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Home My WebLink AboutWhitt, Dennis - ResumeL. DENNIS WHITT ldenniswhitt@yahoo.com 55 Greenbush Street, Suite #1 6210 S.W. 130th Avenue, Suite # 1010 Cortland, New York 13045 Miami, Florida 33183 Tel (607) 591-1793 Tel (305) 600-0859 January 15, 2010 Colin Baenziger Colin Baenziger & Associates 12970 Dartford Trail, Suite 8 Wellington, FL 33414 561.707.3537 Colin@cb-asso.com Dear Mr. Baenziger, Please accept my resume as a response to the open City Manager position in Cape Canaveral, FL. I recently completed my third two-year term of office as the appointed County Auditor for Cortland County, N.Y., a county with a population of approximately 49,000. During my tenure I was responsible to the Board for the internal control and oversight of a $120 million+ budget. I was appointed as the Deputy County Administrator upon my arrival as a municipal consultant in 2004. Additionally, I served at times as Acting Clerk of the Legislature and as de facto chief of staff to three Chairmen of that governing body, each of who served two-year terms. As a lifetime professional public administrator, I believe I have a professional profile consistent with what is necessary to be successful as City Manager for the City of Cape Canaveral. My record shows that I am self-directed, a proven leader with strong inter-personal and communication skills, with a strong professional presence, a high level of integrity and intelligence, and I have outstanding leadership and management skills. I have a demonstrated history of consensus building; I am a good listener, I am innovative and decisive, and I am willing to take direction. I have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills that include the ability to communicate effectively. I believe that communication to all levels of a public organization is the key to the success of that organization. This communication must include the legislative body, department heads, employees, residents, and constituencies. I speak Spanish and I possess the accredited university education and the full-time management experience in government and business that meets the requirements for appointment to the position of City Manager. If the governing body of the City of Cape Canaveral determines that my several years of graduate education and my municipal experience might benefit the city, I would be honored to talk with them. Also, I will be grateful for your serious consideration. Sincerely L. Dennis Whitt Whitt Resume Page 1 L. DENNIS WHITT ldenniswhitt@Yahoo.com 55 Greenbush Street, Suite #1 6210 S.W. 130th Avenue, Suite # 1010 Cortland, New York 13045 Miami, Florida 33183 Tel (607) 591-1793 Tel (305) 600-0859 OBJECTIVE: CITY MANAGER, CAPE CANAVERAL, FL Overview: An experienced, hands-on public/private administrator with a record of progressive responsibilities spanning over thirty years -- over five as Chief Executive in a small community in the greater West Palm metropolitan area; over five as Chief Executive for a tri-ethnic community located in the heart of the greater Miami metropolitan area; a Consulting Municipal Manager and private sector businessman. Areas of expertise encompass: * Mediation & Consensus Facilitation * Decision-Making * Contract Negotiation & Administration * Emergency Management * Private/public partnerships * Community & Economic development *Security & Public Safety * Fostering ethnic diversity and employment * Labor Negotiations * Municipal Law Litigation Strategies * Government Ethics Law RESUME OF RELATED PUBLIC OFFICES HELD County Auditor/ Chief of Staff to Chairman of Legislature/Deputy County Administrator, Cortland County, NY (2004-2010) Statutory responsibilities as Internal Auditor of County Government pursuant to New York Law. Responsible to Board of Legislators for the proper internal control of a 120 Million + budget. Operationally serve as Deputy County Administrator, de facto deputy Clerk of the County Legislature and as administrator to the office of the chief elected official – the Chairman of the County Legislature. Deputy County Administrator, Okeechobee, FL (1997-1998) Responsible to the Board of County Commissioners as the governing body of the county pursuant to Article VIII, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution, and Sections 125.01 and 125.66, Florida Statutes. City Manager, City of South Miami, FL (1996-1997) Chief Executive of municipal government with "Manager-Commission" form of government. Responsible to Mayor and four Commissioners for the proper administration of the several municipal departments, e.g., police, building and zoning, finance, public