Heather A. Johnston Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Denver, Colorado

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Keller, Texas

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Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States

• Led staff of 90 during transition after retirement of long-term City Manager, including developing an operational plan for COVID response• Charted a course for the future through development of a long-term financial direction and draft strategic plan

* Provide leadership for all staff in the conduct and execution of the duties of City Manager* Ensure the development of an effective municipal organization, including structural changes as appropriate* Support Department Directors in planning and coordinating Division activities Ensure effective management of the City’s financial affairs* Provide professional support to the City Council, including attending meetings and presenting recommendations concerning policies and objectives* Communicate significant matters to City Council* Frame significant policy issues to enable the City Council to provide policy direction * Ensure proper public relations and follow-up on customer concerns* Maintain effective relationships with community organizations and members* Keep informed of all legislative issues that may impact the City* Enforce and recommend changes to ordinances and resolutions

Burnsville, Mn

* Provide direction and recommendations on Citywide financial and budget issues* Provide leadership for the advancement of the City’s e-government capabilities* Serve on senior management team to provide strategic guidance to City Manager * Direct process for development and production of budget for the City of Burnsville* Provide leadership to promote efficient and effective service delivery in Information Technology, City Clerk, Communications, Community Services and Finance areas* General oversight of the development of City financial and measurement documents* Oversee public funding aspects of infrastructure and economic development projects* Ensure compliance with the City’s financial policies and plans* Serve on policy committees for the League of Minnesota Cities* Directed the development of training on topics ranging from grants management to implementation of new software* Supervise managers in financial accounting and operations, communications, community services and information technology* Lead Request For Proposal process for Burnsville Performing Arts Center (BPAC) management and provide staff support for BPAC Advisory Commission

* Served as Interim Chief Financial Officer for five months* Provided executive level direction for the Finance Department and on Citywide financial issues* Directed process for development and production of budget for the City of Minneapolis* Supervised employees in Management and Budget Division* Advised departments and elected officials on financial issues, including developing creative solutions to financial challenges* Managed debt management policies and bond issuances, including providing leadership in relationships with bond rating agencies and efforts to restore and retain the City’s Aaa credit rating* Communicated rationale for financial decisions to elected officials, the public and other parties* Served as Deputy Finance Officer and perform duties of Chief Financial Officer in his absence * Led City’s efforts on reforming closed pension plans, including testifying in court on behalf of City * Responded to inquiries from the public and press related to City’s budget* Identified areas for City-wide financial analysis and direct work of staff on analysis* Presented information to rating agencies in support of the City’s debt issuance* Initiated changes to and implement City financial policies* Supported Intergovernmental Relations in work with Legislature on financial issues affecting the City* Worked with federal officials on securing reimbursement under emergency declarationAccomplishments:- Served as City’s staff lead for the City on implementation of Library Board merger into the Hennepin County system- Led reimbursement process with the federal government on the 35W Bridge collapse- Served as primary staff on merger of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund into state plan

Monitored and analyzed programs and budgets related to K-12 higher education programs Led working groups, including development of statewide financial policy on grant managementMentored and trained new employees, including updating training manualSupervised Education & State Government team during Team Leader's absenceWrote decision papers for policy makers and informational materials for the public Initiated policy analyses K-12 and higher education finance issues and developed options for improvementCommunicated financial and education policies to state agencies, the legislature, and the publicCreated division Intranet pages and served on the department planning committeeServed on several inter- and intra-departmental working groups and committeesReceived highest rating on Finance Department performance reviews every yearServed as a volunteer Mediator, helping state employees resolve disputes as a part of the Minnesota State Workplace Mediation Program

Analyzed and monitored programs and budgets within the General Services Administration (GSA)Communicated Administration policies on D.C. criminal justice issues to agencies and the publicInitiated and wrote policy analyses of programs in GSA’s Federal Supply and Technology ServicesSupervised graduate intern, including overseeing projects and analysisSpoke to groups about OMB, including recruiting quality applicants for employmentReceived Division Superior Achievement Awards, 1996-97 and 1997-98

Supervised production and editorial staff, including paid and unpaid positionsMade decisions on production, formulation, and publication of refereed journalCollaborated with editors and authors throughout the editorial process

Identified NPR priorities and researched legislative status and history of proposalsAttended and reported on Congressional hearings

Edited committee reports and floor amendmentsCommunicated with Senators and staff on legislative languageProcessed gubernatorial nominations and recorded legislative approval of appointees

Mpa, Budget & Public Expenditure Analysis

Ba, Political Science & Communication