Deborah L. Foote 3254 Newberry Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32311 251-533-1798 deborahlfoote@gmail.com December 13, 2018 Office of the City Treasurer-Clerk Box A-31 300 S. Adams St. Tallahassee, FL 32301 Re: Commission Vacancy To the City Commissioners: This letter is to request your consideration of my candidacy for the City Commission vacancy. I am a former elected official and consultant whose services include local and state government affairs. I am quite familiar with local government operations and have the capacity to hit the ground running. My consulting work would not conflict with serving as commissioner as none are connected to the City of Tallahassee. Additionally, I would not run for election after the interim term is completed, thus allowing for an open election for the seat. I am a seasoned professional with a Master in Public Administration who has extensive experience as a leader of and private consultant to non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, and state agencies. Working my way up from mid-level positions, I have led both small and large organizations in a number of fields including health and human services, animal welfare, and emergency management. My consulting clients are even broader and include education and the environment. My extensive public policy experience includes engaging in government affairs in nine states. I have a long-standing history working with diverse organizations. Through my work, I have had opportunities to support organizations with missions and services that were new to me. I am a quick study who can grasp complex concepts. I am at ease with all people, from the leaders of an organization to those in need of assistance. Known for my honesty and integrity, I quickly make connections with those I am engaged with. I understand the complexities of governing. The interim Commissioner will not only need to bring a strong working knowledge of organizational management, but the dexterity to operate in an ever-changing political environment and in a highly collaborative fashion. It will require a leader who has had a broad range of experiences that can introduce new ways of thinking and operating to enhance the work of the City Commission. I am confident that I can bring those skills to you and have a strong desire to serve. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Deborah L. Foote
DEBORAH LYNN FOOTE 3254 Newberry Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32311 C: 251-533-1798 deborahlfoote@gmail.com PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 02/2000 to Current 03/2014 to 10/2016 09/2012 to 03/2014 02/2009 to 08/2012 Owner/Manager Cypress Tree Consulting, LLC - Tallahassee, FL Consulting services provided to private and public organizations, professional associations, and government agencies to expand their capacity to: secure funding through grant writing or other opportunities; handle temporary increases in workload; initiate, fund and manage new projects; provide interim management support during critical position vacancies; handle legislative or other governmental issues; address quality or process issues; conduct external reviews; respond to new business opportunities; and train and educate personnel, clients and families. Client list available upon request. Executive Director Oral Health Colorado - Denver, CO Provided leadership to assure organization met its objectives to develop and promote strategies that achieve optimal oral health for all Coloradans. Responsible for assuring proper governance of organization, internal and external communications, oversight of coalition development, initiatives and communications, fiscal oversight and advocacy. activities. State Legislative Director American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - New York, NY Carried out state legislative strategies consistent with ASPCA's philosophy and strategic goals and promoted and implemented tactics to achieve legislative goals in CO, TX, AZ, NM, UT and WY. Specifically: Passed animal protection legislation and defeated bills that would negatively impact animals through identification of opportunities, development of strategic plan, building of broad coalitions and the development of a grassroots activist network in each state to support legislative efforts. Oversaw activities of contract lobbyists. Engaged stakeholders in developing and advocating for public policy solutions that would positively impact animals. Fulfilled public speaking engagement requests and conducted educational sessions on topics that complemented legislative efforts. Built relationships with key public officials to facilitate meeting legislative objectives. Director of Community Initiatives PetAid Colorado - Denver, CO Provided vision, leadership and strategic planning for foundation arm of state veterinary association in the following areas: Disaster Services which efforts are related to companion animal response during emergency events. Facilitated local community planning for prompt and effective emergency response. Coordinated Veterinary
Medical Reserve Corps recruitment, training and deployment. Responsible for companion animal issues in State Emergency Operations Center during disasters. The Home Outreach program which provided in-home visits by veterinary teams to meet basic health services to pets whose owners who have personal barriers to receiving care in a veterinary clinic setting. Care Grants which provided funds to supplement a veterinarian's charitable care for animals of disadvantaged populations in order to keep the human-animal bond intact by resolving medical issues that will restore the animal's health. 01/2008 to 01/2009 Executive Director Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved - Denver, CO Coordinated activities to assure access to health care for the medically underserved in Colorado. Oversaw KidzBlitz initiative to enroll eligible children into Medicaid and CHP and the development of best practice document. Led All Kids Covered, a statewide initiative to assure Colorado's children have health insurance. Managed annual conference. Directed public policy activities. Assured sustainability of coalition through grant-writing, fundraising and cost efficient use of resources. 