Volume IV July 2022
Inside This Issue: Forum Recap 2022 Spotlights Board Members Officers National Awards Academic Success Stories Members on the Move
SO.FLO STANDARD Bi-Monthly Email Newsletter
LEARN MORE From Our Partners 2022 ICMA Equity Summit Ready or Not! Moving from Discourse to Action
ABOUT EQUITY SUMMIT The 2022 ICMA Equity Summit will take place July 28-29, 2022 Equity is everyone’s business, whether you are a manager in local government, DEI professional, or doing the work without the title. This two-day event that will take deep dives on everything equity from allocations to zones where attendees can expect inspiration and encouragement to move from discourse to action, by learning from committed local government equity leaders who push forward on these profound issues. Attendees will have the opportunity to create and maintain relationships with like-minded professionals, as well as foster these relationships in a virtual environment. Register Online: https://icma.org/2022-icma-equity-summit
Save-the-Date LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Ready.. Set..
RESET
Redefining, Empowering, Strengthening, Educating & Transforming Leadership
Friday, October 21, 2022 Gehring Group Corporate Headquarters 3500 Kyoto Gardens Dr. Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Thank you to our sponsors!
A typical day in the life of a public servant in South Florida. They get up in the morning, and go to work. They log into their computer. They check their emails. They make a few phone calls or take part in some virtual conferences. Some log into phone queues, some log in to prepare to take payments over the counter. Being able to take advantage of the various technical equipment and services provided by their government entity which allows them to do their job is something most take for granted, but for the Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Director of Information Technology, it's different. They know fully that all systems used by our Public Safety Officers to connect to classified systems are their responsibility. They must keep the tools used to run government up and always running and commit to continually looking out for and safeguarding their organization from viruses, ransomware, and unauthorized access. They may call them geeks, but these highly trained professionals have years of technical training and experience to do their jobs. Getting the level of CIO in South Florida was not always common for minorities. Although many people had years of experience, they did not have the leadership skills. They did not have excellent mentors to guide them and champion their cause and they were not aware of the opportunities, so they could not take advantage of them. In March 2008, after serving as the Consultant responsible for all Technology in standing up their Police Department, Ron McKenzie was recruited by the City of Miami Gardens to become their first CIO. Mr. McKenzie is a New York born, Army Veteran who moved to the Washington, DC area, but the challenge to provide a positive change in Florida’s largest predominantly black city was an offer he could not refuse. Mr. McKenzie inherited a young team. No member of the team had any prior management or leadership experience. They were young and eager, but their mindset was limited, and their goals were to be great technicians.
THE TECHNOLOGY SENSEI AND THE GRASSHOPPERS
goal was to make each one of them a Sensei of their own school. He mentored and encouraged them and 14 years later, his mentoring has led to four (4) staff becoming CIOs of municipalities in South Florida, one (1) becoming Police Department IT Manager, two (3) becoming Cyber Security experts (two in government and one in the private sector). Besides still mentoring all these past employees, Mr. McKenzie has also served as a mentor to 5 other CIOs in South Florida. One of the most amazing things about this is that all these people that have advanced and that are serving as technology leaders in South Florida are Black or Hispanic. They are all minorities. He has changed the complexion and direction of what a successful and highly qualified IT Leader looks like in South Florida.
On his first day of work at the City of Miami Gardens, he met with his team and told them they When asked, “What is the driving factor in were all leaders. He stated similar to how things work when training in martial arts, he would be the your efforts to mentor staff from being technicians to become technology leaders?” Sensei and they would be grasshoppers, and his
Ron McKenzie, Chief Information Officer City of Deerfield Beach Mr. McKenzie says he is a non-traditional Information Technology leader. He was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. The South Bronx, Fort Apache to be exact. Dreams of being a CIO or becoming a technology leader seldom happen in the Bronx. In fact, Ron wanted to be a rapper, a DJ or a television announcer. He went to college and graduated with a degree in Mass Communications. Before he joined the Army, he had no desire to use computers. He was told he would do communications and later learned it was communications with radios and computers and teletypes. That became his introduction to running technology and technology teams. Mr. McKenzie states that while in the Army, he learned that every man on the team handles the team, accomplishing the mission. So, to have a truly effective team, everyone on the team must learn to lead and have a good grasp on not only the team’s mission, but the role of each team member on the team. That is the same philosophy he continues to live by, and his staff has responded accordingly. They have embraced becoming leaders and being mentored to grasp the bigger picture and a better understanding of the roles played by every player on the team. Now his mentees implement the same philosophy as they continue to build the technology leaders in Florida and beyond. Mr. McKenzie now serves as CIO for the City of Deerfield Beach, a position he has held for the past four years. He also serves on the Board of the Florida Local Government Information Systems Association as the Southeast District Director and a member of the NFBPA South Florida Chapter. He continues to serve as a leader and mentor for many of the technology professionals in Florida, especially in the Southeast section of the state. So, if you have a driven and passionate CIO or Director of Technology who does well at motivating his team, he or she just might be a Grasshopper from the school of McKenzie, building their own school of excellence.
