Laguna Niguel, California, United States
Compelling experience and work in planning and development, public affairs and policy, and project management. Authored vision for “21st Century Classroom” that has been constructed in more than a dozen schools and adopted by the leading school architects in California.
Project manager / urban planner at private consulting company. Currently responsible for all of firm’s planning services to 20+ clients throughout California including work in consulting, community development, environmental protection, redevelopment, urban design, and transportation. Responsible for recruitment / hiring, staff evaluation, internal budgeting, and monthly performance goals for 3-5 subordinate staff. Managed capital programs. Wrote policies and reports on community needs. Prepared applications for State grants and agency approvals. Collaborated with architects, engineers, and legal counsel. Managed project design and led design meetings to ensure projects were delivered on time, on budget, and per specification; managed value engineering when required. Analyzed census data, demographics, transportation and parking, public opinion research, and comments from public forums. Created cost estimates, budget models, cash-flow studies, and population projections. Wrote detailed planning reports, as well as secured the approval of plans and policies through materials prepared and personally presented to local elected officials. Drafted memos, policy papers, directives, and fact-sheets. Wrote detailed project specifications. Negotiated contracts and managed work performance with third party consultants. Led procurement of contractors and professional services. Assisted with construction implementation and developed plans to mitigate construction impacts on adjacent land uses. Coordinated with financial advisory and bond professionals to establish bond financing programs, and prepared/filed required documents with county officials. Scheduled and conducted stakeholder workshops with agency leaders, elected officials, professional firms, and major vendors. Designed public opinion research surveys and tabulated data from results. Directed community volunteer and campaign efforts to win voter support for funding measures.
Provided consulting services contributing to the City of Santa Monica's 2011 Bicycle Plan Update, including data collection, interpretation, and report writing. Assembled a highly competitive application to the League of American Bicyclists that achieved national recognition for Santa Monica as a "Bicycle Friendly Community." Authored grant proposals that secured $900,000 for the funding of pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements near Santa Monica schools. Organized widely-attended community charrette to improve road and bicycle planning.
From Mumbai, India, worked as part of team helping to implement environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable urban mobility solutions to improve quality of life in cities. Studied impact of rapid urbanization, economic development, and growing middle class on mobility throughout India. Edited guidebook for implementing successful Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. Relied on prior research and data from LA Metro's Orange Line BRT to add commentary to analysis.
Served as Capitol Hill staff advisor to Congresswoman on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Wrote and researched federal legislative policy on urban development, housing, and health care and transportation. Drafted memos, talking points, letters, position papers, and legislation for official consideration by the House of Representatives or its committees. Interfaced with planners and city management from San Gabriel Valley cities, COGs, METRO, Metropolitan Water District, and others on federal legislative affairs regarding water supply, transit, superfund environmental cleanup activities, and federal grants. Managed introduction of H.R. 3430, the Mental Health in Schools Act, and mediated negotiations between House/Senate staff to secure cosponsors and endorsements. Organized outreach to collect input from community groups and build public support for new legislative initiatives. Provided referrals to government agencies, legislative resources, and public services. Drafted press releases, statements, media responses, and fact sheets.