RESUME OF GEORGE JOSEPH STRAND 415 1A, Pine Knoll Apartments E Mail Battle Creek, Michigan 49014 georgestrand96@yahoo.com (269) 924 7154 SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS I have more than twenty five years of local government experience of which more than twenty four years have been in the capacity of a City Manager or Village Manager for six different municipalities ranging in population from 1,851 to 53,364. During this period of time my employers have received state and national recognition for several significant projects. Additionally, I have served on the Michigan Municipal League Board of Directors, I am a Past President of the Michigan City Management Association (Michigan Local Government Management Association), have served as a member of the ICMA/Innovation Groups Management Practices Panel and the National Board of the Innovation Groups. I ve earned a Master of Public Administration Degree from Western Michigan University and have researched and/or been published in professional magazines on topics such as strategic planning, downtown development, land use policies, economic development, managing change within an organization and completed a National State Management Association Benchmarking Study. I am a member of the World Future Society. On January 7, 2010 I received notification that I was approved as an ICMA Credentialed Manager in which there are approximately only 1200 in the World, in 2002 I received the Michigan Municipal League s Excellence in Service Award presented at the Legislative Conference and in 1995 I received the Michigan Municipal League s Special Award of Merit for my contributions made to local government. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ICMA Credentialed Manager. January 2010 to Present. In an effort to continue to learn and improve my skills I have met the qualifications to be recognized as an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager. It should be noted that there are only approximately 1200 individuals in the World with this designation. The ability to qualify for this designation has required a significant amount of research in the latest advancements in the areas of technology, finance, human resources, managerial processes and program evaluation. Additionally, during this time I have occasionally served as a volunteer in the area of social services. City Administrator, City of Ecorse, Michigan. April 2014 to August 2014. Ecorse has a population of 9,512 and is 3.69 square miles. The City s 2014 2015 Fiscal Year Budget totals approximately $18.5 million and the City employs approximately 59 employees. The City of Ecorse recently was removed from an Emergency Manager and is now a City subject to oversight by the State of Michigan Receivership Transition Advisory Board. Accomplishments: (1) Reported to the Mayor and Council and the Receivership Transition Advisory Board (2) Assisted in the preparation of two Five Year Budgets. (3) Initiated the City s first Six Year Capital Improvement Budget. (4) Served as the City s Human Resources Director conducting contract negotiations, processing grievances and reviewing the health insurance renewals. (5) Reviewed the City Insurance coverages and requested alternative levels of coverage. (6) Economic and Community Development projects included working with representatives of new industrial projects and working with representatives of United States Great Lakes Steel World Headquarters. (7) Completed the City s Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP) Report which included organizational changes expected to result in significant savings. (8) Assisted with the approval of an approximate $800,000 storm and sanitary sewer project required by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Village Manager, Village of Middleville, Michigan. October 2007 to September 2009. Middleville is a small Village with a population of 2,721 and is 2.07 square miles. The Village s 2009 Fiscal Year Budget totals approximately
$2.5 million and the Village employs 10 employees. The Police Department and Wastewater Treatment Plant Services are contracted to outside service providers. Accomplishments: (1) Assisted in the implementation of an approximate $1.5 million Downtown Beautification and Watermain Project, the Street Improvements Program and an approximate $350,000 Village Hall Renovation and Expansion Project. (2) Initiated the Village s first Six (6) Year Capital Improvement Program for each fiscal year as part of the budgetary process. (3) Assisted in the acquisition of a new integrated financial software system. (4) Assisted in the preparation of the Request for Proposal (RFP) Document for the purposes of initiating a Villagewide Residential Waste Hauling, Curbside Recycling and Spring Clean up Program. The program commenced on October 6, 2009. (5) Assisted in the procurement of Federal and State Grants for the construction of the approximate $11 million Finkbeiner/Crane Road and Bridge Project. (6) Assisted in a presentation at the August 2009 Michigan Economic Development Corporation Strategic Fund Meeting which resulted in a MEGA Tax Credit being granted to a local industry. (7) Assisted in the preparation of the new County 9 1 1 Plan. (8) Conducted performance reviews, designed a comparative wage/benefit study, reviewed various fringe benefit plans, and participated in union negotiations which resulted in the approval of a high deductible health insurance plan. The adoption of the high deductible health insurance plan and Health Savings Account (HSA) resulted in significant savings to the Village. Village Manager, Village of Homer, Michigan. August 2004 to June 2007. Homer is a small historical Village (has more than 130 buildings on the State and National Historic Register) with a population of 1,851 and is 1 square mile. The Village s 2006 Fiscal Year Budget totals $3 million and the Village employs 13 full time employees. Accomplishments: (1) Assisted in the approval of a $1.3 million Downtown and Linear Park Project. A total of three (3) grants were submitted to fund the project totaling nearly $1.1 million. Approval was granted for the first segment of the project which was constructed during the 2007 Construction Season. Expected outcomes include having the downtown designated