REDWOOD CITY WELCOMES MICHELLE POCHÉ FLAHERTY AS ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER

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Michelle Poché Flaherty will join Redwood City to serve as Assistant City Manager/Administrative Services Director beginning May 26, City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz announced on April 29.

Teri Black & Co. is proud to have managed the nationwide recruitment that brought Flaherty to Redwood City, where she will oversee the Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Revenue Services functions.

The media release from the City directly referenced evolving community needs and City resources in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Flaherty’s strategic decision-making and process improvement skills will be heavily utilized in “reimagining City services while remaining grounded in sound financial practices.” Undoubtedly, local government managers of all types are being called upon to undergo these same processes and will be for the foreseeable future.

Flaherty is currently Deputy City Manager for the City of Palo Alto, and has held various senior executive level positions at the city, county and federal levels of government during her 20+ year career. She is also a certified executive coach and author of ICMA’s textbook Effective Supervisory Practices; she presents an annual webinar series on the book.

In the media release, Flaherty said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to serve Redwood City, a community rich in culture, collaboration and civility. I am passionate about process improvement, customer service and empowering leadership in public service and am excited to grow my career in Redwood City.”

Follow us on LinkedIn to see our current and upcoming recruitments and to follow our blog. Follow Michelle Poché Flaherty on LinkedIn.

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CITY OF BURBANK HIRES PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR KEN BERKMAN

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Congratulations to Ken Berkman, who recently assumed the mantle of Director of Public Works for the City of Burbank, CA.

Burkman was selected after a nationwide search managed by Teri Black & Co. City Manager Justin Hess said, “Among many desired qualities, I was especially focused on finding a leader who would be a visible and engaged role model. Ken has a great mix of public and private sector experience, lasting more than 30 years.”

Most recently, Berkman had been with El Segundo. Before that, his experience including stints with the City of Agoura Hills and Culver City, as well as private sector companies MARRS Services, Inc.; Psomas; Parsons Corp.; and Turner Corp.

Congratulations, Ken! We here at TBC wish you the best in your tenure!

San Mateo Welcomes Chief of Police Ed Barberini

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Ed Barberini, a 25-year Law Enforcement veteran, was sworn in as San Mateo’s new Chief of Police in February.

In a nice nod to tradition and family, Chief Barberini’s father, also named Ed, administered the oath of office to his son.

Barberini has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, including Chief positions in San Bruno and Millbrae. The bulk of his career has been spent with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s office, gaining experience in administration, transportation, corrections, field operations, court security and bomb squad work. He also gained important experience directing the County Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security.

As Chief, Barberini will manage 170 staff, including 115 sworn officers, and a $47 million annual budget.

“I am extremely excited to join this team and help carry on the excellent work being done, not only within the police department, but throughout the City,” Barberini said in a City news release.

We here at Teri Black & Company are proud to have managed the nationwide recruitment, and wish Chief Barberini the very best in his tenure!

Ace That Video Interview!

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By Senior Recruiter Tina White

As organizations adjust their norms for the health and safety of their employees and communities in light of coronavirus, they are revisiting how they conduct candidate interviews. In some cases, they will conduct virtual (online) interviews, using services such as Zoom or Skype.  We don’t know if this will result in permanent change, but we want to make sure that you are prepared for the shift (even if it’s temporary) to phone and/or video interviews

Rest assured, we want to keep hiring world-class talent and we understand that adaptation is key.

TBC encourages you to prepare for a “virtual” interview in much the same way you would prepare for an in-person interview, with a few extra steps.

Set up and test your technology.

Whether your interview will be conducted using Skype, Zoom or some other video conferencing service, it is important to test your technology to ensure that you’re set up for success.

First, be certain to use the correct technology.

A desktop computer with a camera built into the monitor is best. A laptop with a camera is second best. Please do not try to use your cell phone to interview for a career-changing position.

Be sure to check your internet connectivity and confirm that your camera and microphone are working.  Make sure your signal strength is strong.  If it is not strong enough to be reliable, you may want to consider moving to another part of your house for a stronger signal. If you have the option to be connected via a wired ethernet connection (versus Wi-Fi), that would be preferable.

If you haven’t used videoconferencing tools before, don’t worry. They are very reliable. Before your interview, ask a friend to participate in a test run with you from their home computer. Even if you’ve done a video interview or webinar at work, remember that it’s going to be different at home. Make sure you can be heard clearly over your microphone. Familiarize yourself with the service, including how to mute/unmute the microphone and how to change the screen settings so that you are able to see the entire panel of interviewers in a line or grid of squares. It pays to take the time to be comfortable with the technology. You will be better prepared to respond to the interviewers, and the panel will see a candidate who is nimble and flexible.

