Deb Sutherland Email & Phone Number

United States

Sutherland Solutions provides insightful guidance to public entities seeking to solve pressing social, economic, and governmental problems.Our leadership and expertise will help you in three key areas:Regional CollaborationWe'll help you forge the partnerships and alliances essential to economic development, regional growth, and sustainability.Operational EfficiencyWe'll lead you through strategic planning with an emphasis on cost savings and best practices that… Show more Sutherland Solutions provides insightful guidance to public entities seeking to solve pressing social, economic, and governmental problems.Our leadership and expertise will help you in three key areas:Regional CollaborationWe'll help you forge the partnerships and alliances essential to economic development, regional growth, and sustainability.Operational EfficiencyWe'll lead you through strategic planning with an emphasis on cost savings and best practices that deliver measurable results.Strategic AdvocacyWe'll guide you through the county, state,and federal landscape. From municipal projects to policy issues, rally support when it matters.Recent projects include a comprehensive non-bargaining unit staffing study for the City of Shaker Heights, Ohio and a comparative analysis of compensation and benefits for the City of Strongsville, Ohio. Show less

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Chair the Legislative Committee of 12 mayors providing bipartisan advocacy for or against issues affecting municipalities. Work directly with lobbyists to educate, inform, and persuade legislators. Testify frequently in front of both Ohio House and Senate subcommittees. Have worked on the following issues: defeat of the Tax Expenditure Limitation legislation, worked with a state-wide coalition to reduce local impact of state-initiated local income tax reform, and currently… Show more Chair the Legislative Committee of 12 mayors providing bipartisan advocacy for or against issues affecting municipalities. Work directly with lobbyists to educate, inform, and persuade legislators. Testify frequently in front of both Ohio House and Senate subcommittees. Have worked on the following issues: defeat of the Tax Expenditure Limitation legislation, worked with a state-wide coalition to reduce local impact of state-initiated local income tax reform, and currently co-chairing a state-wide effort to educate legislators on the fiscal fallout on local government from the Great Recession. Show less

Cleveland, Ohio

Chair committee tasked with advocacy at both the state and federal level. Instrumental in raising awareness with legislative delegations of the critical nature of infrastructure investment in Northeast Ohio.

Bay Village, Ohio

Longest serving Mayor in the history of Bay Village, managing a workforce of 101 full-time employees, a $27M budget and representing 15,450 residents. Upgraded Moody's bond rating from AA3 to AA1 during a very challenging economy. Sixteen years of Unqualified Opinions by the Auditor of State and recognized for excellence in financial reporting.Widely recognized as a leader in regional collaboration and innovative government, including: *creating and implementing a regional… Show more Longest serving Mayor in the history of Bay Village, managing a workforce of 101 full-time employees, a $27M budget and representing 15,450 residents. Upgraded Moody's bond rating from AA3 to AA1 during a very challenging economy. Sixteen years of Unqualified Opinions by the Auditor of State and recognized for excellence in financial reporting.Widely recognized as a leader in regional collaboration and innovative government, including: *creating and implementing a regional central dispatch, *various joint procurement projects, *jointly developed a 10 acre retention basin and park with Avon Lake * led efforts to win $100,000 grant for a regional fire district study and the implementation of recommendations to improve operational efficiencySuccessfully lobbied county, state, and federal officials in 2009 for over $3 million in outside funding for municipals projects, safety services, and a local non-profit. Also was instrumental in forging a compromise on oil and gas legislation between local mayors, the Ohio General Assembly, and the ODNR.Initiated and oversaw the renovation and creation of the first new retail center in a generation.Led sustainability efforts through construction projects including geothermal heating and the establishment of the Mayor's Green Team.New $2.7M Family Aquatic Center opened in 2004 on time and under budget.New $8.0 Police Station opened in 2006. The project was delayed and came in about $1.0M over budget due to hitting a municipal landfill during construction. Streamlined personnel, professionalized hiring practices, developed Employee Handbook.Leveraged significant capital investments through partnerships with the County Engineer. Partnered with Westlake and the County Engineer to improve the Bradley/Naigle intersection.All projects were completed without raising taxes. Show less

Sponsored significant legislation such as Fair Housing and the new Cluster Housing Zoning Code. Led efforts to establish a Tree Commission with the mission of public tree planting to preserve the mature urban forest.Member of planning, tree commissions and architectural board of reviewLed efforts to revitalize the commercial areas of Bay Village.Part of the leadership team that established Bay Family Services which led to Bay being the first city in a juvenile court pilot… Show more Sponsored significant legislation such as Fair Housing and the new Cluster Housing Zoning Code. Led efforts to establish a Tree Commission with the mission of public tree planting to preserve the mature urban forest.Member of planning, tree commissions and architectural board of reviewLed efforts to revitalize the commercial areas of Bay Village.Part of the leadership team that established Bay Family Services which led to Bay being the first city in a juvenile court pilot project for non-felony offences.Subcommittees included Service & Contracts, Environment & Safety, Planning, Public Buildings, and Labor Negotiations. Boards and Appointments Show less

Worked with the Mayors of 57 communities representing 1.3 million people to reach bipartisan solutions to pressing social, economic and governmental problems.Reestablished a relationship with the Association and the Mayor of Cleveland.Advanced the cause of regionalism by working diligently to secure approval of "Principles of Revenue Sharing" which became the basis for Mayor Jackson's Water Service Agreement. Sponsored the first Green Building Practices forum for… Show more Worked with the Mayors of 57 communities representing 1.3 million people to reach bipartisan solutions to pressing social, economic and governmental problems.Reestablished a relationship with the Association and the Mayor of Cleveland.Advanced the cause of regionalism by working diligently to secure approval of "Principles of Revenue Sharing" which became the basis for Mayor Jackson's Water Service Agreement. Sponsored the first Green Building Practices forum for municipalities.Worked closely with the business community to develop an economic redevelopment plan for the return of grey fields to productive use or as incentives to attract business to the region.Marshaled bipartisan mayoral support for the Med Mart Initiated and established a broad NEO coalition to defeat the TEL Amendment.Worked collaboratively with other elected officials to negotiate the Avon Interchange impasse resulting in approval of the project with a revenue sharing component affecting communities from Elyria to Cleveland, the largest of its kind in our region. Significantly raised the profile of the Mayors & Managers Association through inclusion, advocacy, and leadership on issues important to NEO such as residency, the statewide cable franchise bill, and eminent domain. Show less

Michael Kosmetos & Assocs, Executive Recruitment specializing in retail.

Master Of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Administration, 3.98

Ba, Fashion Merchandising

Worked and/or raised family while attending classes.

College Prep