Mark W. Howe

Summary: Grants Manager supporting the Maryland Department of Labor’s Workforce Development and Adult Learning mandate through the administration of a $9.6 million Federal and State grant portfolio. Leads the full grant lifecycle- from planning and solicitation through execution, monitoring, evaluation, and closeout - supporting programs that expand Maryland’s apprenticeship and workforce development system. Experienced in programmatic, operational, and financial oversight, ensuring compliance with Federal and State regulations while driving performance improvement and best practices. Recognized for strengthening grantee capacity, maintaining accountability, and delivering measurable workforce outcomes through effective stakeholder coordination and data-driven program management.

Key Achievements:

• Administered a $9.6 million Federal and State grant portfolio, managing the full grant lifecycle - from solicitation and award through monitoring, reporting, and closeout - while ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and donor accountability standards.
• Planned, executed, and evaluated four major workforce and apprenticeship grant programs training 0ver 500 apprentices, strengthening Maryland’s apprenticeship system through performance-based program design, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Reviewed and assessed 78 grant proposals for eligibility, financial soundness, and regulatory compliance, supporting transparent, competitive funding decisions aligned with workforce development priorities.
• Managed contractual and programmatic relationships with 125 multi-sector stakeholders, including employers, education providers, nonprofits, and government partners, to deliver grant-funded workforce solutions.
• Provided technical assistance, training, and performance oversight to sub-grantees, prepared monthly and quarterly financial and results reports, and supported audits and corrective actions to mitigate risk and strengthen program outcomes.
• Supported periodic compliance and financial audit reviews and responded to audit observations, ensuring the implementation of recommended actions.

Summary: Provided comprehensive program and project management support for emergency management, homeland security, and non-disaster grant programs, including the National Capital Region Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), Baltimore UASI, State Homeland Security Grant Program, and Emergency Management Performance Grants. Led the design, implementation, and oversight of $2.1 million in grant-funded initiatives focused on prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts across the National Capital Region. Supported multi-agency efforts to address complex threats such as cyber incidents, terrorism, natural hazards, and disasters, ensuring alignment with federal requirements, risk management principles, and regional resilience objectives.

Key Achievements:

• Managed and coordinated $5 million in Federal homeland security and emergency management grants, serving as Program Manager and focal point for National Capital Region and State of Maryland awards, including UASI, SHSGP, and Emergency Management Performance Grants.
• Designed, implemented, and monitored $2.1 million in grant-funded programs supporting prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts against cyber threats, terrorism, hazards, and natural disasters.
• Developed four comprehensive program and project management plans under tight deadlines, enabling annual approval of $2.1 million in DHS grant awards and strengthening regional emergency preparedness capacity.
• Improved grant processing efficiency by 25 percent through business case analysis, concept scoping, charter development, and proposal design, accelerating project initiation and execution.
• Strengthened compliance, risk management, and audit readiness, monitoring financial transactions, supporting audits and quarterly reporting, and implementing risk mitigation strategies that reduced project cancellations by 50 percent and achieved 100 percent compliance with Federal grant requirements.
• Reviewed, recommended, and drafted simplified operational processes and standard operating procedures, identifying inefficiencies, reducing duplication of work, and maximizing productivity.

Summary: Collaborated with senior operations leadership to support service delivery and operational performance across budgeting, financial reporting, facilities management, administration, supply chain logistics, IT coordination, human resources, and personnel safety and security. Provided day-to-day management of large, multidisciplinary teams while supporting value-for-money operations, workforce productivity, and compliance. Played a key role in aligning operational strategies with organizational objectives, strengthening supply and logistics systems, and ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality service delivery in a high-volume operational environment.

Key Achievements:

• Managed and supervised multidisciplinary teams of up to 75 staff, including supply and logistics officers, process assistants, learning coordinators, and delivery associates, ensuring operational continuity, safety compliance, and performance accountability.
• Supported oversight of a $12 million operational budget, contributing to budget planning, monitoring, cost control, and financial reporting while maximizing productivity and value for money.
• Supported the Operations Manager in managing the delivery station’s budget of $12 million, while mentoring and coaching 75 hourly Associates to maximize productivity.
• Improved safety and quality outcomes, collaborating with cross-functional teams to reduce monthly workplace accidents and injuries by 15 percent while increasing overall quality output.
• Strengthened operational systems and controls by developing and revising three Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), conducting periodic reviews, and preparing performance reports for senior regional leadership.
• Supported audit readiness and compliance, assisting in responses to audit observations and monitoring implementation of corrective actions related to financial management, operations, and internal controls.