Set up your space and minimize distractions.

Where should you be for the interview?

The space should be clean, quiet and well-lit. Ideally, find a room with great lighting, perhaps near a window. Having a blank or quiet wall as your backdrop can guarantee that you are the focal point of the conversation. When you do your test run, be sure to look at the background behind you. Is there a pile of laundry in the corner? A messy stack of papers or books that is visible? A very busy wallpaper or painting? Be certain your space is clear of such things.

Prior to the interview time, turn off the TV. Silence your cell phone. Close windows (and doors if you can). Keep pets in another room. If you frequently have packages delivered, you might consider leaving a note on your front door asking people not to ring the doorbell. Some pups really like barking when the doorbell goes off!

Some of this may be harder to orchestrate when your spouse or partner is working from home and school has been canceled for your children. Properly preparing them may be as important as preparing yourself.

Dress for the part.

Dress just as you would for an in-person interview and bring your A-game. Your appearance matters! You will feel more confident and perform better during the interview if you are dressed professionally.

What you wear may show up differently on video, so you might want to avoid patterns, bright colors or big jewelry. If you wear a solid color blazer that creates contrast with your background, it can help the interviewer’s eyes gravitate to you and stay focused on you during the interview.  Also, be sure that your bottom half matches your upper half, in case you must get up during the interview. In other words, yes, please do wear bottoms – but not pajama bottoms!

Have your reference materials ready.

Print out a copy of your resume. Have it in front of you, along with any notes that you’ve prepared. You don’t want to read your answers, so bullet point prompts or talking points are best.

Create connection.

Practice and watch your body language. You can’t shake your interviewer’s hand, but you can sit up straight, smile and keep the camera at eye level.  Be certain to greet everyone in the room that you can see.

If you keep your focus on the *camera* when you are talking (not on the image of the person interviewing you), then you will be making eye contact and this will help create connection.

At the conclusion of the interview, behave just as you would if you were in the room.

Again, thank and acknowledge everyone. Do not be the first to hang up unless you are instructed to do so (just as you wouldn’t be the first to stand if you were all in the room together).

Follow up.

Follow up on a virtual interview the same way you would an in-person interview. A handwritten and mailed thank you note to each panelist is always a welcome gesture. An email is also acceptable.

Now, wait for the phone call from TBC or your target agency, letting you know that you’re a finalist for that coveted position! As always, the team at TBC will continue to provide stellar support throughout the recruitment process by keeping you informed.  You got this!

Milpitas Selects Armando Corpuz to Lead Police Department

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The City of Milpitas has named Armando Corpuz as its seventh Chief of Police, succeeding Acting City Manager/Police Chief Steve Pangelinan. A veteran of the Milpitas Police Department (MPD), Chief Corpuz will take the helm on January 7, 2018.

Born and raised in Milpitas, Chief Corpuz has extensive experience and a broad knowledge of law enforcement operations, having served in a wide variety of positions during his 26 years in policing. His diverse experience includes service in all sections of the Department – Patrol, Traffic, SWAT, Investigations, Anti-Terrorism, High Tech Crimes, Records, and Dispatch.

Chief Corpuz focuses strongly on community and connection and has 11 years of management experience in the Milpitas Police Department (MPD), having risen through the ranks to Captain before his most recent promotion.

Chief Corpuz holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management from Saint Mary’s College and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Oklahoma. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, where he received an Excellence in Leadership Award and was elected by his classmates as a section leader.

Fremont Appoints Curtis P. Jacobson New Fire Chief

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The City of Fremont has appointed Curtis P. Jacobson as its new Fire Chief following a nationwide search. Chief Jacobson joins Fremont with 25 years of fire protection service in his hometown of San Jose, including 18 years of experience in increasingly senior managerial and executive leadership. He has served as San Jose Fire Chief since 2015, with prior experience as Deputy Chief, Division Chief, and Battalion Chief in a variety of bureaus.

In his new position, Chief Jacobson will be responsible for 13 in-service fire companies, nearly 160 sworn and non-sworn department members, and an annual budget of $46.5 million. The department responds to approximately 17,500 calls each year.

Chief Jacobson has been recognized for effectively managing, supervising, evaluating, mentoring, and coaching personnel under his command and has extensive experience in emergency response, fire prevention, training, education, strategic support, and administration in public safety service. He also has a wide variety of experience in the fields of emergency management, hazardous materials management, public education, employee development, recruitment and selection, and dispute resolution.

