Brian Abernathy Email & Phone Number

Pelham Advisors is a management consulting firm advising public and nonprofit sector clients on change management, organizational architecture, strategic planning, and policy enhancements. Sample projects include:- Assessed the current state of a non-profit service provider that merged with another, doubling in size, and made recommendations for change management, strategy, organizational structure, and staffing. Provide ongoing coaching and support for executive and leadership staff.- Provide subject matter expertise to a small, poor city through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Distressed City Technical Assistance Program that includes budget development, the creation of new financial systems, policies and controls, and new human resource tools to better manage city staff.- Develop a strategic plan for a small commercial corridor while managing disparate stakeholder perspectives. Work included surveys, interviews, and focus groups. - Assist a town in their development of a public art funding plan including recommending revenue mechanisms and budget priorities.

Full-service public strategies firm representing clients’ interests in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Represent more than $4 billion in real estate development projects and assist in securing land use entitlements, local and state permits, and community engagement. Identify and secure local, state, and federal funding streams. Analyze and shepherd legislation and engage legislators on key issues.

Boston, Ma, Us

Global consultancy with 63 offices in 38 countries.Hired as an industry expert in municipal operations. Advise Middle Eastern municipal government on licensing and permitting processes and best practices.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

6th largest municipality in the United States with 1.5 million people and an operating budget of $5.2 billion.City and County manager overseeing day-to-day operations. Hired to lead criminal justice reform, efforts to reduce chronic homelessness, and stem opioid addiction. Oversaw over 30 operating departments, $4.8B departmental budgets, and 20,000 employees in Public Safety, Criminal Justice; Transportation and Infrastructure; Health and Human Services; Community Services; and Community and Culture. Directed key capital investments in an $11B 6-year capital plan. Principal member of the COVID-19 response team. Created $350M in savings in response to the Covid-19 crisis.• Developing Real Estate: Led the City team that resulted in the transition of oil and gas refinery property the size of Center City Philadelphia for use by logistics and healthcare businesses, generating over 20,000 jobs during the next 10 years.• Reducing Homelessness: Led initiatives that reduced the on-street population of homeless people in Philadelphia to less than 1,000, the lowest of the top ten cities in the U.S. Decreased family homelessness by 25%. Created a public-private consortium to address homelessness that has raised over $1M since inception.• Reducing Opioid Addiction: Increased mobile and 24/7 treatment options, designed new protocols for police officers, installed 1000 LED streetlights, removed 375 tons of trash and 600 abandoned vehicles, and launched a treatment availability database.• Increasing Police Accountability: Implemented the largest body-worn camera roll-out in the United States, equipping 4000 officers, published a Complaints Against Police online database, and expanded the Police Advisory Committee to review police operations.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Hired to restructure the entire senior administrative structure of the City and implement the largest investment in the City’s parks and recreation centers in decades. Managed 7 direct reports, 15,000 employees, and 24/7 operations. Brought together leaders across over 30 departments to break-down silos, resolve disagreements, alleviate political obstacles, and manage crises. Managed Public Safety and Criminal Justice Cluster, including Police, Fire, Licenses and Inspections, Emergency Management, Prisons, Offices of Criminal Justice, and Violence Prevention. • Organizational Restructuring: Established a new organizational and reporting structure that demanded accountability and transparency in each Department’s operations. Went from six departments, a $35M budget, and 150 employees to a new reporting structure that included 5 operating clusters with more than 30 departments and 20,000 employees.• Large-Scale Public Events: Led public safety agencies and supporting departments for the Democratic National Convention, National Football League Draft Experience, Made in America Concert, Welcome America! July 4th Celebration and other large events with no major incidents, injuries, or arrests.• Infrastructure Development: Navigated the politics and led the implementation of the $400M Rebuilding Community Infrastructure program, the largest revitalization of the City’s over 400 parks, recreation centers, and libraries in a generation.

Philadelplhia, Pa, Us

Economic development and land management agency of the City of Philadelphia specializing in the management, acquisition, and disposition of real estate assets and housing finance with nearly 70 employees, net assets of $86.5 million, and total assets of $206 million. Hired to lead this agency through crisis as it navigated strained political relationships, significant budget and union contract issues, and high, ongoing turnover. Managed 4 direct reports with a total team of 70. Provided operational leadership, oversaw fiscal stewardship, identified business opportunities, and spearheaded strategic direction and growth plans. • Developing Real Estate: Negotiated agreements and facilitated the development of multiple major projects, including the Gallery Mall, a $300M redevelopment of 1M square feet of retail space. Provided last-in financing for the restoration of the historic Divine Lorraine Hotel with 77 apartment units. Balanced the agency’s $12M budget for the first time in 15years.• Negotiating Contracts: Achieved the first approved collective bargaining agreement in 10 years, winning healthcare and pension reforms. • Solving Complex Problems: Successfully completed the $320M Neighborhood Transformation Initiative consisting of tax-exempt bond proceeds, taxable bond proceeds, state and federal grant dollars, and recycled liens and land sales. Resolved badly mismanaged and inaccurate accounting practices, saving the city a potential liability of over $10M.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Hired to help the new Managing Director navigate relationships in a political context with which he was unfamiliar. Oversaw a $35.5M budget. Provided leadership for administrative departments, including Human Resources, Public Property Records, Innovation & Technology, Procurement, and Fleet, with over 150 employees.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Theatre And Political Science

Masters Of Business Administration

Graduate Certificate, Strategic Leadership