Raymond Hess Email & Phone Number

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Las Vegas, Nevada Area

Responsible for the oversight of the Metropolitan Planning Organization & Southern Nevada Strong teams:• Lead the implementation of Southern Nevada Strong with assistance from four employees and dozens of community partner organizations. This region-wide initiative focuses on improving economic competitiveness and education; investing in complete communities; and increasing transportation choice;• Lead the Metropolitan Planning Organization with assistance from twelve employees and local, state, and federal partners to ensure the region is compliant with federal rules and that planning is comprehensive and continuous;• Working with a blue ribbon commission, established priorities for the region which provided a strategic framework for the successful passage of a $3 billion tax initiative;• Brokered a deal that will bring an addition $5 million in federal funds annually to the Las Vegas region;• Oversaw the advancement of transparency and accountability through a new project prioritization and selection process, including a new online data sharing platform;• Manage a $1.8 million planning initiative to identify the region’s future transit network. The plan will link the land use and transportation needs of Southern Nevada and encourage new development patterns such as transit oriented development;• Improved communication outside of the department with the creation of an annual summit, new websites, quarterly newsletters, annual accomplishment reports, and social media postings;• Make presentations regularly to local, state, and national audiences;• Oversee an annual operating budget of over $5 million;• Serve on the Labor Management Team which is tasked with maintaining a positive relationship between the union and management;• Serve on the Board of Directors for the national Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations;• Named 2016 “40 under 40” by Vegas Inc. for leadership and commitment to the community;

Responsible for the oversight of a team of five motivated employees in the Planning and Programming division of the Metropolitan Planning Organization which serves the Las Vegas Valley, Clark County and its +2 million residents:• Working with staff, consultants, and community stakeholders to implement the Southern Nevada Strong Regional Plan, a comprehensive plan to improve economic competitiveness and education, invest in complete communities, and increase transportation choice;• Programmed over $50 million annually in federal funds in coordination and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies;• Oversaw the development of the Transportation Improvement Program which programmed over $1.9 billion in projects over 5 years;• Oversaw the development of the Regional Transportation Plan which programmed over $8.5 billion in projects over 20+ years;• Oversaw an operating budget of more than $5 million annually in the Unified Planning Work Program;• Formulated an innovative program delivery strategy to advance construct over $200 million for the Boulder City Bypass (future I-11);• Managed the development of creative solutions to transportation challenges in documents such as the Coordinated Transportation Plan, the Washington Avenue Complete Streets Study, and the Community Mobility Study for Downtown Las Vegas Phase II;• Regularly gave presentations at local and state conferences on the RTC's best practices (e.g. APA-NV State Planning Conference, and Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Conference);• Named the Engineering Honoree by the Safe Community Partnership (2014) for pedestrian safety.

Responsible for the management and operation of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, its committees, and compliance with State and Federal regulations:• Developed the Transportation Improvement Program which programmed $90 million in projects over 4 years;• Managed an operating budget of more than $330,000 annually in the Unified Planning Work Program;• Coordinated disparate interests in the development & adoption of the Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems Architecture, Coordinated Human Service Public Transportation Plan, & feasibility studies;• Developed an award-winning Complete Streets Policy, the first in Indiana;• Improved transparency, accountability, & public participation with amendments to the Operational Bylaws, the Public Participation Plan, & innovative web presence & social networking;• Received a manager certificate and professional manager certificate from the City;• Involved in the launch of the Indiana University’s car share and bike share programs and the City’s bike pool program;• Regularly gave presentations at state conferences on Bloomington’s innovative approaches to be bicycle and pedestrian friendly (e.g. MPO Conference, Road School, SRTS conference, Bike Summit);• Testified before Transportation Committee of the Indiana Legislature on proposed Complete Streets legislation;• Awarded "Big Brother of the Year" in 2011 by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana.

Bloomington, Indiana Area

Responsible for promoting bicycling and walking as viable modes of transportation:• Staffed the Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Committee & reviewed development proposals for bike/ped amenities;• Obtained redesignation of the City of Bloomington as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists and designation of the City as a Bicycle Friendly Business;• Co-authored an innovative strategy to improve the City's bicycle friendliness;• Taught adult and adolescent bicycling safety classes as a League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor (LCI); • Formed & managed the Monroe County Safe Routes To School Task Force, recognized as a model in Indiana because of its success in garnering over $700,000 in grant funds;• Developed & managed the content of Planning Department webpages.

Brooksville, Fl

Responsible for the revitalization of a community through economic development, smart growth, multi-modal transportation, and cultural & special events planning:• Procured over a quarter million dollars in grant funding for a multi-use trail project;• Awarded employee recognition awards for outstanding service (2002) & community outreach (2004);• Developed local ordinances (e.g. Temporary Use/Structure, Bed & Breakfast, Sexually Oriented Businesses); • Organized special events downtown such as farmer's markets, classic car cruise-ins, and a concert series to help support local businesses;• Conducted public surveys, analyzed results, & made presentations to civic groups and City Council.

Ouangolodougou, Cote D'Ivoire

Responsible for cultural and technical exchange as part of U.S. Government sponsored team to spearhead the Peace Corps’ first presence in the northern Ivorian town of Ouangolodougou:• Worked with local populations to identify problems & solutions which could be sustained with localresources;• Implemented cultural exchange initiatives (e.g. English conversation club, women’s rights sensitizations);• Implemented technical exchange initiatives (e.g. solid waste management, medical waste incinerator);• Obtained fluency in French and learned basic communication skills in the local language, Djoula.

Masters In Public Affairs, Public Management

Bachelor Of Arts, Environmental Policy

Activities and Societies: President of the College of Natural Resources and the Environment, "Earth Team" Intern with Natural Resources.

Associate Of Arts

Activities and Societies: Dean's List, Vice-President of DeGraff Hall Dormitory, Leadership Conference Attendee