Anthony Alongi Email & Phone Number

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Manage and administer planning, policy, and performance measurement activities of a large state agency.Serve as Commissioner’s primary resource for strategic planning, goal setting, and management development.Lead the agency teams charged with strategic planning, performance measurement, continuous improvement, data practices, data governance, rule-making coordination, records management, and information services. Provide staff support to government and legislative relations.Work with the agency’s Budget Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner’s Office to ensure successful preparation of agency policy and budget proposals for Governor’s Office and state legislative consideration.Represent the Commissioner and agency on the state’s Business First Stop initiative, which coordinates economic development strategies across nine major agencies.Establish policies and procedures for agency-wide activities (e.g., risk assessment).Manage key, sensitive projects for the agency at the request of the Commissioner’s Office involving significant change/risk management.Key accomplishments:Rebuilt agency’s Internal Audit capacity as Interim Manager and repositioned the team for long-term success;Conducted program evaluation and led continuous improvement projects that dramatically increased the effectiveness of the agency’s Creative Services Unit, incl. planning, intake, fulfillment, and reporting procedures;Redesigned and led the agency’s annual risk assessment and management process (M.S. 16A.057);Redesigned and relaunched the agency’s accountability structure, including the methodology for identifying agency priorities, setting strategic and operational goals, and reporting progress; andContinue to serve as mentor, coach, and/or consultant to DNR and several other agencies on topics of change management, continuous improvement, emotional intelligence, and leadership.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Served as local elected official representing ward of over 5,000 residents, and served the best interests of a city with over 22,000;Educated self and constituents on issues;Kept promises to constituents;Chaired the public safety committee and oversee the implementation of a ground-breaking strategic plan for fire/rescue operations which included unprecedented new scale in full-time and part-time staff, integration with county operations, and improved accountability structures;Chaired the planning committee and led the city’s cutting-edge efforts in economic development and redevelopment, comprehensive planning, affordable housing, public transportation access, and arts and tourism as economic driver;Chaired the administrative committee and lead the recruitment and hiring process for several key senior positions including the City Administrator, Assistant City Administrator, and Parks & Recreation Director;Served on the finance committee, recently working during crisis years to pass a $25M budget including no average tax increase for Hastings residents and no substantial service cuts;Represented the city before media (television, radio, internet) and ensure successful public relations during both proactive strategic messaging campaigns and responsive crisis management;Service as Acting Mayor as necessary;Kept every campaign promise made and establish a service record that led to sustained citywide satisfaction ratings of over 80 percent, and design and implement strategies for three straight successful election/re-election campaigns.Left this position voluntarily, in part to keep a campaign promise (no more than three terms), and remain undefeated in all electoral campaigns.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Provided strategic leadership to the state for public services to tens of thousands of Minnesotans, with an annual portfolio of $60M-$100M.Worked collaboratively with the Commissioner’s Office; Governor’s Office; and federal, state, and local elected officials and staff to respond to economic crises.Represented the agency and State and served as the agency’s and State’s primary SME for high profile economic news events, including announcements of mass layoffs at hundreds of companies over a decade which included the Great Recession.Developed and implemented agency-wide and program-specific strategies, policies, and procedures in conjunction with appropriate staff for issues of layoff response, economic crises, and workforce recovery.Managed projects and communicated progress during complex and high-profile economic crises before the legislature, media, and public.Managed grant-making, grant administration, and other operations of a complex unit with multiple programs and funds.Key accomplishments:Met or exceeded all assertive performance goals every year for each and every program under my authority (outperformed national average by 15+ percent);Implemented a new competitive grants program to increase economic equity in Minnesota;Initiated and completed multiple successful efforts to increase outreach to and success with immigrant and Native American populations via program services;Led as sponsor, facilitator, or team member for multiple kaizen initiatives agency-wide;Built and maintained strong, positive, and long-term relationships with federal officials, state partners, city and county governments, businesses, organized labor, media, and non-profit organizations; Earned a reputation throughout the agency as a strong leader who hired diversity and excellence from within and outside the public sector.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Supported the director in the strategic planning and management of day-to-day operations of the unit;Prepared and presented written policy materials regarding unit programs to Commissioner and others;Communicated innovative new policy and procedures with government, business, and non-profit stakeholders;Negotiated assertive and achievable performance goals with federal, state, and local officials.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Secured the agency’s $500m biennial budget and policy initiatives via executive and legislative process;Developed and implemented legislative strategy for the agency;Presented the agency’s biennial budget priorities to the legislature, served as the primary resource for questions on the agency on fiscal and budget matters, and wrote all agency narratives for Governor's budget;Generated fiscal analyses of proposed legislation (e.g., new revolving loan funds) and administrative initiatives (e.g., office move and consolidation); and recommended agency action to the Commissioner and Governor’s Office;Facilitated focus groups of the organization's customers (including business executives, community leaders, and individuals) and generated findings and recommendations for service redesign and improvement. (Agency was named Economic Security during my time in this position.)

Internationally Published (U.S., Germany, Etc.)

Wrote the fun and adventurous fantasy Jennifer Scales series with my wife, MaryJanice Davidson. Conducted customer outreach across three different continents. Made readers happy.

Published Globally

Wrote weekly articles for a card strategy game on the official Wizards of the Coast website. Corresponded with thousands of customers and participated in outreach and marketing strategies.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Provided content analysis and leadership for the organization's public policy efforts. Managed partnerships with appropriate state agencies, non-profit organizations, and other organizations on specific public policy initiatives. Conducted site research on best practices for business innovation strategies. Wrote key organizational products such as annual report and briefings to legislature. (Organization was named Minnesota Technology during my time there.)

Greater Boston Area

Wrote successful grant proposals to a wide range of corporate and private foundations to support specific projects and the overall work of the $4 million organization. Provided facilitation and technical assistance to community and policy leaders in Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and other urban areas-as well as states including Delaware, Louisiana, and New Hampshire-over periods of two to five years. Designed, wrote, and edited legislative summaries, policy briefs, research reports, and other technical assistance material for clients on system change, new models of work and learning, and new organizational and governance structures. Conducted and wrote up research on local, state, and federal policies relating to economic development, workforce development, and education reform. Managed project budgets while supervising and training multiple staff across the organization on projects.

Mpp, Science And Technology Policy

B.A., Economics

Activities and Societies: drama, music, journalism, editorial