Assist Nonprofit organizations to pursue and acquire private foundation resources. Train nonprofit boards of directors in strategic planning and policy development. Research Federal government programs to identify resources for community development and housing. Lead company’s efforts to provide information and advice to client companies, regarding the acquisition of government resources. Assist clients in understanding the local and national marketplace in order to raise funds and improve the delivery of services to their customers.

Senior Consultant focusing on government relations for private sector companies, cities, and states. Business development for Witt Associates emergency management services and products. Liaison to Congressional committee members regarding emergency management, disaster recovery, community development and other Witt client goals.

Researched Foundations and Federal government programs to identify resources for community development and housing. Led the company’s efforts to provide information and advice to client companies, regarding the acquisition of government and financial resources. Assisted clients in understanding the local and national marketplace in order to raise funds and improve the delivery of services to their customers. Conducted business development activities for James Lee Witt Associates.

Generated broad based organizational and individual participation from former appointees of President Bill Clinton in the roll-out of major policy announcements by the campaign. Recruited state and local officials to support the campaign through endorsements and using their political organizations to get out the vote during the primary. Advised Senator Hillary Clinton on policy issues regarding housing, rural development policy, minority outreach, and community development banking. Interviewed with radio, print and television regarding the operation of the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign.

Served on the management committee of the first and largest community development bank holding company in the United States. Along with other management committee members, was responsible for the overall policy, strategy, and business planning for the bank holding company. Led the governmental and community affairs activities of the corporation, which resulted in positive and strong support by federal, state and local officials, as well as community-based organizations.Led the recruitment of top personnel, career development, diversity and employee evaluation programs of the corporation resulting in an overall increase in employee satisfaction, expanded diversity, and increased retention of top managers. Led the development of a new marketing program for the corporation and its affiliates resulting in increased bank deposits, new business borrowers, expanded service areas, and community support in our major markets. Represented and spoke for the corporation at major local, national and international conferences regarding community development banking, micro-business development, and housing development.

Successfully directed the recruitment, nomination and appointment process for approximately 11,000 full and part-time federal non-career appointees, who served as cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, senior managers, U.S. Marshall, U.S. attorneys and members of board and commissions. Led the effort to recruit the most diverse group of Presidential appointees in the history of the United States. Consulted with key Senators and Congressmen on an ongoing basis regarding presidential nominations, and confirmations, which resulted in positive relations and an increase in successful confirmations. Reorganized the engagement with democrats and Republicans in U. S. Congress resulting in increased positive relations and support for President Clinton’s nominees. Worked with the White House Office of General Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations to complete tax and background checks on potential presidential nominees. Held Federal top secret security clearance.

Senior adviser to the Secretary of Agriculture focusing on improving the effectiveness of policies and programs impacting the growth and development of rural communities in the United States.Managed USDA’s Small Community and Rural Development programs by providing loans, grants and equity investments in rural areas of the United States for business development, housing, water, sewer, telephone, electric, and community facilities. Oversight and responsibility for 12,000 federal employees, 50 state offices, over 2,500 local offices and an $8 billion dollar per year budget. Board member of USDA’s $100 million Commodity Credit Corporation, which supports and protects farm income and prices. Chairman of the Rural Telephone Bank Board, responsible for authorizing loans to rural telephone cooperatives, which resulted in restructured loans and reduced delinquencies. Led the development of USDA’s reorganized rural development program, Enterprise Zones designations, departmental downsizing and new housing development program. Served as special adviser to President Clinton on rural development issues.

Directed the operation of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA), a $3 billion quasi-public multi-purpose finance authority, which financed housing, economic development, communications and public facilities. Hired investment bankers, trustees, financial advisers, and bond lawyers, as well as negotiated fees and terms to accomplish a variety of housing and economic development programs. Made presentations to bond rating agencies in New York, regarding ADFA bond issues. Maintained strong bond rating on financing programs. Prepared legislation and testified before the state legislature to expand and improve the capacity of ADFA to provide long-term fixed rate financing for public and private projects. The result was increase lending authority and infusion of new capital into the state of Arkansas. Accountable to the Governor of the State of Arkansas and a ten member private sector board

Served as primary economic policy adviser to the Governor of the State of Arkansas.Developed and recommended state policy in the areas of industrial recruitment, development finance, economic development, rural development, employment and training, applied research and technology, and small business development. Led effort to convince the Arkansas State Legislature to pass new economic policy and legislation resulting in the creation of new resources of capital and programs to create jobs and new business starts. Chaired the Governor’s Economic Development Policy Team.Served as key Governor’s liaison with eight (8) Planning and Development Districts, local Jobs Training Partnership Act (JTPA) service delivery areas, state and local chambers of commerce, Arkansas Home Builders Association, Agriculture Council, Arkansas Entrepreneurial Association, NAACP Fair Share Programs, Small Business Development Centers, Southern Development Bank Corporation, and private and non-profit economic development organizations. The result was increased support by these organizations for Governor’s policies and programs. Served as senior adviser to Governor Clinton on his economic development work with the National Governors Association, Southern Governors Association, Southern Growth Policy Board, and the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission.

Served as a vice president of a 140 million dollar foundation, primarily responsible for rural economic development, human services and education grant programs. Developed and implemented a capacity building and training program for grantees and their non-profit boards, which resulted in increased effectiveness and additional revenue sources. Co-Led as effort to create a statewide community foundation, designed to provide a vehicle for high net worth individuals and corporations to make grants for community needs without setting up their own foundation. Recommended, managed and evaluated grants to over two hundred not-for-profit organizations and public institutions. The result was an increase in the quantity and quality of community economic and educational programs in the State of Arkansas.