Resume

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Summary of Qualifications

Results-oriented strategic thinker with extensive experience in economic development, finance, law, transportation, and organizational development. Politically astute, thrives in fast-paced environment, grounded, and skillful at seizing opportunities, with a passion for municipal government service. Creative problem solver, consensus builder, motivational leader, and mentor with strong diplomatic, speaking, problem solving, team building, negotiation, and facilitation skills.

Professional Experience

INTERIM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BAY AREA AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, Feb, 2023-present
As Interim Chief Operations Officer for the Bay Area AQMD assist the Executive Officer during his period of transition. Oversee Finance, Administration, Communications, and External Affairs and the implementation of a corrective action plan following a management audit.

INTERIM EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BAY AREA AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, May,2022-Feb, 2023
As Chief Executive Officer for the Bar Area Air Quality Management District, reports to 24 locally appointed elected officials representing 9 Bay Are counties. The District is a public agency that regulates stationary sources of air pollution and implements grants and other programs, particularly with a focus on social equity.

PRINCIPAL, LANDERS CONSULTING, January-May 2019, March 2022-present
Specialize in organizational management, operations, strategic planning, policy development, and customer service. Work under contract or in interim assignments. Previous clients include cities of Mission Viejo, Anaheim, South Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga (Interim Director of Planning).

CITY MANAGER, CITY OF CARSON, May 2019-March 2022
As Chief Executive Officer, directed and managed all activities and operations of the City, ensuring the delivery of all public services in an efficient and effective manner. Served as Director of Disaster Preparedness. Coordinated City activities with other agencies/organizations, facilitated the development and implementation of City goals and objectives, implemented policy decisions made by the City Council, and provided highly complex administrative support to the City Council.

  • ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
    • Changed the City’s financial trajectory through ongoing meticulous diligence in reviewing
      internal policies, conducting ongoing user fee studies, and making new revenue assumptions. Structural deficit eliminated for the first time in over a decade while improving services.
    • Improved City’s financial structure with pension obligation bond ($47M savings over 20 years), sales tax increase, rating upgrade to AA-, Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District formation.
    • Established first ever for Carson a budget allocation to develop a citywide professional development program focused on Diversity, Inclusion and Unconscious Bias; Ethics; Harassment, Discrimination & Anti-Bullying; Performance Management; and Customer Service.
    • Updated”city’s technology by bringing WIFI to City Hall, the Community Center, and our parks, upgrading the audio-visual system in City Hall, initiating offsite network backup and server upgrades, creating online registration for City events and programs, increasing social media.
    • Redirected planning activities to better align the approval of private development projects with the City Council’s vision of the future of Carson.

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, CITY OF IRVINE, June 2006 -January 2019
Directed day-to-day operations of this city with a population of 275,000, an operating budget of $200 million and full-time staff equivalent of 1200. Led large-scale capital projects, instituted operational improvements, and maximized staff coordination. Oversaw all operations, administrative and financial departments. Assistant Executive Director for the Successor Agency to the Irvine Redevelopment Agency. Interim CEO to Orange County Great Park from 2007 to 2008.

  • ACCOMPLISHMENTS
    • Led negotiations with State Department of Finance to win $292 million and 35 acres of well ­situated land in settlement of post-redevelopment disputes.
    • Led a team of City staff in complex negotiations with private developer that paved the way for the Great Park Neighborhood mixed-use development on the former Marine Base.
    • Developed a fiscal sustainability strategy during great recession, including organizational
      changes and a 10% staff reduction without layoffs, increasing cost effectiveness and efficiency.
    • Fostered civic engagement and modernized services by using social media and enhancing on- line access to businesses and residents for services, permits and plan check.

ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAN JOSE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, 2002 – 2006
Managed the day-to-day activities of California’s then largest redevelopment agency, a 150-person organization with a $1 billion, 5-year Capital Improvement Program. Working closely with Agency Board (City Council), led implementation of Agency programs and bond financing, prepared and managed Agency budget, and coordinated Agency legislative program. Directed finance, administration and human resources, downtown development, program management, communications, and community and government relations.

  • ACCOMPLISHMENTS
    • Led coalition of Silicon Valley business community and developers to identify and advance shared economic goals and led negotiations to bring private investment into the community and spur economic development.
    • Created a Transportation Roundtable that improved decision-making process between the regional transportation authority, the Redevelopment Agency and the City of San Jose.
    • Led Redevelopment Agency initiative to trim capital/operating budgets during years of reduced revenue, while maintaining Agency core services and increasing overall efficiency.

PRINCIPAL, LANDERS CONSUL TING (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA), 2000 -2002
Founded a consulting practice specializing in organizational management, operations, strategic planning and policy development, and customer service. Promoted team building approaches, positive media, staff development, and streamlined operations. Primary clients included the cities of Anaheim and South Pasadena.

DEPUTY CEO, LA COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, 1998-2000
Oversaw regional transportation planning, legislative activities, employee services, labor relations, government and community relations, media, and marketing for this 8K person Authority with a $600M annual capital budget and a $300M operating budget.

  • ACCOMPLISHMENTS
    • Led consensus building process that identified transit options to improve mobility in the county.
    • Improved fiscal sustainability by trimming $20M of expenses from the operating budget and flattening the organization by funding only core business activities.
    • Developed integrated approach to regional transportation planning by consolidating planning functions, achieving increased efficiencies and improved customer service.

Professional Experience in NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, NJ DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Oversaw regional transportation planning, legislative activities, employee services, labor relations, government and community relations, media, and marketing for this 8K person Authority with a $600M annual capital budget and a $300M operating budget.

COUNSEL FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, ORANGE & ROCKLAND UTILITIES
Served as company spokesperson with New York Governor’s Office, State legislature and key governmental agencies. Led company’s state legislative agenda and worked on key regulatory issues. Parent company is Consolidated Edison.

CITY OF NEW YORK
Worked in two mayoral administrations in positions of increasing responsibility. Served both mayors as Special Advisor for Transportation & Air Quality.

  • Special Advisor, NYC Mayors Transportation & Air Quality Office
  • General Counsel & Deputy Commissioner, NYC Dept of Transportation
  • Deputy Director & Counsel, NYC Mayor’s Transportation Office

STATE OF NEW YORK
Worked in two gubernatorial administrations in positions of increasing responsibility. Served both governors as Transportation Program Associate.

  • Transportation Program Associate, Office of the NYS Governor
  • Assistant Counsel, NYS Department of Transportation

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS AND EDUCATION

  • Harvard Kennedy School Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government
  • ICMA Credentialed City Manager
  • Environmental Management Institute, University of Southern California
  • Admitted to US Supreme Court, US District Court for Northern District of NY, and New York Bar
  • J.D., Albany Law School, Union University in New York
  • B.S.,. State University of NY at Stony Brook (double major in computer science and psychology)

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND RECOGNITION