dyhre, Director of Community Development, whose evolving career path from military special operations to small-town government offers valuable lessons for anyone considering public service.
What makes his story particularly compelling is how he bucked conventional career wisdom. At 38, when most professionals are settling into mid-career positions, he became an intern to break into local government. Now overseeing multiple departments including the airport, library, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, and inspections, he is helping position this former resort town for its next chapter as growth from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex continues pushing westward.
"When it comes down to it, you have this job so you can make an impact. It’s not about making the biggest deal. It's amazing what can be accomplished when it doesn't matter who gets the credit."
His story demonstrates how non-traditional paths can lead to fulfilling careers in community development and public service - fields that desperately need talented professionals willing to tackle complex challenges in communities of all sizes.
How a Military Veteran Found Purpose in Small-Town Government
Nate took an unexpected path to his leadership role in local government. Growing up in Plano, Texas during its rapid growth period, he saw firsthand how development transforms communities. Towns like Frisco, Prosper, and Celina were rural communities that have since become national leading cities. But the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks changed his direction.
"Being a junior in high school, I knew guys on my football and baseball teams at Plano West that were choosing to go to war, so it was something in the back of my mind for a few years."
After serving in a special operations unit in the military with multiple deployments and training cycles, he reached a crossroads. Despite the honor of his service, he recognized the toll it was taking on his family life.
"The quality of life is not always high in the military, mainly because of the lack of time you are at home with your family. Because I was in a special operations unit, I was constantly deployed or out doing a training course or cycle."
Breaking Stereotypes: The 38-Year-Old Intern
One of the most inspiring aspects of Nate's story is how he leveraged an internship in his late thirties to launch his career in local government. After leaving the military to pursue graduate studies at the University of Arizona, he approached the city of Mineral Wells for an internship opportunity, something typically associated with college students in their early twenties.
Challenging conventional wisdom about career transitions he shares,
"I was a 38-year-old intern. A lot of people think intern means you need to be in high school, or you need to be in college."
This willingness to begin again—with just a modest stipend—eventually led to his current leadership position. What started as organizing permits and inventorying city-owned property turned into a full-time job offer after he completed his graduate program.
"I thought I did as much as I could do for them, but they said, 'Would you be interested in a full-time job?' I know it can be a little difficult to find positions, especially for an outsider. Luckily, they wanted to hire me."
The Value of Dual Expertise: Urban Planning and Real Estate Development
His educational background gives him a unique advantage in community development. His dual master's degree in urban planning and real estate development from the University of Arizona taught him to understand two vastly different perspectives.
"When it came to urban planning, I was generally dealing with the more open-minded, liberal, type of individuals. When you're looking at real estate development, you're dealing with the opposite. The tight-knit community, capital markets, money chasing type of individuals."
This dual perspective allows him to navigate the complex interests that influence community development decisions. He values both the idealism of planners and the practicality of developers, recognizing that successful communities need elements of both approaches.
"I enjoyed being with people with different mindsets, goals and ideas. It was very interesting being in both programs."
Today, as Mineral Well’s Director of Community Development, his responsibilities span multiple departments crucial to the city's functioning and future growth. "I oversee our airport, library, parks and rec., planning and zoning, inspections and compliance, and economic development," he details.
This complex role means his days are packed with activity, something he appreciates despite the challenges.
"I have my hands busy every single day. The whole idle hands or complacency can lead to less drive, less success. So, being exhausted at the end of the day, I think that’s a good thing."
Community Engagement: More Than Just Checking Boxes
For him, community engagement is not just a box-checking exercise but the foundation of good government. He defines it as working toward three goals: transparency, customer service, and bringing the community together.
"I think it's a mixture of engaging the community in an effort to be transparent, to provide good customer service, and to essentially unify the community in what you're trying to do."
This philosophy informs initiatives like "Coffee with the City Manager," informal gatherings that create space for community members to connect with city leadership. When residents noted they could not attend morning sessions due to work obligations, the city responded by scheduling evening sessions, jokingly dubbed "Corks and Conversation."
He acknowledges the challenges of trying to please everyone, sharing stories of cleaning up homeless encampments along trails only to face criticism from a few residents.
"Sometimes there's no winning with everybody and there's nothing you can do about that. It really doesn't matter what community you're in... You're going to have people that don't like what you do, they're going to find something to complain about."
Leadership Mineral Wells
When asked about his favorite project in Mineral Wells, he immediately mentions the Leadership Mineral Wells program, a Chamber of Commerce initiative that brings together emerging community leaders. He admits,
"I attended last year's leadership class. I almost did not participate because I thought I was too busy."
Despite his initial reluctance, the experience turned out to be transformative.
Rather than pursuing a traditional "legacy project" like previous classes, his cohort focused on volunteering with local nonprofits throughout Palo Pinto County. This decision allowed them to support multiple organizations and make a broader impact.