works, etc. City Administrator, City of Sweetwater, FL (1994-1996) Served as Chief Administrator to the Office of the Mayor with Executive Mayor form of government. ...Responsibilities included management and budget, employee relations, labor relations, wage and salary administration, employee and management development, and affirmative actions, community development, economic development, civil defense, natural disaster preparedness, criminal justice planning and community services. City Manager, City of Opa-locka, FL (1989-1994) Chief Executive of municipal government with "Manager-Commission" form of government. Responsible to Mayor and four Commissioners for the proper administration of the several municipal departments, e.g., police, building and zoning, finance, library, public works, water, etc. Additionally, served as Executive Director of the Opa-locka Housing authority under direction and control of the City Commission. Town Manager, Town of Lake Park, FL (1982-1986) Chief Executive of municipal government with "Manager-Commission" form of government. Responsible to Mayor and four Commissioners for the proper administration of the several municipal departments, e.g., police, fire, building and zoning, finance, library, public works, etc. Whitt Resume Page 2 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE Operational Experience as: County Auditor, Deputy County Administrator, City Manager, Chief Assistant to Mayor, City Treasurer, Personnel Administrator, Purchasing Director, Budget Director, Finance Director, Insurance & Risk Manager, Police Chief, Public Works, Planning Director, Public Safety Director, RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL THOMAS A. EDISON STATE COLLEGE, TRENTON Master of Science in Management Degree– 3.963 GPA Major: Accounting, Finance and Economics School of Business and Management Graduate Certificate – 4.0 GPA Organizational Management and Leadership School of Business and Management UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCELSIOR COLLEGE, ALBANY Master of Art Liberal Studies Degree – 3.75 GPA Self Designed Major: Administration and Management of Public Agencies School of Liberal Arts FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY, BOCA RATON Certificate of Completion for Executive Leadership Center for Management and Professional Development College of Business and Public Administration Certificate of Completion for Computer Applications Center for Management and Professional Development College of Business and Public Administration FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, MIAMI Master in Science Coursework & Bachelors of Science Degree School of Public Affairs UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, ORLANDO Certificate of Grantsmanship MIAMI DADE COLLEGE, MIAMI Associate of Arts Degree Certificate of Community Management Whitt Resume Page 3 AFFILIATIONS PAST Cortland County Tobacco Securitization Corporation – President – 2006-2010 Dade County City Management Association - President 1994-1995 Palm Beach County City Management Association - President two terms 1985 and 1986 International City Management Association Florida City and County Management Association International Personnel Management Association Florida Personnel Management association American Planning Association International Association of Chiefs of Police National Association of Chiefs of Police Florida Chiefs Association Florida Intergovernmental Risk Management Association - Chairman 1985-1986 PERSONAL DATA Height 5'11" - Excellent health. Married. Children. EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND PRESIDENT, L. DENNIS WHITT GROUP, MIAMI, FL (1986-Present) Owner of small consulting company providing services to municipal and county governments and firms doing business with municipal and county governments. COUNTY ADUITOR/DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, CORTLAND COUNTY, NY (2004-2010) Statutory responsibilities as Internal Auditor of County Government pursuant to New York Law. Responsible to Board of Legislators for the proper internal control of a 120 Million + budget. Operationally serve as Deputy County Administrator, de facto deputy Clerk of the County Legislature and as administrator to the office of the chief elected official – the Chairman of the County Legislature. DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OKEECHOBEE, FL (1997-1998) Responsible to the Board of County Commissioners as the governing body of the county pursuant to Article VIII, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution, and Sections 125.01 and 125.66, Florida