Significant Accomplishments with the City of Dunedin (1984-2006)

 

1. As part of the City of Dunedin’s management team, I was involved in various aspects of:
- The Redevelopment of the downtown from a boarded up/tumbleweed street to a vibrant center of activity and charm.
- Preservation and purchase of greenspace; i.e. Weaver Park.
- Preservation of public access to the waterfront.
- Toronto Blue Jays negotiations.
- Upgrading of water, sewer, sanitation, drainage and other critical basic services.
- Neighborhood Improvement Programs
- Purchase of key properties such as the Gateway Tract (west of Clear Sky) and the former Baptist Church property (now a critical parking lot immediately east of the Living Room).

 2.  Chairperson of 1994 Police Study Committee. Provided 200+ page comprehensive report to the City Commission which led to contracting law enforcement services with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in 1995.  To date, this action has resulted in a savings of over 44 million dollars to Dunedin taxpayers.  Some of these savings were returned to citizens by reducing their tax rate approximately 25% from 1994/95 to 1998/99.

3.  As lead negotiator, successfully negotiated a three-year agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).  Assisted with various other Fire and Police negotiations.

4.  Through staffing efficiencies negotiated an additional $350,000 decrease in Sheriff contract costs for the 2005/2006 budget with minimal impact on service level.

5.  Heavily involved in the coordination of the 2005 Commission and Community Visioning Process.  This provided an opportunity for all Dunedin citizens to have input into what they wanted their community to look like. This visioning directly led to the reduction of building heights in the downtown and other important development standards.

6.  Assisted with the Emergency Operations and Management for Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.   Gained a good understanding of the County’s strengths and weaknesses as it relates to our natural disaster vulnerabilities.

7.  Chaired the Cost Reduction/Revenue Enhancement Task Force and submitted a report in January 2004.  This report highlighted cost reduction and revenue enhancements of approximately $4,370.000.

8.  Represented the City in the 2002 Pinellas Assembly process, selected to facilitate during the actual Assembly and acted as the Pinellas County Cities Representative on the Pinellas Assembly Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) Task Force.

9.  Worked with Architects Collmann & Karsky, Leisure Services and Public Works to proactively solicit citizen input, purchase the daycare property and assess the basic floor plan and design for the new, award-winning Community Center with LEED certification. Also worked with Harvard Jolly and a staff team on the new Martin Luther King Recreation Center.

10.  Provided staff assistance to the Inclusion Committee and coordinated Diversity Training for the City Commission, the Inclusion Committee and key management staff.

11.  Promoted, received Commission approval and implemented the 1998 Comprehensive Pay Study completed by DMG Maximus.

12.  Assisted with the City’s May 2002 In-House Utility Rate Report which became key base data for the outside consultant report provided by Burton and Associates.

13.  Negotiated with Time Warner and Knology cable companies for the City’s Dunedin-15 exclusive channel. Implemented the new channel and hired the City’s first Television Production Coordinator. While Interim City Manager, began improving the City’s website, planning for streaming video and video on demand.

14.  Implemented “Operation Twinkle,” a community favorite holiday decorating program.

15.  Instituted and moderated the Dunedin-15 “Roundtable” show discussing key issues effecting Dunedin to keep citizens informed.

16.  Worked as part of the management team to defeat the 2000/2001 AFSCME Union organizing effort.  The union election was soundly defeated.  This led to an even greater understanding of the importance of openness and trust between all employee levels.

17.  Led Quality Improvement and process review initiatives in various areas of the City including, Accounting, the Library and Solid Waste.

18.  Coordinated the original sidewalk connector prioritization program (99/00).  This was instituted primarily as a response to the School Board’s 2-mile walking radius for school children.

19.  Chairperson of the City’s Centennial Task Force coordinating a full year of major events and activities celebrating the City’s 100th year of Incorporation (1999).

20.  Researched and implemented a voluntary early retirement buyout program in the Solid Waste Division as a way to downsize operations (1997).

21.  Consistent history of hiring/assisting in hiring excellent high level individuals in various disciplines:  Public Works, Library Services, Volunteer Coordination, Television Production, IT, Arts/Culture, etc.

22.   Involved in all aspects of City operations over the years as a catalyst, a team player and a creative problem solver.

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SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH PINELLAS COUNTY (2006-2015)
 

As Health and Human Services Director:

In coordination with numerous community partners, implemented the Pinellas County “Medical Home” Program on October 1, 2008 to provide access to health care in the most effective manner possible to the greatest number of eligible Pinellas County citizens.  12 “Medical Homes” were located geographically around the County.
     

Recognition of the Pinellas County Health Plan (PCHP) Medical Home Program by the National  Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) as a 2010 Model Practice Award Winner in collaboration with other local supported disease case management and outreach programs administered by the Health Department.
 

Designed and implemented a comprehensive restructuring of the County’s Financial Assistance Program with annual savings of approximately $2 million.  This savings is a result of greatly enhancing the accountability within the program.
 

Heavy involvement in the goals and activities of the Pinellas County Health and Human Services Coordinating Council (HHSCC), the HHSCC Administrative Forum, and the four HHSCC Networks (Low-Income Housing, Disaster Recovery Leadership, Health/Behavioral Health, and Homeless Leadership).

As Assistant County Administrator:  

Oversaw key areas such as Public Safety Services (911 and EMS), Economic Development, Tourism, Clearwater/St. Petersburg Airport, Building and Development Review and Animal Services.
 

As Animal Services Director:  

Pinellas County Animal Services was selected as the Florida Animal Control Association’s 2014 Outstanding Agency of the Year.

 

 PROFILE OF LEADERSHIP ASSETS

• Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Science (BS-cum laude) from Kent State University.

• Associate in Risk Management Designation form the Insurance Institute of America.

• Served as Co-Chair of the Pinellas County Health and Human Services Coordinating Council’s (HHSCC) Administrative Forum.

• Former Credentialed City Manager through the International City/County Management Association.

• Graduate of Leadership Pinellas.

• Graduate of Tampa Bay Partnership CEO Direct Program.

• Strong County-wide relationships.

• Proven track record of creating community partnerships.

• Long history of resolving citizen grievances and working with citizen committees.

• Proven track record of strong leadership, objectivity, independent thinking and innovative problem solving.

• Excellent team building and interpersonal skills.

• Strong communication and presentation experience with elected officials, employees, citizen groups, business groups and miscellaneous agencies and organizations.

• Strong budget experience in the development, implementation and administration of departmental and organization-wide budgets, including internal service and enterprise funds.

• Strong bidding and contract administration experience.

• Over 22 year tenure in Dunedin, involved in all aspects of administering this full service municipality of approximately 37,000 citizens, 398 employees and an annual operating budget of $73,952,204.  

 

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