a Historic Heritage Highway and a connection to the $1.5 million 7 mile linear park system. (2) Assisted in the development of the Village of Homer Goals and Objectives Mission Statement. (3) Hired an Architectural Firm for the primary purpose of renovating and expanding the Village Hall to help house the establishment of a 24/7 police department. (4) Conducted performance reviews, comparative wage study, bid package for health, dental and vision coverage s and established new wage levels for employees who had experienced a wage freeze for one year. (5) Developed several questionnaires for marketing and retention purposes for existing and prospective commercial and industrial businesses. (6) Developed a Village of Homer Newsletter and assisted in the development of a new Village Website. City Manager, City of Battle Creek, Michigan. December 2001 to June 2003. Battle Creek has a population of 53,364 and is 44 square miles, making it the second largest City geographically in Michigan. The City s 2002 2003 Fiscal Year Budget totals $106.1 million and the City employs approximately 700 full time employees. Accomplishments: (1) Initiated an internal strategic planning process resulting in a Comprehensive Strategic Plan to address the City Commission s long term goals and desired outcomes. (2) Assisted in the identification and procurement of a Customer Response Management Software Program (CRM) that will result in improved customer service and where merited new service delivery models. (3) Negotiated intergovernmental and non profit agreements which resulted in a new tax base sharing agreement for the two (2) Downtown Development Authorities and the Aviation Smart Zone, an enhanced downtown marketing and development effort, a countywide effort towards a centralized dispatch system and preservation of a contract to provide police services for a neighboring Township. (4) Initiated a comprehensive review of the City s purchasing program resulting in the completion of a Diversity and Contract Compliance Study. (5) Assisted in the implementation of a new Broadband System within Downtown Battle Creek and the Aviation Smart Zone. This project was part of the strategy to retain Kellogg s, the Kellogg Foundation and the Federal Center within Battle Creek, Michigan. (5) Participated in a two week economic development trade mission with Battle Creek Unlimited in Japan in which we met with representatives of a significant number of manufacturers, national universities and private colleges. City Manager, City of Lapeer, Michigan. February 1989 to December 2001. Lapeer is the County Seat,
encompasses 7 square miles and has a population of 9,072 which represents a 16.9% increase from the 1990 census. The City s 2001 2002 Fiscal Year Budget totals $26.26 million. The City employs 119 full time equivalent employees and is one of only 22 cities in Michigan which levies an income tax. Accomplishments: (1) In 2001 entered into a historical land and utility agreement with Mayfield Township that will serve as a positive model of preserving a central city, intergovernmental relations and smart growth within the State of Michigan. (2) Developed consensus between residents, elected and administrative officials using a futuring planning process resulting in the adoption of the Lapeer 2001 Strategic Plan. The Plan was presented at the Michigan Mayors State Conference as a successful model of process as well as implementation. (3) Successfully secured funding and community support for the construction of a $7 million community/recreation center. (4) Recruited and assisted in the establishment of a city sponsored Community College University Center which was an anchor of an approximate 290 acre redevelopment project. (5) The City received more than $12 million in grants. (6) Successfully improved neighborhoods by reconstructing more than 40 percent of the city streets and implementing a state recognized comprehensive housing rehabilitation program. (6) Successfully negotiated three five (5) year labor contracts with the respective bargaining units. Recognitions/Awards: During my tenure as the City Manager of Lapeer, the City received the following recognition/awards: The City of Lapeer Community Center was selected as one of the seventy State of the Art Recreation and Athletic Facilities in the Nation by Athletic Business Magazine. Additionally, the project received the Michigan Recreation and Park Association Facility Design Award and the MML Innovation Park and Recreation Award Honorable Mention. The Demille Boulevard received the American Society of Civil Engineers Quality of Life Award. This is for projects that are instrumental in changing the quality of life in the community. A second award was received from the American Public Works Association, Michigan Chapter Project of the Year. The project was also rated as one of the top ten within the nation of projects within its category. The City s Industrial Pretreatment Program received national recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The City was chosen based on our nomination by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for the National Pretreatment Excellence Awards Program. The City s 12 year Housing Program was featured on February 20, 2000 in the Flint Journal. A representative of MSHDA stated that the City s program was one of the best in the state. Further, he stated that we have received more grant dollars then any other city our size and the work that was accomplished was exemplary. The City and Downtown Development Authority s Pix Theater Project has been featured on Public Television and was a recent topic at the April 2001 National Mainstreet Conference. City Manager, City of Otsego, Michigan. January 1982 to February 1989. Population 3,937. The City employs approximately 20 employees. Accomplishments: (1) Assisted in the development of eight comprehensive plans. The plans included funding strategies targeted towards downtown development, neighborhood beautification, reduction of substandard housing, community recreation and park enhancement, capital improvement programming, solid waste management, utility system improvements and zoning. (2) Assisted in the establishment of the first Downtown Development Authority in Allegan County. (3) Assisted in the development of the Eley Acres Subdivision a public and private housing development. (4) Assisted the City in receiving more than $4 million in grants to help finance, in part, park improvements, housing improvements and a new wastewater treatment plant. (5) Assisted in the development of a 24 Unit Senior Citizen Complex for ambulatory residents. (6) Served as the lead negotiator in contract negotiations with the various unions. (7) Assisted in the creation of five governmental boards which resulted in a strengthened alliance with neighboring governmental jurisdictions and
