Experience

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  Police executive research forum

  Jan 1987 - Jan 1990

  Technical advisor

  RESPONSIBILITIES:Worked as a full partner and technical advisor to the San Diego Police Department, pioneering Problem Oriented Policing (POP) strategies as part of a U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance five-city demonstration project in Atlanta, Tampa, Philadelphia, Tulsa, and San Diego.RESULTS: Following the success of the program, I was recruited by police departments and municipalities in the U.S. and abroad to introduce Problem Oriented Policing to their communities on both a full-time and contract basis for nearly two decades. It was the launching pad for a career focused primarily on helping to build livable and age-friendly communities. Show less

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  Contract

  Jan 1990 - Jan 2009

  Special police & community consultant

  RESPONSIBILITIES: Concurrent with permanent positions I held, I was often recruited for special assignments on a contract basis. Some of these roles included:In 2008, I was retained by Price Charities in San Diego to evaluate and make recommendations to increase resident engagement and community policing in City Heights, a San Diego neighborhood, as part of a healthy communities’ initiative funded by The California Endowment. From 2003-2007, I was appointed by the Federal Court to serve as Special Master on a 7-person team to oversee a Department of Justice and court-ordered agreement with the City of Cincinnati to improve race relations, reduce crime, and increase police effectiveness and accountability.Served as consultant and advisor to police, community and government leaders in the US, Canada, Albania, and the Netherlands. One of two Americans appointed as expert advisor to the British Columbia Royal Commission of Inquiry on Policing, and as an external police advisor to the LAPD and Los Angeles City Council following the Rodney King incident.Assessed systems, organizations and leadership in county and municipal governments, and recommended policy and operational strategies. In the US, this included: Houston, Dallas, Waco, Milwaukie, Madison, San Diego County, Los Angeles, Irvine, Santa Barbara, Sacramento, Riverside, El Centro, Oakland, and numerous others.RESULTS:Co-founded and designed two international conferences for police and municipal leaders: Leading When the Heat’s On, hosted in Seattle from 2001-2003; and the Problem Oriented Policing Conference, which debuted in San Diego in 1990 and continues to this day.Conducted workshops and seminars for trainers, supervisors, executives, community members, and municipal agencies in strategic planning, change and performance management, problem-solving, leadership, and community collaborations. Show less

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  City of san diego-san diego police department

  Jan 1990 - Jan 1994

  Neighborhood policing manager

  RESPONSIBILITIES: Hired to continue the work started as Technical Advisor with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), I served as a member of the senior staffs of both the City Manager and Police Chief. Identified policy and political issues, built support for new crime reduction strategies, and developed partnerships with civic leaders, community activists, neighborhood residents, police officers, and labor unions. Developed interagency teams, including the Drug Abatement Response Team (DART), to resolve intergovernmental issues, address neighborhood crime, and encourage economic revitalization. Served as the City Manager’s representative to the citywide Executive Committee of Weed and Seed, advancing reduction in crime (weed) and economic development (seed).RESULTS: Developed San Diego’s first citywide Problem Analysis Advisory Committee (PAAC) comprising civic, community, business, and government leaders to support police officers in resolving neighborhood crime. Established the city’s first Neighborhood Watch Committee. Spearheaded the creation of a 1,000-person volunteer program. Cofounded the International Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Conference in 1990, which continues today. And developed a train-the-trainers program and problem-solving curriculum to coach 2,700 internal employees and other city agencies.As a result of these and other initiatives, I was recruited nationally and beyond to support police departments and municipal governments in solving a wide variety of policing and non-policing problems in both contract and full-time positions. Show less

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  Seattle police department

  Jan 1994 - Jan 2000

  Bureau director

  RESPONSIBILITIES: Recruited by the Police Chief to serve as one of seven senior executives for an organization with 1,955 employees and $136 million annual budget. As Bureau Chief, developed and managed a $30 million budget, including eight divisions with over 200 full-time, part-time and volunteer staff, and $22 million in federal grants. Led development of federal grant proposals. Participated in all executive policy and strategic planning decisions with primary responsibility for community policing, problem solving, community relations, volunteer engagement, crime prevention, victim assistance, crime analysis, and information technology.RESULTS:Managing the public affairs director’s office, I oversaw the development of a department-wide plan to improve internal and external communications and relationships and provide strategic direction for the leadership team. Led the creation of a public access television program and community policing academies in support of the plan. Directed development of an IT strategic plan and lobbying effort, resulting in a congressional appropriation to seed new IT systems. Met individually with 200 employees to establish new Bureau expectations for ethical and effective performance. Developed coaching model and training for supervisory employees and trainers to ensure their teams met accountability standards. With U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), developed international leadership conferences drawing 650+ people. Show less

