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similar project and developed a senior business plan and spoke to it in front of Council and presented the
3) engaging the community­works with churches and non­profits; engage the special needs and disabled
community; had 5500 people participate at Durham
Sees himself as an outreach director; establishes engagement meetings, town hall and virtual meetings,
establishing metrics to see how the parks and to what degree they are utilized. focuses on vocational
programs for the youth. works with housing departments to develop ongoing mobile programs for kids.
Started out as a janitor in Nashville and worked his way up
5. Tell me about the riskiest or most difficult management decision you have made in recent years. What was
your thought process that led you to move forward? Would you do anything differently today?
In Miami, took a risk with the youth basketball program (5,000 participants and over 500 coaches. Many
family members were coaches. Challenges in that there were people and adults with felony records working
with the kids; he researched the issue and worked with CM. Needed to educate about the risks involved in
having people with a record in those positions. Researched a solution and hired a background firm to put
space between parks and the program, and put in a process. The Mayor was initially not happy with the
direction they were going in based on his research, but after a few meetings with the background company,
agreed to make the change. He was new when he made this change, so it took a little time to get buy in. It
was a risk as the new guy to make this change, but it was a necessary change. Would have asked for approval
to talk to mayor sooner in retrospect, but it was ok.
6. Please describe your experience in coordinating, tracking and reporting out on the implementation of
organizational goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
When it comes down to data, every city should have some type of records based data management system
for parks (quick track). Data collection is important. Ecounters is a new trend; uses this to understand how
many people are using parks and playgrounds; the data helps understand the success of the programs.
Purchased poles/panels that connect via Bluetooth to count: counts bodies, youth vs adults. Keep up with
the data and can see utilization. Barcodes: not everyone that goes to a park or program is going to fill out a
survey. Installed barcodes that you use a smartphone for. Data can be used for budgetary purposes. Use
this information to report out to Council.
7. Please describe a project in which you played a major role in creating pathways for improvement for those
in your community.
Developing trade programs for youth example; develops and produces intervention programs. There are a
significant number of incarcerated people who are looking for jobs. Partners with local universities and
school districts to provide classes for agriculture, electricians, etc. Works with counselors to offer programs
schools used to provide. Works with fire department to offer fire related and job related programs for fire
fighters. Programs to bridge for police officers so that they can continue to have a good image within the
community; involved in athletics. Works with seniors to develop programs that they enjoy and that keeps
them engaged and happy; computer literacy programs; senior games programs for fitness. Served on
committees to develop senior and youth centers. Focus on inclusion programs.
8. Please describe your experience in evaluating technology and operational procedure utilized in a City
department and your approach to implementing change, if needed.
Responded to this in an earlier question, so I did not ask it in the interest of time.
9. Please describe the roles in which you have had a relationship elected officials, and what your role was in
those examples. Can you provide an example of when you have had to research a regulatory item and
present your findings to the Council, Board, or Mayor?
One of the City's he worked at approved a $60M tax upgrade (obligation bond) his goal was to develop a
strategy on how that money would be spent per park. Worked with City Council to establish the goals
(senior rec center and senior housing), surveyed, worked with engineers, bid process, etc. In Fresno had a
outcomes. Did the benchmarking and came up with a temporary transitional plan. Building a 50,000 sq foot
senior center; working on education, literacy, fitness and wellness, having a medical center in the senior
center.
Communication, Collaboration, and Personnel Management
10. This position will interact with managers throughout the City as well as partner organizations and
individuals in the community. How do you evaluate whether your department is providing a good level of
customer service? What do you feel are some of the challenges to achieving a high level of customer
service?
Already talked about the technologies, survey, and data collection. Once he gets the data he tries to get
deeper feedback and contact information so that he can follow up. for example 2 stars on restroom, call the
person and get more information and let them know that it's going to be addressed. Puts the data on the
plan and develops action plans to then implement. posts fliers and information to encourage calling 621­
PLAY to provide feedback. Mitigates some of the calls to council. Important to write back to people when
they send in letters and responses. Builds trust in the community. Believes in having neighborhood and
community meetings; forums, youth forums. He believes in making those appearances himself to
communicate and be the face of it.
Closing
11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
It goes a long way to get in front of the community and hear them. Started as a janitor in parks and worked
his way up. Does a lot of work with intervention programs with troubled youth. High strung on really
focusing on youth and low income neighborhoods; he was that youth, and he knows how hard it is to get
the resources. Really focuses on mentoring youth and ensuring those services are there for low income
families, works a lot with the housing departments. Community outreach and enrichment director is his
focus. Athletics basketball to lacrosse experience; partnerships with Nike and others they send trainers to
work with youth and they give 30% off on merchandise and supply half of the uniforms for the kids. Has
worked with pickle ball programs for the seniors. When look at his resume, it is divers and encompasses
Cities up to 600,000 people; has been very successful in his programs and efforts. Looking for stability,
working with CM and staff that feels parks is a priority. Wants to be up there with Fire and police in
importance.
12. If out of the area – Are you willing to relocate?
Loves Sacramento, was born and raised in Alabama, has family and friends in Sacramento, wants to be there
here on out. Is there 2x's a month and loves the historical part. Would love to be there as quickly as
possible.
Overall Comments:
General Questions