Please accept my letter of application to serve Lehigh County Pennsylvania and fill the current vacancy in District Three on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.
I have been the Democratic Committeeman for Ward 19-11 on Allentown's South side for the last 2 year, a resident of District 3 in Lehigh County for the last 7 years and a resident of Allentown (Lehigh County) for the last 36 years. I feel my professional, community and business experience will bring a new perspective and even more professionalism to our Lehigh County Government.
From a county governance perspective, my experience in administering large organizations and developing efficient operations and budgets will play a significant role in helping me to make intelligent decisions on county budget issues. I have had first hand experience in creating opportunities for children, families and the business sector and will be able to use that experience on issues relating to Community and Economic Development.
(Attached you will find my resume detailing my professional, business and community involvement over the years.)
As you might already know, I was a candidate this past November in the 2007 Municipal Election where I sought a Democratic seat as a County Commissioner at Large. While I was not successful in securing the at-large seat, my efforts and participation in the election has given me an even greater appreciation for county government.
If the results of this past November's race are any indication of District Three's support for me as a candidate, I would like to think I have gained the District support. (Gloria Ham [sic] was the only other candidate who's [sic]number where higher than mine for District Three)
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to submit this application. Please feel free to contact me any time if you have any questions or need any clarifications. I look forward to meeting with you and the entire Board of Commissioners.
Employment History:
August 2007-Present: Parks & Recreation Department, 3000 Parkway BLVD, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104, Superintendent of Recreation City of Allentown PA.
Responsible for various aspect of administering the City of Allentown's Recreation Bureau. Activities of the Bureau include all recreational programming, City owned Field S Court reservations, Allentown School District facility, Grant & CDBG funding coordination. Special event coordination, Pool & Spray Park management, Summer Playground Program coordination. Staffing for the bureau includes the management of (6) fulltime staff and (100) plus part-time, seasonal and contracted program staff. The Bureaus budget is 600K.
May 2005-July 2007: Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley, Inc 17th & Chew Streets P.O Box 722 Allentown PA 18105, Director of Advancement
Responsible for various aspects of fundraising coordination & marketing for organization: Grants (Government-PDE S CDBG), Foundations, Tax Credits, Major Gifts Cultivation. Donor-base creation S management, direct mail solicitation, various campaign coordination, (UW employee, Success Society), Leadership Gathering coordination, Website development, newsletters. (Hard copy & electronic). Coordination of Board of Directors Advancement Committee, program report coordination.
March 2001-May 2005: Alliance For Building Communities, 830 Hamilton Street, Allentown PA 18101, Fundraising / Marketing Coordinator
Responsible for various aspect of fundraising coordination & marketing for organization: Grants (Government-HUD & CDBG, Foundations, CRA (Banks), Donor-base creation S management, direct mail solicitation, Major Gifts, Website development, newsletters.
Dec 1999-Nov 2000: Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, 720 N 6th Street, Allentown PA,
Resource Development Director
Responsible for various aspect of fundraising coordination & marketing for organization: Grants (Government-HUD & CDBG, 'Foundations, Donor-base creation S management, direct mail solicitation, Website development, newsletters
Nov-1990-Dec 1999: Positions held; Educational Director, Unit Director, Director of Operation (5 Facilities), Camp Director (Camp Horseshoe)
Planned, coordinated and managed various Youth recreation programs for various facilities of the organization. Responsible for managing a full-time and part-time staff.
July 1994-2005: Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley Inc. PO Box 4385 Allentown PA 18105
Founder and President Black Heritage Festival & Basketball Tournament, Valania Park Youth Recreation Leagues (2000-2005)
Responsible for direct oversight of organizational operations: personnel, finance, public relations, development. Responsible for motivating and managing volunteer board of directors & staff.
EDUCATION:
Kutztown University, Kutztown PA. 1984/1985/1993
Currently pursuing (AFP) CFRE Certification
Lehigh University Educational Technologies-ITEC Certificate 1989-1991
Lehigh Carbon Community College- Networking & E-commerce classes 2000-2001
Dieruff High School, Irving Street Allentown PA. -High School Diploma 1980-1984
Computer Skills:
All Microsoft Applications-Word, Access, Power-Point, Excel, Publisher, Front page. Outlook Donor-base: Donor Perfect, Fundamental Donor, Web administration & development: Mdeamon Server Applications, Constant Contact and various E-Marketing ASP programs.
Honors: Rotary International Group Study Exchange Team Member/Nigeria 1994, National Society of Fundraising Professionals (NSFRE) Fundraising Scholar 2000, City of Allentown Human Relations Award Recipient- October 24th 2001 'Lehigh Valley Style Magazine' Movers & Shakers-September 2002
Professional Networks & Activities:
B&GC of America-Academy of Boys Girls Club Professionals-Management Professional 1999 The Association of Fundraising Professionals 2000-present, President MNET of PA (E-Marketing Services)
Community Volunteer Activities:
Allentown Liberty Bell Rotary Club 1998-2006, Lehigh Valley Mural Project (Funding Architect), City of Allentown Recreation Commissioner-2002-2007, Lehigh valley Workforce Investment Board 2006-2007, Board member 2007-present Coalition for Alternative Transportation
References provided upon request