AMY BUCKERT
FRIENDSWOOD,TX
Summary
Politically astute local government leader with twenty years of administrative and operational experience in various-sized cities with demonstrated skills in interpersonal communications, collaboration, decision-making, coaching/mentoring, finance/budget, planning and development
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Chief Financial Officer
City Of Pearland
04.2021 - Current
- Oversaw budget, treasury, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and utility billing.
- Tracked cash flow and financial planning to analyze City's financial strengths and weaknesses and propose strategic directions.
- Implemented cost reduction initiatives and process improvements to optimize efficiency and productivity.
- Worked closely with audit team to hedge against or mitigate operational risks.
- Managed and led direct reports to handle controllership, treasury and public finance functions
- Developed and oversaw yearly budgets and capital improvement plans to determine best mix of debt, equity and internal financing.
- Reduced call queue times from 9 minutes to less than 5 minutes over course of 12 months.
Assistant Director of Finance
City Of Suffolk
09.2016 - 03.2021
- Operations and management of 14 employees with departmental budget of $1.6 million
- Oversight of payroll (~1,350 EE) and accounts payable divisions, as well as all accountants over all city funds (operating, enterprise, fiduciary and special revenue)
- Departmental oversight for payroll software implementation including coordination with Human Resources, Information Technology, vendor and City-hired implementation contractor
- Implemented numerous process improvements desired by management to include: overhaul and restructure of monthly staff meetings, increased accountability by clarifying deadlines and assignments, development of process maps for individual processes, roll out of systematic improvements to employee evaluation process, and creation and implementation of hiring matrices for all departmental positions
- Serve as member of grants policy re-write team
- Responsible for coordination, implementation and drafting of City’s 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs)
- Drafted and finalized annual Citizen Centric Reports (2016, 2017, 2018)
- Successfully granted the GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for compilation of the City’s 2016, 2017 & 2018 CAFR
Adjunct Professor
Arizona State University
01.2019 - 05.2020
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation
- Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional and academic goals while providing coaching on effective study habits
- Taught Into to Public Administration courses, providing instruction to up to 40 undergraduate students
- Designed and delivered class instruction to meet course competencies
Interim Director of Administrative Services
City Of Terrell Hills Bexar County Texas
01.2015 - 08.2016
- Responsible for all financial transactions of City, to include investments, accounts payable and payroll.
- Created City’s first Equipment Replacement Fund (and drafted accompanying policy) for capital equipment purchases
- Coordination with independent third-party auditing firm for annual audits
- Awarded City’s first-ever Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (2015) by Government Finance Officers Association
- Overhauled workflow and permitting process for Public Works/Planning, to include selection and implementation of software to assist with program evaluation, staff demonstrations, product selection, purchase and implementation (MyGov)
- Formalized purchasing policy to ensure compliance with State purchasing law and developed staff training for implementation
- Reviewed and revised financial and investment policies, as well as human resources policies and employee manuals
- Management and oversight of bank reconciliations, payment posting, journal entries, and preparation/ presentation City’s budget document
- Orchestrated town hall forums in conjunction with City Engineer and City Manager to discuss infrastructure needs, future planning, and outline strategic goals for City’s Capital Improvements Plan
Research Associate
University of Notre Dame
10.2014 - 02.2015
- Gathered, arranged, and corrected research data to create representative graphs and charts highlighting results for presentations
- Distilled large amounts of information and produced reports, spreadsheets and documents outlining key details
- Validated incoming data to check information accuracy and integrity while independently locating and correcting concerns
- Gathered and organized information for research purposes
City Administrator
City Of Balcones Heights
11.2010 - 10.2014
- Oversaw over 56 personnel working in multiple areas
- Created annual budget and submitted it to City Council for review and approval
- Appointed and managed department heads to maintain smooth operations between different functional areas
- Pursued learning opportunities and maintained current understanding of trends and technological advances in municipal management
- Conducted studies to assess feasibility of renewal, development and other community plans
- Evaluated development plans against city regulations and available data
- Prepared plans for land use, area development and urban revitalization
- Researched issues, wrote reports and presented findings to City Council
- Fostered climate of collaboration between general public, city manager and members of city council
- Maintained department productivity and standards through proactive management of teams and policies
- Monitored and supported bidding and proposal process
- Kept municipal operations in compliance with city ordinances, state requirements and federal laws
- Represented city and interests with community organizations, government agencies and general public
- Worked alongside stakeholders to evaluate projects and determine feasibility of implementation
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses
- Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms
Adjunct Professor
UTSA
01.2014 - 05.2014
- Taught Public Finance to 35 students in classroom setting
- Created lesson plans, course materials and homework assignments covering established coursework and textbook information
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation
- Developed and implemented Public Finance curriculum for improved learning and student performance
- Designed and delivered class instruction to meet course competencies
City Manager
City Of Olmos Park
03.2007 - 11.2010
- Operations and management of 36 employees with $2.6 million budget, including program planning, presentation and explanation of budget document, and administration
- Served as project coordinator for construction of new City Hall, Fire Station and Public Works facilities ($4M)
- Responsible for fair and equitable human resource functions, including hiring, evaluation, counseling/discipline, and training and professional development of staff
- Acted as ex-officio member of numerous Boards, Commissions, and committees including planning and zoning, building design, board of adjustment, investment committee, communications committee and business association meetings
