James Morani
Earlysville,VA
Summary
Over 18 years’ experience in state and local government with strengths in human resources management, budgeting, policy facilitation, public relations, community planning, and economic development.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Labor Relations Manager
City Of Charlottesville
01.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded negotiation of union contracts as City representative.
- Negotiated collective bargaining agreements.
- Mediated discussions between employer and employee representatives in an attempt to reconcile differences.
- Participated in labor-management meetings to discuss labor issues.
- Provided expertise on labor and employment laws to help the employer make more effective decisions.
- Assessed the impact of union proposals on government operations.
Human Resources Administrator
Assisted Recovery Centers of America
06.2022 - 12.2022
- Responsible for benefits administration, recruitment, onboarding, development of job descriptions, and assisting supervisors with performance management.
Town Manager
Town of Abingdon
05.2019 - 02.2022
- Responsible for oversight of multiple departments, including Finance, Treasurer, Community Development, Engineering, Public Works, Recreation, Information Technology, Police, and Fire
- Administered a budget of $28 million.
- Oversaw the development of a $14 million sports complex. The project, which opened in April 2022, will significantly impact tourism, increasing revenues in meals and lodging taxes, which are significant sources of revenue for the general fund.
- Redesigned organizational structure to streamline operations, utilizing resources more efficiently and enhancing collaboration across and within departments.
- Identified alternative service delivery methods, including contracting wastewater operations.
- Enhanced employee benefits and training programs to improve retention efforts and succession planning; established classification plan for Town positions.
- Refocused budget priorities, including investments in critical infrastructure projects.
- After completing the updated Comprehensive Plan, initiated Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance rewrite; hired a new Director of Community Development to focus on meeting the code update, addressing issues such as affordable housing, short-term rentals, historic preservation, and transportation (traffic and connectivity).
City Administrator
City of Columbia
10.2014 - 05.2019
- Responsible for oversight of multiple departments, including Administration/Finance, Public Works, Police, Emergency Medical Services, Community Development, and Parks
- Served as Budget Officer for an operating budget of $17.5 million.
- Initiated modifications to employer health insurance plan, saving the City nearly $400,000 in the first year; established HRA and FSA for employees to enhance health care benefits.
- Updated procurement policies to improve accountability and transparency; revised HR practices to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Implemented reorganization of city departments and positions to increase efficiency and provide better public service.
- Worked with a consulting engineering firm to implement a cloud-based GIS platform and customized building/zoning program that integrated with GIS.
- Directed the City’s efforts to conduct a special census, serving as liaison with the U.S. Census Bureau; increased population will result in over $500,000 in additional revenue through 2021.
- Led successful effort to contract EMS with the fire protection district to preserve local control.
Village Administrator
Village of New Baden
04.2010 - 10.2014
- Responsible for oversight of multiple departments, including Administration/Finance, Public Works, Police, Emergency Medical Services, and Recreation
- Directed planning and economic development activities.
- As Director of the Village’s budget, helped increase General Fund reserves by 70% in the first two years. The General Fund had operated in a deficit for the previous six years.
- Restructured fund accounting practices and budget format, improving administrative efficiencies and facilitating village officials' participation in the budget process.
- Oversaw the construction of a $4 million Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) wastewater treatment facility, the first municipal plant of its kind in Illinois.
- Led efforts to enhance the Village’s water and sewer utility systems by working collaboratively with Wesclin CUSD #3 to extend services to a new high school campus. With financial assistance from the school district and state, the Village received $1.4 million in public infrastructure improvements for $450,000.
- Initiated the Village’s participation in the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative, a health insurance consortium comprised of over 100 municipalities.
- Directed revision/modernization of the Village’s Subdivision and Zoning Codes.
- Implemented the establishment of two Special Service Areas to finance ambulance services and residential subdivision improvements.
- Initiated and administered the Village’s first electric aggregation program, saving residents and small businesses an average of 28% on electric supply costs.
- Developed a public information outreach plan and created educational materials for a successful capital improvement sales tax referendum.
- Negotiated redevelopment agreement for $8 million Love’s Travel Stop at I-64 interchange, including water/sewer utility extensions; administered planned use development for the site.
City Administrator
City of Vandalia
01.2007 - 04.2010
- Chief administrative officer of an organization with 75 employees and an annual operating budget of $8 million
- Managerial responsibilities included direct supervision of eight department heads.
- Oversaw a $4 million downtown revitalization project, which included streetscape and roadway improvements. The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
- Helped secure over $2 million in grants for critical infrastructure projects.
- Directed expansion of Industrial Park Conservation TIF District.
- Initiated and directed the complete revision of the personnel policy manual.
- Implemented flexible spending and deferred compensation plans to promote employee financial planning and reduce employer payroll costs.
- Modified health insurance plan design, reducing costs by $20,000 in the first year.
- Changed liability insurance carrier, cutting premium costs by $40,000 the first year.
- Saved the City $50,000 over a three-year period by purchasing electricity for public facilities from a third-party supplier.
- Developed performance goals for department heads to emphasize accountability.
Campaign Consultant/Manager
Illinois Appellate Court Justice Stephen P. McGlynn
09.2005 - 12.2006
- Served as consultant and then campaign manager for Illinois Appellate Court Justice Stephen P. McGlynn.
- Managed operations, including organizational development, public relations, marketing communications, strategic planning, and budget management.
Downstate Policy Coordinator / Policy Analyst
Illinois House of Representatives
03.2001 - 09.2005
- Supervised staff in multiple legislative districts.
- Worked with legislators, staff, organizations, and citizens to develop legislation and outreach programs for various policy areas.
- Organized public hearings, district tours, and press conferences.
- Worked with elected officials and community leaders to identify local issues and develop new ideas for legislation.
- Advised and updated members on legislative activities.
- Drafted letters, press releases, and talking points for legislators.
- Implemented constituent outreach programs.
Education
Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management -
Washington University in St. Louis
01.2011
Master of Public Administration -
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
01.2006
B.S., Political Science -
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
01.2000
Skills
- Training and development
- Change management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Collective bargaining
- Policy development
- Labor law knowledge
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Strategic planning
- Attention to detail
Certification
University of Missouri-St. Louis - Chancellor’s Certificate in Planning & Zoning, 2009
International Economic Development Council - Basic Economic Development Course, 2013
Timeline
Labor Relations Manager
City Of Charlottesville
01.2023 - Current
Human Resources Administrator
Assisted Recovery Centers of America
06.2022 - 12.2022
Town Manager
Town of Abingdon
05.2019 - 02.2022
City Administrator
City of Columbia
10.2014 - 05.2019
Village Administrator
Village of New Baden
04.2010 - 10.2014
City Administrator
City of Vandalia
01.2007 - 04.2010
Campaign Consultant/Manager
Illinois Appellate Court Justice Stephen P. McGlynn
09.2005 - 12.2006
Downstate Policy Coordinator / Policy Analyst
Illinois House of Representatives
03.2001 - 09.2005
Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management -
Washington University in St. Louis
Master of Public Administration -
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
B.S., Political Science -
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Missouri-St. Louis - Chancellor’s Certificate in Planning & Zoning, 2009
International Economic Development Council - Basic Economic Development Course, 2013
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