10-12-09 Item Add-On 3JAMES PATRICK GALLAGHER 3110 Post Oak Ct., Winter Haven, FL 33884
Cell: (863) 651 -1617 E -Mail: jgallagher27@tampabay.rr.com
SUMMARY
More than twelve years of Florida government experience with expertise in the following areas:
• Smart Growth Management & Strategic Planning • External Agency Interaction
• Financial Management & Grant Writing • Major Utilities Funding & Expansion
• Human Resources & Risk Management • Economic Development
• Public Works & Infrastructure Projects • Team Building & Labor Relations
An innovative leader with exceptional written and oral communication skills; Experienced hands -on
proactive and decisive manager at home in a fast -pace government work environment; An enthusiastic
goal- oriented and creative visionary; A dedicated team player able to multi -task and wear many hats
RELEVANT LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE
Town Manager, Town of Dundee, FL $69,300
2004 -2006
Dundee has a population of 3,200 and area of approximately 11 square miles with 45 employees and an
annual budget of $15 million. It is a high - growth municipality located in east Polk County, Florida. I
came to Dundee at a time when several annexations were pending and the town lacked master plans for
infrastructure to service the more than 20 subdivisions that were planned. I immediately began master
planning and securing funding for roads, water, sewer, and reclaimed water utilities and the construction
of a new wastewater treatment plant and other utilities infrastructure. Achievements:
• Effectively served as chief executive officer of a full- service municipal government with 35
employees and a $15 million budget with oversight responsibility for police, fire, library,
museum, roads, storm drainage, water and sewer utilities, code enforcement, building inspection,
recreation, parks, lakes, land use planning, zoning, finance, customer service, and personnel
• Improved customer service and responsiveness to citizens via specialized employee training and
the implementation of a customer satisfaction survey and a performance monitoring process
• Revised comprehensive plan and land use map to reflect statutory mandates and growth trends
• Funded the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant and the master planning of water,
wastewater, and reclaimed water utilities without increasing taxes or public debt
• Updated personnel policies and resolved lingering employee overtime and comp time issues
• Prepared and administered fiscal operating and multi -year capital improvement budgets
• Significantly increased revenues, doubled net assets, and acquired sites for utilities expansion
• Reduced operating costs by outsourcing solid waste collection and building inspection services
• Effectively represented the organization via public speaking engagements before civic groups
• Maintained strict compliance with all County, State, and Federal regulations
• Set goals, encouraged team spirit, and inspired a competent high performance management team
• Restored financial integrity to the water and sewer utility funds by adjusting rates and
connection (impact) fees to accommodate for inflation and years of neglect
• Directed emergency response and recovery for Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne
• Improved the effectiveness of code enforcement by changing from a board to a magistrate system
• Secured grant funding for a multitude of projects, including a reclaimed water utility
JAMES GALLAGHER Page 2
Personnel & Risk Manager, City of Cocoa., FL $55,000 1995 -2003
Cocoa is a full - service municipality with a population of 18,000 and 450 employees located along the east
coast of Florida in Brevard County. The city is known for its massive water utility which serves over
70,000 customers in an area stretching well beyond city limits. in all directions. Achievements:
• Reduced personnel costs by transitioning to a defined contribution 401(a) retirement system
• Implemented an employee performance evaluation and merit pay system
• Successfully maintained cost effective employee benefits through a competitive bidding process
• Launched an award winning workplace safety and loss control program resulting in a 49%
reduction in frequency of on-the-job injuries and an 80% reduction of incurred claims liability
• Restored integrity to the city's self - insured workers' compensation fund by making up a $3
million deficit and consistently operating the fund within budget and loss projections
• Instilled pride and a commitment to the workplace among supervisors and employees through
performance recognition, education programs, and inclusion on advisory committees
Mayor & Chief Administrator, City of Sebastian, FL
1984 -1986
Sebastian is located along the east coast of Florida in Indian River County and, at the time of my tenure,
operated under a "strong mayor" form of government where the mayor simultaneously sat as a voting
member of the city council and as the chief administrative officer to manage the day -to -day municipal
operations, including a championship public golf course and airport with industrial park. Achievements:
• Chief administrator of full - service municipal government with 70 employees and $3.5 million
general fund and $2.2 million enterprise fund budgets with oversight responsibility for personnel,
police, roads, storm water, planning, zoning, airport, golf course, riverfront and parks
• Effectively managed all day -to -day operations and supervised all department heads
• Completed the city's first DCA- mandated Land Development Code for coastal communities
• Prepared and administered fiscal budgets and managed special projects
• Negotiated labor agreements with the city's two collective bargaining units
• Secured grant funding to develop riverfront parks,
• Successfully negotiated a golf course /airport land lease agreement to clear the way for grant -
funded airport master planning and the refinancing of the municipal golf course
• Improved police morale and effectiveness through training and upgrading of equipment
• Established excellent working relationships with external government boards and civic clubs
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Educator, Indian River County, Florida School District 1989 -1995
Taught secondary level students in both mainstream and alternative education settings
Executive Director, Sebastian General Partnership
1989
1986-
Managed the company's land development and mining operations in Indian River and Brevard Counties
and oversaw the design and construction of Sebastian's first commercial planned unit development
JAMES GALLAGHER I Page 3
EDUCATION
Nova Southeastern University MPA Degree with Distinction
Emphasis on business administration and finance
King's College Bachelor of Arts
Majored in sociology with emphasis on urban planning; Worked as assistant to the college's Director of
Urban Research and participated in several urban research projects, studies, and publications
National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research Certified Risk Manager
Completed all courses, examinations, and continuing education requirements for current CRM
designation and membership in Certified Risk Managers International
Florida Institute of Government
at the University of Central Florida Continuing Education
Completed courses and seminars in supervisory skills, sexual harassment, cultural diversity, and
Microsoft windows, word, excel, outlook, and power point software applications
National Safety Council & NUCA Continuing Education
Completed courses for the following National Safety Council and National Utilities Contractors
workplace safety certifications:
• Defensive Driving DDC -4 Instructor • Bloodborne Pathogens Instructor
• Permit Required Confined Spaces • Respirator & Fit Tester
• Maintenance of Traffic - Intermediate • Competent Person - Excavations
OTHER RELEVANT EDUCATION
• Florida Department of Community Affairs - Florida Accessibility Code for Building
Construction Certificate
• Florida Insurance Commissioner Certificate of Qualification and License (Non- active)
• Florida Division of Real Estate Salesperson License (Non- active)
• FEMA - National Incident Management System Certificate
• Certified Insurance Councilors - Multiple Management Courses and Graduate Seminars
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• International City/County Management Association
• Florida City/County Management Association
• Certified Risk Managers International
• Central Florida Public Risk and Insurance Managers Association
• Space Coast Public Personnel and Risk Managers Association
• , Professional Insurance Agents of Florida