- Worked with Mayor, Council and other community leaders to bring forward successful proposal for Economic Development Corporation for vote (4B Corporation)
- Administered City’s Request for Proposal process, including pre-RFP meetings, review of consultants’ proposals, and development of recommendations for award
- Skilled in inter-agency cooperation, including coordination of programs and projects with other cities, utility companies, and relationships with private sector/vendors
- Created annual budget and submitted it to city council for review and approval
- Appointed and managed department heads to maintain smooth operations between different functional areas
- Researched issues, wrote reports and presented findings to City Council
- Fostered climate of collaboration between general public, city manager and members of City Council
- Maintained department productivity and standards through proactive management of teams and policies
- Kept municipal operations in compliance with city ordinances, state requirements and federal laws
- Monitored and supported bidding and proposal process
- Represented city and interests with community organizations, government agencies and general public
- Worked alongside stakeholders to evaluate projects and determine feasibility of implementation
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses
- Fostered climate of collaboration between general public, city staff and members of City Council
Assistant to the City Manager
City of Hurst
12.2006 - 02.2007
- Instrumental in development of $11.7 million general obligation bond package
- Functioned as staff liaison to Park Board, Library Board and Senior Services Board
- Served on citywide committees addressing everything from community service and outreach to customer service training, employee development, and risk assessment
- Assisted with landscape design review and median upgrades in accordance with City’s citywide beautification program
- Helped develop City’s Art in Public Places initiative with Deputy City Manager and Library Board, including developing RFQs, interviewing artists, ranking projects, and coordinating installation of completed pieces
- Contributed to and participated in special events to include annual holiday tree lighting, 4th of July celebration, senior banquet and others
- Oversaw City’s Youth in Government and Volunteers in Action (VIA) programs
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests
- Completed forms, reports, logs and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources
- Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy
- Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, recordkeeping and data entry for increased efficiency
- Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions
- Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity
- Identified and recommended changes to existing processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and quality service
- Supported company leaders by managing budgets, scheduling appointments and organizing itinerary
- Facilitated timely delivery of special projects to meet organizational and departmental objectives
- Performed research to collect and record industry data
- Transcribed and organized information to assist in preparing speeches and presentations
Senior Management Assistant
City Of Hurst
11.2001 - 12.2006
- Created and updated records and files to maintain document compliance
- Prepared and distributed team-based communications to foster collaboration and enhance team morale
- Conducted research to assist with routine tasks and special projects
- Worked with senior management to initiate new projects and assist in various processes
- Coordinated events and worked on ad hoc projects
- Streamlined operations and prioritized tasks, allowing senior staff to increase productivity
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity
- Wrote reports, executive summaries and newsletters
Administrative Analyst
City of Lewisville
11.2001 - 10.2003
- Responsible for monitoring and tracking bills important to City legislative agenda
- Compiled data and created draft presentations for public hearings on 4B sales tax initiative
- Cross-trained on Teen Court program
- Extensive training and use of performance measurement for effective planning and service delivery
- Assisted City Management and department heads/division managers with preparation of annual budgets, including analyzing possible cuts and money-saving strategies, prioritizing program changes, and assisting other employees with budget software usage
- Responsible for development of citywide budget preparation manual for financial software and its associated web-based interface
- Supported departmental communication and training program development and implementation.
- Demonstrated operational knowledge of Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Performed numerous administrative and technical support functions that enhanced Budget office effectiveness
- Evaluated current processes to develop improvement plans
- Compiled research data and gave professional presentations highlighting finds and recommended optimizations
Education
Master Of Public Administration -
The University of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TXBachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TXSkills
- Employee Coaching and Mentoring
- Project Management
- Customer Service Process Improvement
- Contract Management
- Continuous Improvement Process
- Collaborate Cross-Functionally
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Regulatory Compliance
- Strategic Planning
- Budgetary Controls
- Financial Management
- Internal Control Management
- Financial Forecasting
- Human Resources Knowledge
- Strategic and Financial Planning
- Risk Mitigation
- Payroll Processing
- Fiscal Management
- Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
- GAAP Principles
- Excellent Team Leadership
- Budget Planning and Reporting
- Grants Management
- Policy Changes
- Audit Process Management
Affiliations
International City/County Management Assoc. (ICMA) Texas City Management Assoc. (TCMA) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Government Finance Officers Assoc. of Texas (GFOAT)
Certification
CGFO - Certified Government Finance Officer
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer
City Of Pearland
04.2021 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Arizona State University
01.2019 - 05.2020
Assistant Director of Finance
City Of Suffolk
09.2016 - 03.2021
Interim Director of Administrative Services
City Of Terrell Hills Bexar County Texas
01.2015 - 08.2016
Research Associate
University of Notre Dame
10.2014 - 02.2015
Adjunct Professor
UTSA
01.2014 - 05.2014
City Administrator
City Of Balcones Heights
11.2010 - 10.2014
City Manager
City Of Olmos Park
03.2007 - 11.2010
Assistant to the City Manager
City of Hurst
12.2006 - 02.2007
Senior Management Assistant
City Of Hurst
11.2001 - 12.2006
Administrative Analyst
City of Lewisville
11.2001 - 10.2003
Master Of Public Administration -
The University of Texas At Arlington
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University of Texas At San Antonio
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