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  Portland police bureau

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2003

  Bureau director

  RESPONSIBILITIES:One of four senior executives reporting directly to the Chief of Police, I participated in all policy and strategic decisions. As branch chief, led Services Branch of eight divisions comprised of 200 police, civilian, and contract employees, supporting the vision and goals of the organization. As chief financial officer for the Bureau, developed and managed a $123 million budget for an agency of over 1500 personnel, achieving target goals in an era of severe retrenchment and terrorism threats. Chaired management review of major internal personnel investigations to reduce risks to individual and organizational integrity, liability, and police/community relations. Served as Chief’s policy liaison to the Governing Board of the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), and the Executive Board of the Portland Police Foundation.RESULTS: Among my most notable accomplishments: Led a reengineering of police training utilizing advanced educational methodologies. Wrote a successful federal grant proposal to certify 250 police and community instructors as police trainers in support of reengineering community relations. Directed information sharing and data systems integration with countywide IT departments to improve interagency responses to crime problems. Negotiated an intergovernmental transfer of the false alarm program to increase accountability for police responses, reduce repeat alarms and increase Bureau revenues. Show less

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  Aarp louisiana

  Jan 2007 - Jun 2015

  State director

  RESPONSIBILITIES: In my first role at AARP, I was entrusted to recruit and lead a diverse team of professionals and volunteers in planning, developing and implementing successful strategies to advance AARP’s national and state priorities in healthcare, financial security, long-term services and support, and livable communities. In the rebuilding efforts emanating from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I developed a community partnership with Hollygrove, a New Orleans neighborhood devastated by the storm. I collaborated with local leaders in hosting site tours for foundations and won multiyear funding from AARP and Caesar’s Foundations. I also led the creation of a new Community Resource Center (CRC) in the Hollygrove neighborhood.I developed new working relationships with federal law enforcement agencies, state appointed leaders and elected officials, policymakers, community leaders, academic institutions, and statewide associations to advance reforms in transportation, long-term care, and healthcare. Served in strategic leadership roles, including the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum; Louisiana Public Health Institute; Center for Planning Excellence; and was Chair for Louisiana Department of Health and Hospital initiatives to advance AARP priorities. Developed and managed an annual budget with accountability for forecasting and fiscal controls. Served as spokesperson with media and at conferences and events in support of state initiatives.RESULTS: In 2011, for AARP/Hollygrove partnership initiatives in Katrina’s aftermath, our team received one of 10 national awards (out of 700 nominees) from MetLife Foundation for our impact on older adult well-being and a 67% reduction in violent crime. Also, on Special Assignment in consultation with State and National Group at AARP National, I researched and designed the Office of Volunteerism and Service (OVS), including job descriptions for all positions and robust organizational support for state-based volunteerism. Show less

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  Aarp california

  Jun 2015 - now

  State director

  RESPONSIBILITIES:AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering individuals 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. I was brought in to lead the complete restructuring of operations in four metropolitan areas, to create a vision and focus for the work, establish AARP as a leading resource to help develop livable communities for all ages and abilities, and create a high-performing, multicultural team. Major responsibilities include: Directing and inspiring staff and volunteers at locations throughout the state, including development of written expectations for staff performance, clarification of roles and responsibilities, and instituting a conflict resolution and problem solving process. Overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget and allocation of funds for greatest impact and value. Serving as spokesperson for AARP at state media events, philanthropy conferences and educational forums. Forging partnerships with community-based organizations to boost volunteer engagement and help local jurisdictions address livability concerns. RESULTS: Among the highlights: Led our staff and volunteer Executive Council in developing of a vision for California that aligned with AARP’s national vision. Directed development of a “Micro Project Team” strategy to lift the Executive Council out of operational matters and into a more strategic role. Directed design and execution of a “Strategy Design Charrette” in collaboration with strategic planning partners to develop 3-year strategy maps for California’s four focus areas: caregiving, livable communities, technology, and financial resilience. Met with key external stakeholders to explore opportunities for partnerships and high-level volunteer engagement. And more.In recognition of the successful reorganization of the state office and contributions to the communities we serve, in 2017 I was named a Visionary Award 30-in-30 Honoree by the Southern California Leadership Network. Show less