FELLOWS REACHING NEW Fellows reaching new levels LEVELS by Greg Chavarria by Greg Chavarria
Amber Cabrera and Jeanneatta Maxena
The City of Fort Lauderdale partners with ICMA to host the local government management fellowship program. Recent master's degree graduates in public administration or related field eligible to apply and participate in the career development program. Two recent fellows have advanced to higher levels of public service. Meet Amber Cabrera and Jeanneatta Maxena, two fellows who joined the program in 2021. Jeannetta, a former Title I public school teacher, decided to change careers and pursue a path that would allow her to have a greater impact through policy design and implementation. Her background as a teacher aided her to assist local government and improve programs. She led efforts to improve citizen engagement for programs such as the lobby art gallery program, neighbor support web page, the neighborhood recognition program, and others. Her dedication and talent eventually landed her a new position as Assistant to the City Manager in the City of Mary Esther.
Similarly, Amber Cabrera, who has worked in the paralegal and litigation sector, felt compelled to enter public service. She applied for the fellowship program in Fort Lauderdale after receiving her MPA. She has had the opportunity to be a part of various municipal programs and projects that have supported the successful delivery of various initiatives since her start. Amber is grateful to the NFBPA and ICMA organizations for welcoming her into local government and helping her find a new job to support her family. Both fellows recently earned the ICMA Judy Kelsey award and have big dreams for continued growth and professional development. The award honors emerging women leaders who are part of a local ICMA local government management fellowship program. We are very excited about their outcomes and desire to lead through service.
TIPS FOR GROWTH Jeanetta Maxena recently earned a new role as Assistant to the City Manager for City of Mary Esther and won the 2022 FCCMA Past Presidents' Scholarship. Here's a one-onone interview with her as she shares six tips for success:
by Greg Chavarria and Jeannetta Maxena
1) Find a mentor. My on-site my mentor was Porshia Williams, and I had another mentor through ICMA Coach Connect, Ms. Chantal Gaines who is the Deputy City Manager at Palo Alto. They are both black women. It's important to learn how to navigate any industry and still be true to yourself. 2) Learn how to market with an elevator pitch, LinkedIn. Greg, I studied and how you market helped me.
yourself. Come up post regularly on your LinkedIn page yourself...that has
3) Make connections with the people you work with. You may at some point need a letter of recommendation or a reference. Junia Robinson, whom I worked with, certainly helped me. Whatever my colleagues asked for, I did it and they certainly noted that. 4) Join Professional Associations like NFBPA and ICMA. Their respective networks are a wealth of learning experiences. 5) Actually, do the work. I managed multiple programs and started to create new ones. No one can say I didn't do the work. Always document everything. 6) Research. I'm always looking for new opportunities even if I like my job.
Jeannetta Maxena Assistant to the City Manager
MEET ICMA FELLOW
Hi everyone! My name is Laura McCoy and I recently graduated with a masters from Florida International University’s Public Administration program. Currently, I am completing a two-year fellowship with the City of Fort Lauderdale after ranking as a finalist for the International City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) “Local Government Management Fellowship" program. As a Senior Management Fellow, I work under the City Manager’s Neighbor Support Division to provide quality service and support to all residents of Fort Lauderdale. Working in this position grants me exposure to exercise my passion of helping others and making a difference in the communities I serve. As I develop my professional career, I seek to network and partner with dedicated, enthusiastic, and passionate public administrators facilitating change in local government. Please feel free to contact me through any of the mediums below.