broader community support for municipal programs. Planning Intern, City of Battle Creek, Michigan. November 1980 to November 1981. Population 53,364. Accomplishments: (1) Assisted in the development of an updated master plan and land use plan for the city. (2) Conducted a detailed analysis of Battle Creek s $36 million budget. (3) Assisted in the establishment of a neighborhood non profit corporation for the purpose of assisting the City in combating community deterioration. (4) Edited grant applications. Graduate Assistant, Center for Public Administration Programs. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. April 1980 to November 1980. Accomplishments: (1) Assisted in the preparation and analysis of a governmental survey focused on the management of American Cities with populations between 2,500 and 15,000 in the States of Michigan, Iowa and Georgia. (2) A panelist for a graduate seminar on retrenchment management. (3) General office responsibilities, including support of faculty research activities. Student Body President, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 1978 1979. Congressional Intern, employed in the Office of United States Representative Garry Brown, Third District, Michigan, 1978. Vice President of Academics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 1977 1978. EDUCATION Institute for Executive Leadership: Sponsored by the Michigan City Management Association and Western Michigan University s School of Public Administration, June 1995. University of Michigan: Michigan Industrial Development Division Economic Development Training Program, August 1986. Western Michigan University: Master of Public Administration Degree. April 1981. Master s Paper Topic: Retrenchment Management: Budgetary Challenge of the 80 s. GPA: 3.63. Western Michigan University: Bachelor of Science Degree. April 1979. Major: Public Administration. Minor: Political Science. GPA: 3.03. HONORS, RESEARCH TOPICS AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS In 2011 I became a member of the World Future Society. The World Future Society has approximately only 1000 members. The reason I became a member of World Future Society was, in part, to complete a portion of my 2011 work plan to continue my Certification as an ICMA Credentialed Manager. In 2010 I received approval by the International City/County Management Association to be an ICMA Credentialed City Manager. It is my understanding that there are approximately only 1200 in the World. In 2002 I received the Michigan Municipal League s Excellence in Service Award presented at the Michigan Municipal League s Legislative Conference. In 2001 I served on a Michigan House of Representatives Work Group which resulted in an agreement between the Michigan Township Association and the Michigan Municipal League redefining annexation and detachment law within Michigan. Elected to a four year term on the Innovation Groups National Board 2001 2005.
Past President of the Michigan City Management Association, term 1998 1999 (Michigan Local Government Management Association). In 1999 I completed a bench marking study of State Local Government Management Associations throughout the Country. On May 31, 1997 I presented a study to the Innovation Groups Management Practices Panel at the Kansas Transforming Government Conference On Managing Change Within An Organization. Published in the May 1996 Issue of the Michigan Municipal Review. The Future of Cities: Will It be Bright, Or Are Clouds On the Horizon? Elected to a two year term on the Michigan City Management Association Board of Directors, 1996 1998. Received the Michigan Municipal League s Special Award of Merit, October 1995. Appointed to the Innovation Groups Management Practices Panel, 1995. Elected to a three year term on the Michigan Municipal League Board of Directors, 1991 1994. Published in the March 1993 issue of Planning and Zoning News Strategic Planning Can Magnify Your City s Success.. Profiled in the March 2001 Innovation Groups Newsletter and the January 1993 issue of PM Public Management Magazine published by the International City/County Management Association. Appointed Chairman of the Michigan Municipal League Subcommittee on the State Role in Municipal Economic Development, 1986 1987. As a result of the Committee s efforts I wrote a position paper entitled, The State s Role in Municipal Economic Development, which was adopted at that time as the official policy of the Michigan Municipal League. Published in the May 1986 Issue of the Michigan Municipal Review, Otsego: Achieving Potential with Confidence. The article described the City s establishment of the first Downtown Development Authority in Allegan County and the plans for improving the downtown. Lectured at Western Michigan University for various undergraduate and graduate public administration programs. Topics included the Presidential Management Internship Program, Conflict Resolution, Retrenchment Management and Grantsmanship. President of the Lapeer Optimist Club, 1998 1999; President of the Otsego Rotary Club, 1987 to 1988; Member of the Michigan Municipal League Legislative and Urban Affairs Committee, 1984 to 2002; President of the Southwest Michigan Manager s Association, 1984 to 1987; Board Member of the West Michigan Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, 1987 to 1989; Member of the American Society for Public Administration, 1980 to 2002; Member of the International City/County Management Association, 1982 to present and Member of the Michigan Local Government Managers Association, 1982 2003 and 2007 to present. PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND INTERESTS Father of two children. Interests include reading, music, exercise, travel and sports.