"I came into that class thinking it was going to be an OK time, and maybe more time consuming than I wanted, but by the end of it, I was like, this was amazing. I looked forward to that last Thursday every month."
7 Essential Lessons for Aspiring Public Servants
For those thinking about careers in local government or public service, Nate
offers these practical insights:
Master a technical skill first
"You need a hard skill, whatever that may be, if that's marketing or finance or engineering."
Develop people skills too
"Outside of hard skills, you need to have some type of soft skills."
Understand the political nature of the work
"I have no interest in politics, but I still have to be out there as if I'm a politician...because in this job you have to deal with all people."
Look for compromise
"Try to find a win-win in every situation. It’s not always possible or feasible to get one, but try anyway."
Get comfortable with multitasking
"Grad school helped me out a lot because we were doing so many projects at once. That is what happens regardless of what department you are in. In public service, you're doing a lot of different things at the same time."
Show up consistently
"Be available, be open to meeting with people, be open to attending conferences, school events, downtown festivals, whatever it may be that gets you around the community."
Focus on making a difference, not getting recognition
"When it comes down to it, you have this job so you can make an impact. It’s not about making the biggest deal."
Turning Complaints into Solutions
He believes strongly that local involvement matters, especially for those quick to criticize but slow to offer solutions. He states clearly:
"If you want to change something, you have to go out there and do it. There was a time that I would notice people complaining about different things, and someone would ask them what they suggest as a solution, but most had no idea. They did not have a solution. They just had a complaint because they didn't like something."
Instead of just accepting this reality, he tries to encourage more participation.
He shares, "All you can do is look for the day when more people are willing to be a part of that 20% that step in to help. Until that happens, somebody is going to have to do it. Sometimes that someone has to be you."
Preparing Mineral Wells for Future Growth While Preserving Its Character
Looking ahead, Nate sees Mineral Wells positioned to benefit from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex's westward growth. Having grown up in Plano during its transformation from a bedroom community to a thriving city, he recognizes familiar patterns of development pushing toward smaller towns.
"That's why places like Aledo, Willow Park, Hudson Oaks, and Weatherford are currently the ones getting that first wave. And it is starting to push out west of Weatherford until it eventually arrives at our doorstep in Mineral Wells," he predicts.
Rather than trying to copy larger suburbs like Frisco, he believes Mineral Wells should embrace what makes it special while preparing intelligently for growth.
"What we want to lean on is our strengths. We want to improve our weaknesses and get to a point down the road in twenty years when we can say we’ve done the best we could with what we had available to improve this community so that future generations, whether they're in school or whatever it may be, are able to be able to be happy, successful, and in the place that people want to be."
Finding Purpose Through Public Service
Nate Dyhre’s journey from military service to municipal leadership shows that careers rarely follow a straight line. His willingness to go back to school, try an internship in his late thirties, and work his way up from entry-level positions should encourage anyone thinking about changing careers.
What stands out about his approach is his blend of optimism and practicality. He sees the potential in Mineral Wells while acknowledging the real challenges it faces. He values both planning expertise and development expertise. He welcomes community input but understands not everyone will be happy.
Most importantly, he shows a leadership style focused on making a difference rather than getting credit. As he shares,
"It's amazing what can be accomplished when it doesn't matter who gets the credit."
For people looking for meaning in their work lives, Nate's story suggests that fulfilling work often happens when personal interests align with community needs - even if that means being the oldest intern in the room.
Resources and Organizations Mentioned
City of Mineral Wells is a city in Palo Pinto and Parker Counties, Texas, with a population of 14,820 as of the 2020 census. Known for its historic mineral springs, the city is recognized for its recreational attractions like the state park and its rich military and baseball history.
Mineral Wells Economic Development Corporation (MWEDC) was established by the city to promote economic growth and prosperity throughout the community. The MWEDC is guided by a board of local business leaders and professionals who oversee economic development initiatives, administer Type B revenues, and implement strategic plans to enhance business opportunities and quality of life in Mineral Wells.
Leadership Mineral Wells is a community-focused program sponsored by First Financial Bank, designed to educate participants about local government, human services, education, and business in Mineral Wells and Palo Pinto County. Over the course of several months, participants engage in field trips, meetings with leaders, and a class project, all aimed at fostering civic engagement and leadership skills.
Rails to Trails (Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway)is a 20-mile multi-use trail that connects downtown Mineral Wells to Lake Mineral Wells State Park, following a former railroad bed. Open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders, the trail features accessible infrastructure, scenic bridges, and connects several trailheads.
Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses and economic development by providing networking opportunities, community programs, and advocacy for business interests. The Chamber also sponsors initiatives like Leadership Mineral Wells, helping to foster leadership and community involvement in the Mineral Wells area.
