HomeMy WebLinkAboutEtienne, Mike - ResumeFREED G. “MIKE” ETIENNE, PHD
7920 Burrundie Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23225
(804) 225-8978 (home); (804) 748-1991 (work); (804) 241-8732 (mobile)
mfetienne1@aol.com or mike_etienne@ccpsnet.net
CAREER SUMMARY
Nearly 20 years of diverse experience and expertise in multiple areas of municipal government; proven leadership qualities in the areas of community and economic development, urban redevelopment,
land use planning, public/private partnerships, capital projects and capital improvement program budgets; executive level management positions with Chesterfield County, Virginia, City
of Richmond, VA, City of Roanoke, VA and the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C.; extensive experience working with mayors, city council members and community groups; community-oriented
with a can-do attitude; excellent management and people skills; adjunct teaching in housing policy and community and economic development; frequent speaker at workshops and conferences
on urban policy; hold a Ph.D. in public policy and administration.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Jan. 2007–Pres. Administrator of Planning and Capital Projects, Chesterfield County, Virginia
With a population of 314,000, Chesterfield is a high growth urban county located in the Richmond Metro Area. A full service county, the organization has a board-administrator form of
government with 11,000+ FTE and $1.3 billion operating budget. I manage a variety of large land use and major capital projects on behalf of the County and the County School Board and
provide strategic direction and support for the six-year $285 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and guide financial execution of CIP projects. Also manage key interdepartmental
projects and external planning/budgeting initiatives and serve as liaison to the County Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, developers and community groups for all matters related
to land use planning and capital projects. I supervise 4 direct reports with 102 FTE. Highlights of activities and accomplishments include:
Facilitation of the six-year CIP, totaling $285 million. The plan is revised annually as part of the budget process and outlines all capital improvements in the county along with need,
source of funds, operating impact and priority. Development of a best practice public facilities model that tracks residential development and alerts CIP of the need for new facilities.
Work collaboratively with county departments on various land use, capital improvement and community development projects. Serve on the county’s Comprehensive Plan Update Technical Committee,
the Neighborhood Revitalization Task Force, zoning pre-application team, and subdivision review team.
Management of multi-million capital projects to include school construction, renovations and additions. Facilitated the Growth Task Force charged with making recommendations to the School
Board on cost and financing of capital projects, facilities, energy efficiency and alternatives to bricks and mortar.
Developed a Critical Capital Needs report identifying the major facilities maintenance needs and repair costs for inclusion in the CIP budget. Acquired over $5 million worth of land
to construct or expand school facilities to sustainability principles, e.g., LEED certification.
Expanded the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to better manage capital projects. Developed a growth-related planning indicators report to assist with long-range facilities
planning.
2006 – 2007 Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), City of Richmond, Virginia
With a population of 200,000, Richmond is the capital of the commonwealth of Virginia. A full service city, Richmond has a strong mayor form of government with 4,500 FTE in 15+ departments,
and an annual operating budget of $760 million. Reporting to the Mayor and the CAO, served as a senior cabinet member of the executive management team; worked closely with the CAO
in overseeing the daily operations of the city organization; led key interdepartmental projects and external initiatives on behalf of the Mayor; provided highly responsible and professional
assistance to the Mayor and CAO; served as acting CAO when needed; and provided oversight and management to 6 departments – planning and community development, economic development,
real estate services, building inspections, public utilities and public works and engineering with over 1,000 FTE and a $65 million operating budget. Highlights of activities and accomplishments
include:
Economic Development - Development of an economic development entity (CRA) to facilitate the revitalization of the downtown area. Facilitated major downtown redevelopment projects to
attract more residents and make it a 24-hour destination. Expanded the department of economic development’s capacity to provide low-interest loans and grants to small businesses and
for workforce development. Development of a proactive business attraction program as an incentive tool to create new jobs in the city.
Land Use Planning and Community Development - Initiated the update of the city’s Master Plan and Downtown Plan. Improved customer service by developing a fast track permitting and expedited
development plan review process. Hired a strong Building Commissioner to implement the customer service initiatives, as well as an aggressive property maintenance code compliance strategy.
Streamlined the review, allocation and monitoring of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds, e.g. CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA.
Affordable/Workforce Housing - Initiated an inclusionary housing program and an affordable housing trust fund to increase the supply of affordable housing. Developed a workforce housing
program for city employees. Partnered with the housing authority and housing non-profits to implement HOPE VI projects and redevelop low-income neighborhoods into mixed-income areas.
Served as liaison to the Housing Authority and the Board of Commissioners. Managed the Neighborhoods in Bloom (NIB) revitalization program, which won the HUD award for best community
development project.
Field Operations - Worked with the Department of Public Utilities and Public Works to repair and replace major sewer lines to prevent future flooding in the downtown area and in adjacent
neighborhoods. Initiated and oversaw $250 million in capital projects; chaired the Mayor’s task force on community infrastructure.
2005 – 2006 Director of Urban Initiatives, ULI – the Urban Land Institute – Washington, DC
Headquartered in Washington DC, the Urban Land Institute is a 501(c) (3) international nonprofit real estate and land use research and education organization that is widely considered
as the preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate organization in the United States. Founded in 1936, the institute has more than 40,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum
of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Community Outreach, I directed ULI’s
community outreach programs on a variety of urban initiatives to include public infrastructure, affordable housing, and community and economic development. Highlights of activities
and accomplishments include:
Managed the Inner City Advisors program, which helps ULI establish its program of work on urban initiatives. Helped organize the annual Shaw Forum on inner-city redevelopment.