Chief Jacobson holds a number of professional credentials and degrees, including completion of Harvard’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from San Jose State University, where he is also nearing completion on his MPA. An active community member, Chief Johnson serves as a Board Member of the San Jose Jazz Festival and is a member of the Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs Association and the Santa Clara County Black Firefighters Association. Congrats Chief!!

Edmond Rodriguez New Fire Chief in Alameda

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Edmond Rodriguez took the helm as the new Fire Chief for the City of Alameda on November 13, assuming responsibility for a department of 111 positions and an annual budget of $33.6 million.

Chief Rodriquez comes to Alameda from the City of Salinas, where he served as Fire Chief since 2012. He brings with him over 29 years of experience in fire service, having served for over 24 years in the City of Stockton in positions ranging from Deputy Fire Chief of Operations to Flight Nurse/Paramedic for Medi-Flight of Modesto and California Shock Trauma Rescue (Calstar). He served twice as President of the Monterey County Fire Chiefs Association.

“I am truly honored and humbled to serve as the City of Alameda’s next Fire Chief,” Rodriguez stated. “I will work tirelessly with community members, labor, City leadership, and City staff to ensure Alameda provides the highest level of fire and life-safety services in the Bay Area.”

Chief Rodriguez currently sits on the California Fire Chiefs Association, Northern Section EMS Subcommittee and is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). He holds a Master’s Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science from Columbia Pacific University, and an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing from Excelsior College. He is also a licensed registered nurse and a certified paramedic. Way to go Ed!

Concord Welcomes Jasmin Loi as Director of Human Resources

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The City of Concord welcomes Jasmin Loi as the new Director of Human Resources, following a nationwide search after the retirement of Elia Bamberger. Loi has sixteen years of professional and management experience in human resources and organizational functions, most recently serving as Human Resources Director for the City of Vallejo and previously as Director of Human Resources and Risk Management for the City of Indio.

In her new position, Jasmin oversees a department of 7 full-time employees with an annual budget of $4 million. Concord Human Resources is responsible for the City’s administration, labor relations, recruitment and selection, workers’ compensation, benefits administration, classification and compensation, and organizational training and development.

“Jasmin Loi’s experience as a seasoned HR Director with more than 15 years of City and County experience will be instrumental at the City of Concord as she will bring invaluable insight, creative ideas and solutions, and positive energy to the City’s dedicated work force,” said Concord City Manager Valerie Barone.

Jasmin holds a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Management from the University of Central Arkansas.

Congratulations Jasmin!!

STELLAR TALENT: Burlingame Appoints New Human Resources Director

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The City of Burlingame welcomes Sonya Morrison as its new Human Resources Director. Appointed after a nationwide search, Sonya brings a broad range of experience in both administration and human resources to her new position.

Sonya served most recently as Senior Human Resources Analyst in the City of San Mateo, where she was responsible for a variety of employee and labor relations functions. She has nearly a decade of experience in positions throughout San Mateo County and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and has developed a wide local government skill set in working with employees and labor groups, as well as in management of human resources and administrative services.

Sonya holds an MBA from Santa Clara University, a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from San Jose State University, and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Geography and English from James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) by HR Certification Institute and a CALPELRA Labor Relations Masters (CLRM) and has completed advanced training from a variety of institutions, including the Executive Development Program from the Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC) at Berkeley University.

Congratulations Sonya!!

PREMIER SERVICE: Burbank Welcomes Arrival of New Economic Development Pro

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Last week, the City of Burbank welcomed newly appointed Assistant Community Development Director for Business and Economic Development Simone McFarland to its workforce. She brings 25 years of experience in creating business development and marketing programs in both the public and private sectors.

Before arriving in Burbank, Simone served as the Economic Development Manager for the City of Sierra Vista, Arizona where she established a robust ED program, including spearheading the creation of a cybersecurity hub that is positioned to flourish for years to come. Not new to California, Simone has also invested her economic development prowess in the Cities of Riverside and Murrieta, as well as the County of San Bernardino.

Simone has received ten Addy awards from the American Advertising Federation and five awards from the California Association of Local Economic Development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Riverside.

Teri Black observed, “Burbank is on the brink of a remarkable transformation and Simone is just the right person to lead the excitement around economic development. She’s also a great match for the department’s leadership team, and it’s a city that will take advantage of her full range of talents for years to come.”

Welcome back to Cali, Simone!