Statutes. CITY MANAGER, CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FL (1996-1997) Served as Chief Executive of Municipal Government. Recruited to served as interim Manger to facilitate the creation of a city Community Redevelopment Agency and to stimulate the economic development of the city’s blighted areas and downtown. These efforts have resulted in approximately $150 million in planned downtown construction; including an entertainment mall, public parking garage and a complete redesign of downtown’s main street. CITY ADMINISTRATOR, CITY OF SWEETWATER, FL (1994-1996) Served as City Administrator to the Office of the Mayor with Executive Mayor form of government. Continue to serve as consulting City Administrator to the Mayor. CITY MANAGER, CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FL (1989-1994) Served as Chief Executive Officer of Municipal Government with statutory responsibilities of Director of Public Safety; with duties as Chief Sworn Law Enforcement Officer. As Executive director of the City’s Housing Authority was instrumental in developing a public/private partnership resulting in $23 million in economic development and approximately 400 new housing units and a new cultural arts center for the City. Whitt Resume Page 4 VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO OF METRO PUBLIC SAFETY DISTRIBUTORS, INC. (1986-1999) Served as Chief Financial Officer of Florida corporation specializing in providing police and public safety equipment and consulting to municipal governments worldwide. CONSULTING CITY ADMINISTRATOR, VIRGINIA GARDENS, FL (1987-1989) Served as consulting Chief Administrator to the Office of the Mayor for Aldermanac form of municipal government. TOWN MANAGER, TOWN OF LAKE PARK, FL (1982-1986) Served as Chief Executive of Municipal Government. PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR, VIRGINIA GARDENS, FL (1980-1982) Served as Chief Administrator to Mayor's Office. ... Statutory responsibilities for the office of Chief of Police, as well as, enforcement responsibilities for health and sanitation department, building and zoning, and code enforcement. ...Served as assistant administrator to the daily operation of the city with emphasis on problem solving. CHIEF OF POLICE, VIRGINIA GARDENS, FL (1979-1980) Responsible for providing efficient and effective police/public service to the community by formulating plans and policies. Managerial coordination of departmental operations. (1972-1979) Worked in family business while attending the Metropolitan Police Institute, Dade County, Florida, serving as a part-time police officer with the Miami Dade Police Department. Accepted position with Village of Virginia Gardens as police officer. UNITED STATES MARINE CORP (1970-1972) Served in electronic data processing and communications fields. Meritoriously promoted from recruit training; received USMC “Marine of the Month” Award, January 1972 from Commanding General Cherry Point, NC; Honorable Discharge. OTHER PAST ACTIVITIES Adjunct professor - St. Thomas Law School, Miami, FL. Responsible for instructing law students on mechanics of municipal government. Columnist and Freelance Writer - Hometown Newspaper, Miami Springs, FL. Dealing with issues of local government. Consulting to municipal and county chief executives. Consulting to law offices on matter of municipal law. Whitt Resume Page 5 References for L. Dennis Whitt Annette Barber, Personnel Director Cortland County Personnel Department 60 Central Avenue Cortland, NY 13045 607-753-5076 Cell: 607-745-9081 Daniel A. Tagliente Chairman Cortland County Democrat Committee Retired Legislator 70 Pomeroy Street Cortland, NY 13045 607-753-6385 Marilyn E. Brown Vice Chairman Cortland County Democrat Committee Retired Chairman of County Legislature 41 East Court Street Cortland, NY 13045 607-756-6149 Sandra L. Price Majority Leader & Legislator Cortland County Legislature 1189 Church Street Cortland, NY 13045 607-835-6711 John R. Daniels Retired Chairman of County Legislature 4084 Highland Road Cortland, NY 13045 607-753-7820 Honorable Elizabeth A. Burns, Esq. Judge 24 Clinton St. Cortland, NY 13045 607-753-3036 Lee A. Price Cortland County Sheriff 1189 Church Street Cortland, NY 13045 607-835-6711 Scott Schrader County Administrator Cortland County, New York 60 Central Avenue Cortland, NY 13045 607-237-1252 John Orr (Retired Career Public Administrator) 23499 Morgan Drive Auburn, AL 36830 334-502-1068 Charles Toledo, Esq. Law Offices 12274 SW 27th Street Miami, FL 33175 305-226-1929 Mayor Gloria Bango Former Mayor of Sweetwater, Florida 11206 SW 1st Street Sweetwater, FL 33174 305-226-7667