Managed the Urban Marketplace program, which is a conference to feature best practices in economic and urban redevelopment at the district council level. Authored and published several
case studies on major urban initiatives to include the Urban Marketplace and the ULI/LISC partnership.
Conducted best practice research on affordable/workforce housing and urban redevelopment initiatives. Assisted with coordination of the Preservation Compact project—an action plan
to preserve affordable rental housing in the city of Chicago, in partnership with the McArthur Foundation.
Helped organize forums and workshops to include the “density and affordable housing” forum and the Shaw Forum in Chicago. Worked with district councils on a variety of urban initiatives,
including the urban marketplace and the inner-city advisors program.
Worked with district councils to successfully coordinate ULI’s involvement in the Bring New Orleans Back Commission’s town hall meetings to engage citizens of New Orleans displaced
from the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
2001 – 2004 Director of Housing and Neighborhood Services, Roanoke, Virginia
With a population of 95,000, the City of Roanoke is the largest city in the Roanoke Metropolitan Area. Roanoke has a council-manager form of government with 2,500 employees and a $259
million annual budget. Issues related to neighborhood blight, code enforcement, and neighborhood revitalization. Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, oversaw day-to-day operations
of the department with 24 FTE and a $2.5 million operating budget; set strategic direction to achieve the city's housing and community developments goals; and implemented city council
determined policies. Highlights of activities and accomplishments include:
Developed and implemented the department’s annual operating budget of $2.5 million. Administered the community development block grant (HUD) programs to include CDBG, HOME and ESG.
Spearheaded the city’s targeted neighborhood revitalization program, which won the Virginia Municipal League’s 2004 Achievement Award for best housing project. Developed an aggressive
code enforcement process to include a computer database to manage and process all nuisance code violations; developed a rental inspection program and a vacant building registry program.
Secured a $1.5 million lead hazard control grant from HUD to abate lead-based paint in older homes.
Facilitated the development of a Housing Strategic Plan to promote diversity of housing choices. Partnered with the housing authority, the housing non-profits and private lending
institutions to develop mixed- income and market-rate housing in the city’s neighborhoods. Partnered with HUD to develop an employee- assisted housing program for police officers and
school teachers. Created a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program for first-time home buyers.
Developed the Neighborhood Leadership College to train neighborhood leaders on how the city functions and on leadership skills. Developed the “Welcome Roanoke” program to introduce
new residents to the city. Managed the city’s Call Service Center to ensure quality customer service.
1998 – 2001 Manager of Planning and Redevelopment, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Richmond, Virginia
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) is the largest housing authority in the commonwealth of Virginia. RRHA, an award-winning agency, serves approximately 10,000 residents
through the management of nearly 4,100 public housing units and 3,100 Housing Choice Vouchers. The agency also leads the city’s neighborhood redevelopment and conservation programs.
RRHA has approximately 300 FTE and an annual operating budget of nearly $68 million. Highlights of activities and accomplishments include:
Managed the revitalization of three urban renewal neighborhoods. Managed various downtown economic development projects, e.g. retail mall, public buildings, and parking lots/garages.
Managed the agency’s neighborhood revitalization annual program budget of $6.5 million in CDBG and HOME funds. Assisted with the management of the agency’s $45 million HOPE VI project.
Made highly technical presentation to the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission and City Council.
Reviewed and analyzed complex public/private financing projects to include LIHTC, Bond financing and other government funding sources. Implemented the nationally recognized Neighborhoods
in Bloom (NiB) revitalization initiative. Developed partnerships with private developers, lending institutions, and neighborhoods groups revitalize neighborhoods into mixed-income
communities.
1991 – 1998 Senior Planner/City Council Liaison, City of Richmond, Virginia
With a population of 206,000, Richmond is the capital of the commonwealth of Virginia. Richmond had a council-manager form of government (prior to 2005) with a $600 million budget, 4,100
FTE in 15+ departments. Reporting to the Director of Community Development (1991-1996) and to the City Manager (1996-98), I managed various community development projects and conducted
highly technical work and managed special projects in the City Manager’s Office. Highlights of activities and accomplishments include:
Wrote the city’s Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS), and the 5-year Consolidated Plan as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Helped
develop the nationally recognized Neighborhoods in Bloom (NiB) revitalization initiative. Monitored the allocation and monitoring of CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA funds to non-profits
agencies. Reviewed and analyzed complex public/private housing financing projects (e.g., LIHTC, Bond deals) for presentation to the City Manager and City Council; and co-chaired
the Continuum of Care system to end homelessness.
Provided staff support to City Council and the City Manager’s Office by performing special projects, including coordination of the CIP budget process. Managed City Council’s “Pay Go”
funds. Worked with department directors to effectively respond to council requests and constituent issues. Managed the Call Center/Citizens Assistance Office. Participated in coordinating,
proof reading, revising, and reviewing the City Council meeting docket (docket review), memorandum process and agenda items for City personnel.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Public Policy and Administration, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006
M.U.R.P. Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1993
B.A. Political Science and Latin American Studies, James Madison University, 1989
Certificate: Harvard University, Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government, John F. Kennedy School of Government, 2004; Fannie Mae Foundation Fellow, 2004
Certificate: University of Virginia, LEAD - Leading, Educating and Developing, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, 2003
Graduate: Leadership Metro Richmond, 2001
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
International City/County Management Association
National Forum for Black Public Administrators
Fannie Foundation Fellow, 2004
Adjunct Professor of Housing Policy, Community Development and Economic Development
The Urban Land Institute
Toastmasters International
Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration
Outstanding Employee of the Year Award, City of Richmond, Virginia, 1995
Military Service - United States Marine Corps, Veteran of Desert Storm/Desert Shield, 1990-91