Abigail Riley Email & Phone Number

Working with departments to identify, analyze, prioritize and evaluate needs.Providing professional consultation and guidance to departments in formulating budgetrequests, estimating costs, and projecting revenues.Developing recommendations in response to questions from directors, city management,and City Council by analyzing financial, staffing and other data.Supporting significant interdepartmental projects and plans by assessing financial andorganizational impact.Gathering and analyzing information for annual projects, including data for benchmarking,changes to fees and charges, and the cost allocation plan.Reviewing departmental and capital project budgets during the fiscal year, includingrequests for budget revisions and amendments.Developing and preparing internal and external reporting, including budget documents,presentations, staff reports and other publicly available information about city services andprojects.Manipulates data and develops a command of the Financial, Budgeting and HumanResources ERP systems, as well as other systems.Conducts analysis to identify and recommend process improvements, prepare reports onadministrative and financial issues, provide recommendations on program design,development and implementation.Uses analysis of internal and external trends, pressures and changes to forecast revenuesand expenses over the short, medium and long range; develop models for analysis withmultiple variables.Independently coordinates and conducts special projects to recommend prioritizedstrategic options in collaboration with Department staff.

Envisioned and created the Business Services Division to operate as a team and manage, improve, and evaluate the business functions (including equity & inclusion; performance management; strategic planning; budget management and analysis; data and software management and analysis; human resources and payroll; purchasing and contracting; accounts payable and receivable) of the Asheville Fire DepartmentPlanned and coordinated hiring, on-boarding, training, evaluation, and support of the new Business Services staff and teamBuilt and managed Business Services staff and team work plansSupervised the Business Services Division's administrative and data management staffManaged business planning functions including the Asheville Fire Department's strategic plan and creating an equity and inclusion toolkit; forecasting budget needs; connecting the budget to outcomes and goalsLed project management initiatives to coordinate activities, staff, outputs, outcomes, and evaluation of new and existing projects across department divisions and functionsManaged, analyzed, and reported department data across software platforms, department divisions, and functions; used the data to inform decision making at every level of the organizationUsed the techniques of LEAN to improve multiple policies and processes within the Department that increased communication and efficiency while meeting the needs of the Department, its staff, and its external stakeholdersSpearheaded the equity and inclusion changes within the Department that includes facilitating the Equity and Inclusion Team meetings, outputs, outcomes, and goals while also infusing equity in the purchasing and contracting processes within the DepartmentFacilitated process improvement workshops; budget simulations and presentations; and department-wide meetings and trainingsParticipated in City-wide and cross-department teams focused on performance management and equity and inclusion

Managed the $28 million budget for the Asheville Fire Department, which included envisioning, building, and compiling information, benchmarks, reports, analysis, and introduced new and improved budget-based communication methodsWorked as a member of the Budget Team and communicated effectively to all departments, their directors, and City Manager personnelAssisted in the writing and analysis of the annual budget process and documentsManaged all contracting functions within the Asheville Fire Department to include negotiation, scope building, minority business outreach, vendor identification, and evaluationDirected all purchasing functions including vendor management and communication; requisitions; accounts payable; and problem-solvingParticipated in and presented at high level meetings and discussions with the Finance and Asheville Fire Departments and City Council committees to help inform decision makingResearched and wrote City Council Staff reports and resolutions for Asheville Fire Department communications and needsManaged Federal grant funds, reporting, and all associated process and documentation needsSpearheaded and project managed changes to physical space improvements that included evaluation, needs assessment, planning, and recognizing the proximity of teams to assist in aligning organizational goals and increase efficienciesLed special projects assigned by the Fire Chief and others including Fire Department staffing and position cost benefit analysis and accreditation tasks that includes business function and budget analysis

Asheville, Nc

Mapped and evaluated current business processes to provide a foundation for defining business activities and to further develop procedures, models, and operation processExamined the business unit’s activities and trends, compared analysis against the service standards and best practices, presented findings, and worked with department leadership to identify and implement strategies to address tactical and strategic goals.Assisted in the development of performance measures, including designing methods to gather performance data, analyzing the data and developing action plans for business process managers understand the capabilities and effectiveness of processesAnalyzed resources (personnel, equipment, etc.) to design , develop, modify, enhance, and implement automated and non-automated solutions for refining business and management practices.Analyzed the effectiveness of current process to identify gaps in service, effectiveness, efficiency, designed new models, and recommended improvementsDesigned and deployed research methods (survey instruments, comment cards, focus groups) to receive feedback from customers and stakeholders and worked with department leadership to review results and determine appropriate responses.Provided training and orientation for staff when implementing new systemsIdentified training and development needs and communicated findingsWorked closely with Information technology personnel to identify and maximize opportunities to use technology to improve business practices and processesAssisted with budget process by analyzing and evaluating business processes, statistical and financial information, producing documentation and analysis.

Asheville, North Carolina Area

•Maintained department’s accreditation files and standards, including developing and maintaining department policies and procedures manuals•Monitored construction projects budgets including preparing and processing budget amendments and contract payments for capital improvement projects•Coordinated all grants including the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Community Development Block Grant, Tourism Product Development Fund, and North Carolina Department of Resources Recreation Trails Program•Coordinated special meetings, hearings, public information sessions, educational trainings, and conferences. Provided administrative support including making arrangements for locations, speakers, and other needed materials.•Composed, edit, and coordinated preparation of reports, correspondence, and other materials. Researched and compiled reports with benchmarks, facts, and recommendations for key Department and City personnel•Screened and routed projects according to content of communications to appropriate staff•Established and revised procedures and methods to enhance department productivity and efficiency and trained employees in changing procedures•Assisted in the maintenance of departmental personnel, financial, fixed asset, and budgetary activity records by gathering pertinent data, analyzing requests, and processing technical information.•Performed necessary research, compiled data, and prepared a variety of reports in accordance with goals and objectives•Collected applicable operational data from external organizations or professionals for reporting and analysis functions.•Created strategic plans for Department marketing and communications while updating and maintaining marketing outlets•Managed projects that required cooperation among multiple divisions and departments including improved communication flow to the public, grant administration, and Department reporting

Asheville, Nc

• Focused on customer interaction and satisfaction including addressing citizen and public concerns; accepting special projects from staff members; and ensuring satisfaction from all internal and external parties who interacted with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department• Created policies and procedures surrounding press for department events• Participated in the department’s business services activities including payroll, accounts receivables, and accounts payables• Created, edited, and reviewed new and existing documentation in order to define and design a policy and procedure manual, Board manuals, and a division job and responsibility function matrix • Compiled data and wrote executive reports on researched topics

Boone, Nc

• Compiled research for a university faculty member • Administered office functions such as customer service, answering telephones, scheduling meetings, processing mailing, and producing correspondence within the department and among other departments• Catalogued data on currently enrolled students to be used by the department for accreditation and future statistical uses

Raleigh, Nc

• Conducted primary research on the costs to and compiled the data for North Carolina for the implementation of the new Federal regulations for WIC food packages• Reviewed and analyzed financial aspects of food and nutrition policy for women and children in North Carolina

Chapel Hill, Nc

• Compiled, audited, and analyzed data in order to strengthen existing policies and regulations using databases and spreadsheets to reflect the found results• Conceptualized, designed, and implemented vital resource tools through the use of manuals, forms, and filing systems• Reevaluated and streamlined essential job functions• Supervised NC Medical License renewals and credentialing• Spearheaded the office’s new Medicare Reimbursement process and managed the collection of documents and credentials• Trained new employees on office functions and procedures

Mpa, Public Management & Non-Profit Management

Bachelor'S Degree, Business Administration And Management, General