LAURA MCCOY, MPA, ICMA FELLOW CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE
Affiliations: National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Member Professional Development Committee International City/County Management Association, Member
NEW SOUTH FLORIDA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Carmen Davis, City Manager City of Lake Worth Beach
Most recently, from 2020 to 2021, Carmen served as the Chief Operating Officer with the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide healthcare for the undeserved and to promote economic and community development through strategic partners. She oversaw the day-to- day operations of six (6) departments and managed over 100 employees. As County Administrator of Hinds County, Mississippi from 2010 to 2019, Carmen was the first woman appointed in this position. During her tenure, Carmen was responsible for an operating budget of $115 million and oversaw 13 departments and direct reports, including a Central Personnel System of approximately 900 employees. She also supported 14 county elected officials by providing fiscal and administrative resources for their departments. Carmen was also instrumental in recovering a deficit budget during the recession of 2009 and increased cash reserve funds to $3.5 million during her leadership. Carmen’s local government management experience, along with her effective management and leadership style, led to the creation of innovative programs and processes. Her areas of expertise are organizational restructuring, personnel policy development and implementation, leadership/professional development, capital investment project management, and criminal justice program/policy development. Some of the programs she developed are pre- trial
services program, wellness and safety programs, record management/retention programs, and American Disabilities Act compliance office. From 1993 to 2009, Carmen served as a City Planner with the City of Detroit City Planning Commission and City Council where she authored zoning ordinances, zoning map amendments, city codes, and public policies on major urban issues as well as directed the preparation of recommended changes. Carmen has worked on progressive issues and projects related to residential, commercial, and industrial developments to address social, economic and physical impacts. Furthermore, Mrs. Davis has successfully improved community relations among community groups/ organizations, developers, and other stakeholders bringing collaboration, in addition to, consensus building. Carmen holds a Bachelor’s in Urban Planning and Geography and master’s degree in Business Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. She and her husband, Al, have been married for 27 years and have five children.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS STORY ACADEMIC SUCCESS STORY With a healthy dose of tenacity, compassion, commitment, ingenuity, dedication, integrity, and a love for family and community, Stephanie Thomas brings a wealth of experience to just about any role. A seasoned public sector professional with nearly two decades of service, Stephanie is the embodiment of infectious selflessness. It is no surprise then that this dedicated public servant is ready to fight for her district, making a choice to serve the community in which she was born and raised. An avid learner, Stephanie went on to earn her Associate's Degree in Pharmacy from Miami-Dade College, a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, as well as a Master’s in Health Informatics & Managements Systems from Florida International University, and a Master's Degree concentrating in Public Administration from the University of Miami. But she’s not done. A mother of two young adults, Stephanie was conferred in 2021 with her Doctorate in Health Sciences (DHSc) degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School.
DR. STEPHANIE THOMAS, DHSc, MPA
On May 26, 2022, Stephanie was recognized in Maimi Today 40th Year commemoration publication. She was elected to serve as a board member of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida. Stephanie is also also committed to educating and bring awareness through health advocacy. She is better known as “The Health Consultant.” Affiliations & Memberships Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., (AKA), Pi Delta Omega Chapter American Planning Association American Society for Public Administration, S. FL Chapter Florida Bar Association Health Law Section Florida Bioethics Network Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida Board Member Health Council of South Florida International Institute of Municipal Clerks National Forum for Black Public Administrators, SoFlo Chapter, Historian Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for Public Affairs & Administration, UM Chapter United Way Health Impact Council
CORPORATE MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
Martine Pierre-Paul is a First Vice President, Regional Director of Community Lending for Valley Bank. A banking executive with a career spanning over 20 years, Martine has been helping Businesses and Entrepreneurs achieve their financial goals in Florida since 2004. Her background includes leadership roles in the Financial Services Industry with First Citizens Bank Florida, PNC Bank Florida, Citibank New York and most recently, as Capital Access Specialist for the SBDC and a member of the Valley Bank Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) task force.
Martine Pierre Paul Regional Director - Community Lending FL/AL
A graduate of Leadership Boca, Class of 2017, she completed her undergraduate studies at Queens College in New York, and the University of Paris, Nanterre, where she studied Legal Communications and International Relations. Martine’s community involvement is extensive and includes active service to numerous nonprofit organizations such as Boca Helping Hands, National Jewish Health, The Caribbean Bar Association, the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Academy and National Forum for Black Public Administrators South Florida Chapter/ National Corporate Council. Martine has two children and enjoys her life as a dance, cheer, lacrosse, golf and soccer mom. She loves all things related to Etiquette and the Royals and is the Founder of the Modern Etiquette and Leadership Academy.