CHERQUILA HICKS
SAVANNAH,GA
Summary
Professional Administrator
Versatile manager with 13 years of comprehensive experience leading successful teams and managing various aspects of operations. Proficient in budget preparations, strategic planning, and government accounting, with a proven track record of directing and coordinating budgetary elements, procurement, and projects across multiple departments. As an emotionally intelligent leader and solution-oriented professional, utilize dual master's degree in Management and Leadership/Human Resource Management to promote an engaged and empowering work culture. Dedicated to partnering with coworkers to optimize organizational efficiency and drive positive outcomes.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST
TOWN OF BLUFFTON
01.2022 - Current
- Acts as backup to Treasury Manager position overseeing staff,assisting with day-to-day revenue collections(business license, accomodations and hospitality taxes).
- Establishes and maintain financial records, coordinating and supervising administrative financial functions of $61mil budget.
- Playing crucial role in implementation of new revenue software.
- Project Manager over revenue collections for non-compliant businesses.
- Developed presentations and reports for Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee and coordinating ATAC funding requests from external organizations. Supporting grants compliance function.
Records/FOIA ADMINISTRATOR
BLUFFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
05.2021 - 12.2021
- Management of multiple departments in highly secure atmosphere,including Records Unit, Evidence personnel, Volunteer Program.
- Supervised staff and7volunteers and coordinated units daily activities, ensuring handling of sensitive information and maintaining strict adherence to Freedom of Information Act(FOIA) policies.
- Fulfilled FOIA/open records request for Solicitors, Public Defenders, private attorneys and citizens, providing copies of reports and releasable evidence while diligently following confidentiality and security protocols.
- Oversaw record retention, updating internal databases to support document management including storage,retrieval of files/reports,destruction,researched court dispositions and validated incident reports for over 20,000 records.
Senior Accountant,Supervisor
City Of Savannah Police Dept(Jan. 2009-April-2020)
05.2020 - 04.2021
- Promoted to supervisor at onset of COVID-19 pandemic, played essential role in executing strategic plan that resulted in continued success of complete departmental functionality and compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.
- Managed and analyzed revenues and expenditures of $64 million budget, identifying areas for cost savings and reallocating resources to address emerging needs during pandemic.
- Supervised staff, coordinated, assigned and reviewed daily work activities to established and maintain schedules, facilitated maintenance of departmental facilities.
- Project Manager: Successfully orchestrated logistics and managed team of 15 or more individuals during one of largest City events, St Patricks Festival Cafe,ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols.
- Led team of 10 in organization of Police Promotional assessment, implementing innovative solutions to conduct assessment smoothly while maintaining COVID-19 guidelines.
- Proactively composed grant proposals, including COPS grant which was awarded $1.87million, CARES ACT grant, various JAG grants, securing additional funding to support Police Department.
- Overseen handling of confidential departmental records, including sealing, retrieval, purging and destruction. Additionally, managed division supplies and coordinated repairs of departmental equipment.
- Effective procurement,contract and document management of departmental equipment, including vehicles and contamination device.
- Hired, trained and development of accounting teams.
Defacto Police Budget Administrator
City Of Savannah Police Dept(Jan. 2009-April 2020)
05.2019 - 05.2020
- Selected to direct all managerial related responsibilities in absence of formal manager,overseeing financial operations of Police Department.
- Supervised office staff and developed strategic plans for day-to-day departmental and financial operations during critical period.
- Assumed duties of Property Coordinator in their absence: facilitating property maintenance and acting as liaison with janitorial staff, processing warehouse orders.
- Improved employee relations amongst partnering SPD units, other City of Savannah Departments and vendors by 70% promoting collaborative and efficient working environment.
- Executed financial controls, procedures, systems and forecasting techniques to evaluate budget status, ensuring department's financial stability and compliance during challenging times.
Education
Master's - Management & Leadership/Human Resource Management
Webster University
St Louis, MO11.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL06.2013
Skills
- Rapid and adaptive
- Budget Planning and Analysis
- Collaboration/Productive Partnerships
- Customer Relationship Management
- Developing/Empowering others
- Excellent Attention to Detail
- Exceptional Professionalism
- Leading with emotional intelligence
- Masterful cross functional communicator
- Outstanding Managerial Techniques
- Project Management
- Solution Oriented Professional
Certification
Employee Grievance Committee
Leadership in Policing
Various Accounting Certificates
Teamwork Award 2017
- Savannah Police Department: Recognized for orchestrating logistics and equipment for the annual St. Patrick's Day festival, also commended for providing the logistical support needed to hire a record 136 officers
Timeline
SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST
TOWN OF BLUFFTON
01.2022 - Current
Records/FOIA ADMINISTRATOR
BLUFFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
05.2021 - 12.2021
Senior Accountant,Supervisor
City Of Savannah Police Dept(Jan. 2009-April-2020)
05.2020 - 04.2021
Defacto Police Budget Administrator
City Of Savannah Police Dept(Jan. 2009-April 2020)
05.2019 - 05.2020
Master's - Management & Leadership/Human Resource Management
Webster University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Saint Leo University
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