HomeMy WebLinkAboutPennington, Jim - ResumeJames L. Pennington, EdD
412 Edisto Run
Hartsville, SC 29550
Home (843) 332-4638
Mobile (843) 206-3323
E-mail jpenning@bellsouth.net
S U M M A R Y
Work experience includes 32 years
as a professional city manager. Successfully developed and implemented improved management procedures and structural reforms; modernized budget and finance systems; installed team
building and strategic management programs; financing and construction of major infrastructure projects; established or enhanced economic development programs, developed and presented
in-house employee training programs, and have worked closely with elected officials, citizens, the business community, educational institutions and employees to facilitate the resolution
of community problems.
E D U C A T I O N
BA with Highest Distinction in political science, history and education - Morehead State University (1967)
MPA - Xavier University (1983)
EdD - Nova Southeastern University (2008) Major - organizational leadership (public service leadership cognate). Dissertation: “An Analysis and Evaluation of an Employee-Appraisal
Process Used in a Nonmetropolitan City.”
NDEA Doctoral Fellow in Political Science at the University of Alabama (1967 to 1969)
Senior Executive Institute, University of Virginia
(1999)
Advanced seminars and research in management techniques, leadership, facilitation, strategic planning, MBO, finance and budgeting, organizational re-engineering, leadership spirituality,
and labor relations.
CITY MANAGEMENT WORK HISTORY
City Manager - Hartsville, South Carolina July 2001 to February 2010.
Served as chief executive officer of an All-America City with
Council direction to undertake major annexation, improve the city’s economic development efforts, increase the revenue base, and preserve the high community standards. Important examples
include (a) coordinated several major annexations, (b) the implementation of a multi-county business park, (c) the acquisition of a rail yard located in the downtown and in the development
of the Hartsville VISTA , (d) coordinating efforts to attract major facilities to the city such as Lowe’s,(e) developed a hospitality tax bond issue to provide for both the development
of new regional park, a downtown park, and the redevelopment of
several older facilities, and (f) stabilized the city’s financial base while working to strengthen the economic structure.
City Manager - Lauderhill, Florida October 1996 to July 2001.
Served as the first city manager of a culturally diverse community of 57,500. As chief executive officer responsible for all aspects of administration, the conversion from a strong
mayor to a commission-manager form of government, the facilitation of a Commission strategic planning program, helping end an eight year legal battle with the county school board, the
development and implementation of long neglected capital improvements, and creation of an economic development department.
City Manager - Eden, North Carolina July 1994 to May
1996
Served as chief administrator of this full service city. Recruited and charged with the responsibility for updating the overall management structure and introducing new management
concepts. Oversaw the renovation and move to a 40,000 square feet city hall.
City Manager - Paducah, Kentucky June 1990 to July 1994
Chief administrator of a regional service
center with a population of 30,000 and service area of 200,000. Served on the Board of Directors of the Paducah Electric Power System, the Paducah-McCracken County Board of Health,
and as management advisor to the Paducah-McCracken County E-911 Board.
City Manager - Fayetteville, Arkansas September 1987 to January 1990.
Served as chief administrator of a diverse
university community with over 47,000 citizens. Accomplishments included: the coordination of a landmark “disengagement” from a mass burn resource recovery bond issue and a series of
in progress construction contracts. Advanced and/or completed stalled programs, (i.e.: Arts Center and a regional tertiary treatment facility, regional airport improvements). Installed
the city’s first capital improvement program with appropriate financing; established an Office of Economic Development and created a Planning Management Department to coordinate the
city’s growth management program.
City Manager - Delray Beach, Florida January 1984 to September 1987.
Served as chief administrator of this full service, rapidly growing Southeast
Florida coastal city with a staff of over 500. Accomplishments included: Stabilized the city’s organization through a T.E.A.M. program; improved the parks and recreation programs,
including a major beach re-nourishment. Secured and implemented a community development block grant program. Developed policy, procedures and improved management systems.
City Manager
- Fairfield, Ohio May 1980 to August 1983
Served as the first city manager of a rapidly growing suburb in the Cincinnati area. Major accomplishments included: administrative and organizational
changes necessary for the transition to council-manager government. This experience provided unique opportunities to deal with problems of organizational, financial and budgeting restructuring;
improving basic services; promoting economic development; hiring of professional staff; coping with rapid growth, limited financial resources and proving the value of professional management.
City Manager - Jacksonville, North Carolina April 1977 to May 1980.
Served as city manager of a city with a major military installation (Camp LeJeune). Accomplishments included:
major expansions of the water and sewer systems, and financing and construction of a sewage treatment plant. Management and planning accomplishments included the revision and strengthening
of the city’s budgeting, purchasing and long range fiscal planning programs. Maximum utilization of federal and state funding programs and the development and implementation of a long-range
annexation plan.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Adjunct instructor in public administration and policy at Southern Illinois University
Guest lecturer in public administration and policy at Murray
State University
Guest lecturer in leadership development at the University of Ft. Lauderdale
Instructor of American Government at DeKalb College, (GA)
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
& COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
International City/County Management Association
South Carolina City and County Management Association
Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Carolina
Pines Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees
South Carolina Cotton Trail Board Member, former Chairman
Vestry member, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
Coker College Committee on
Student Alcohol and Drug Abuse
HONORS AND SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
North Carolina Gubernatorial appointment to the Governor’s Inmate Labor
Commission
Kentucky Gubernatorial
appointment to the Kentucky Information Systems Commission
Past President, Greater Cincinnati Area City Management Association
Past Chairman, Ohio City Management Association’s Committee
on Professional Development
Past President, North Carolina Municipal Coordinators Association
Past President, Arkansas City Management Association
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
Pi
Sigma Alpha (national honorary in political science)
Selected to the Hamilton Journal News 1981 and 1982 lists of the Twenty-five Most Influential People in the Butler County Area.
Phi Kappa Phi (national collegiate honor society)
Senior Executive Institute Advisory Board, University of Virginia (2000-present)
Past Member of the Executives Council of the Broward
Alliance (Economic Development)
Past board and executive council member of the Broward County, FL chapter of the American Heart Association