02/2007 to 02/2009 Oral Health Awareness Colorado - Denver, CO Managing Director (2007-2008) Provided leadership to improve access to oral health throughout Colorado. Assisted in the establishment and implementation of program goals and objectives. Developed policies and procedures. Conducted research. Prepared reports and communications for membership. Oversight of legislative agenda. Recruitment and retention of coalition members. Public Affairs Director (2008-2009) Developed and implemented public policy agenda to improve access to oral health care in Colorado by coordinating activities of registered lobbyist. Responded to issues impacting access to oral health. Educated policymakers. Collaborated with community organizations to promote oral health. 01/2007 to 01/2009 Special Project Administrator United Ways of Alabama - Montgomery, AL Coordinated emotional recovery efforts to grantees throughout the state of Alabama. Provided technical assistance to United Ways on initiative. Assisted with development and issuance of requests for proposals. Oversaw grant process to assure adherence to requirements. Provided technical assistance to grantees to enhance capacity, resources
and skills to carry out locally developed project objectives. Prepared reports to United Ways and funding organizations. 01/2006 to 01/2007 Community Recovery Supervisor/Government Affairs Liaison American Red Cross Hurricane Recovery Program - AL Provided technical assistance and financial support to county-based long-term recovery initiatives throughout Alabama. Facilitated client-driven recovery through wise use of donor dollars. Developed partnerships and provided education on Red Cross initiatives with community agencies, elected officials, Federal/State agencies and grassroots organizations engaged in recovery efforts. 01/2005 to 01/2006 Vice President of Operations Independent Services Network, Inc. - Manchester, NH Oversaw operations of community-based program supporting 80 adults and children with emotional and developmental disabilities. Trained personnel. Supervised program managers. Developed new funding sources. Coordinated community and client relations. Interfaced with government entities. Managed program development and expansion. Marketed services to clients, families and funders. 01/2002 to 01/2004 Administrator Lakeview NeuroRehabilitation, Inc. - Effingham Falls, NH Managed overall operations of intermediate care facility and 5 assisted living facilities for 135 adults and children with neurological and behavioral disorders. Directed human resources, quality assurance, training and education, government affairs, facility operations, dietary services, housekeeping and information technology to support clinical programming. Developed new sources of funding to diversify revenue stream thus lowering financial risk to organization. 02/1998 to 02/2000 Director of Programs and Operations Division of Elderly and Adult Services - Concord, NH Oversaw operations of State agency responsible for Medicaid nursing home and in-home supports for elders and adults with physical disabilities, including supervision of program managers. Secured grant funding and managed implementation of pilot projects expanding in-home services. Drafted legislation, and lobbied on behalf of agency initiatives including Medicaid-funded assisted living services, client-directed supports and congregate services initiative. 01/1995 to 01/1998 Program Coordinator Riverbend Community Mental Health, Inc. - Concord, NH Coordinated non-clinical services including vocational, art, transportation and benefits management for adults with profound psychiatric disabilities. Complemented standardized programming through procurement of grant
funding for special initiatives. 02/1994 to 02/1995 Manager of Supported Employment Developmental Services of Strafford County - Dover, NH EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Provided direct services and department management in support of individuals with developmental disabilities seeking employment in community settings. Master of Public Administration University of New Hampshire - Durham, NH Bachelor of Arts: Sociology Bowdoin College - Brunswick, ME Sociology Graduated cum laude Harvard University - Cambridge, MA Leadership Development Seminar, John F. Kennedy School of Government The Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School Nonprofit Consultants Connection- Member (2016-), Board Member (2017-) Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative- Advocacy Committee (2016-) Wyoming Untrapped Board of Directors- Vice President (2013-2014) Boulder County Colorado Parks and Open Space Advisory Council- Member (2012-2015) American Humane, Emergency Management Advisory Council- Member (2010-2012) Colorado Community Preparedness Advisory Council- Member (2009-2012) Colorado Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster- Member (2009-2012); Chair (2011-2012) National Alliance of State Animal and Agriculture Emergency Programs- Best Practice Working Group Co-Chair (2010-2012) Colorado Institute for Leadership Training - Class Member (2009) Mobile County Long-Term Recovery Committee (AL)- Secretary (2007) Joint Civilian Orientation Conference- Participant, US Pacific Command (2007) Lakes Region Humane Society (NH)- Board Member (2003-2004) Cross Cultural Solutions- Educational Exchange to Cuba (2001) NH Statewide Independent Living Council- Member (1999-2000) NH Senior Legal Hotline- Advisory Board Member (1998-2000) NH Association for the Blind- Board of Directors (1997-1998) Office of the Consumer Advocate NH State Public Utility Commission- Advisory Board (1997-1999); Chairman (1998-1999) American Council of Young Political Leaders- Delegate to Saudi Arabia and Jordan (1995); Lifetime Member University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability- Advisory Board (1995-1996) Town Conservation Commission (NH)- Town Council Appointee (1994-2000)
State Representative, New Hampshire Legislature- Resources, Recreation and Development Committee (1992-1998); Ranking member (1994-1998), Chairman of County Legislative Delegation (1997-1998), Vice Chairman (1995-1996) HONORS AND AWARDS Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado- Mary Fran Myers Scholarship (2010) Colorado Public Health Association- The Award for Legislative Excellence (2009) NH Rivers Advisory Council- Legislative Leader (1998) Association for Persons in Supported Employment- Selected Presenter- "Supported Employment for People with Disabilities" (1998) NH Business and Professional Women- Young Careerist (1991)