Summary: Oversaw administrative, operational, and program initiatives in collaboration with senior leadership, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and high-quality delivery of healthcare and biomedical equipment services. Led the design and implementation of comprehensive program plans, including program baselines, budgets, and resource allocation across staff, internal units, and customers. Played a central role in planning and executing a $5 million program strategy, establishing efficient supply chain, asset, and inventory management systems within six months to strengthen operational performance and service reliability.

Key Achievements

• Planned and implemented a $5 million program strategy, establishing integrated supply chain, asset, and inventory management systems within six months, improving operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Led program planning, budgeting, and resource allocation, managing program baselines and financial controls to support staff, internal departments, and external clients while ensuring compliance and accountability.
• Drove revenue and market growth, developing targeted marketing, sourcing, and branding strategies that increased profit margins by 10 percent and expanded the customer base by 10 percent.
• Supervised and developed multidisciplinary teams, managing a core team of 13 staff and overseeing talent acquisition, performance management, and professional development for 25 contracted employees.
• Strengthened financial management and audit readiness, monitored unit budgets, contributed to budget analysis for senior management, and partnered with internal auditors to address findings and implement corrective actions.

Summary: Supported UN peacekeeping and peace-building operations through civil information management, humanitarian coordination, and national assistance frameworks in a post-conflict setting. Collaborated with UN agencies, multilateral institutions, and government counterparts to advance democratic governance reform, rule of law, and development objectives funded by the international community. Led program review, policy and budget analysis, Results-Based Management (RBM) reporting, and legislative analysis, while contributing to the Secretary-General’s reports to the UN Security Council. Monitored governance and economic reforms and assessed their impact on sustainable peace, institutional legitimacy, and state capacity.

Key Achievements:

• Coordinated peace-building, governance, and development initiatives with over 250 partners, including government institutions, UN agencies, and bilateral and multilateral donors, increasing program delivery effectiveness by 25 percent.
• Managed cross-functional emergency operations and Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) for the UN Country Team, contributing to humanitarian disaster risk management strategies and rapid stabilization efforts.
• Led a $5.0 million rule-of-law infrastructure project, overseeing planning, construction, furnishing of five regional courthouses, and training of judicial personnel, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in pretrial detention.
• Mobilized and executed $2.5 million in donor funding, delivering capacity-building initiatives that trained and deployed 250 local government officials and civil society actors, strengthening citizen trust and institutional performance.
• Strengthened transparency, accountability, and RBM reporting, providing analytical reviews of government audit findings, advising institutions on corrective actions, supporting anti-fraud systems, and contributing to value-for-money reporting for UN finance and budget units.

Summary: Led donor coordination, resource mobilization, and partnership management in support of the Liberia Primary Education Recovery Program (LPERP), aligning donor financing with national education priorities and program objectives. Supported the establishment and stewardship of a large multi-donor pooled fund, strengthened donor relations, and promoted collaboration among government entities, international organizations, and development partners. Played a key role in proposal development, donor reporting, financial tracking, and compliance, ensuring transparency, sustainability, and results-based implementation across education recovery initiatives.

Key Achievements:

• Supported the establishment and management of a $240 million multi-donor pooled education fund, coordinating donor contributions, grants, and subsidies to align financing with LPERP objectives and national education priorities.
• Strengthened resource mobilization efforts by collaborating with the World Bank Resource Mobilization team and partners, preparing funding proposals, concept notes, and donor briefs that increased annual donor contributions by 12 percent.
• Designed and implemented a donor management database, improving transparency and accuracy in tracking gifts and pledges exceeding $240 million annually, while ensuring compliance with donor and fiduciary requirements.
• Coordinated implementation of $125 million in education infrastructure and teacher capacity-building projects, contributing to a 25 percent reduction in student-to-teacher ratios in line with World Bank benchmarks.
• Enhanced donor engagement and accountability, facilitating regular coordination meetings, preparing performance and financial reports, and working with the comptroller’s office on budget drafting, expenditure tracking, and sustainability planning.
• Collaborated with the comptroller’s office for budget drafting, tracking, and project-related expense management, ensuring accurate financial reporting and program sustainability.

Summary: Led human resource policy, administration, and reform initiatives at the Ministry of Education to ensure efficient, transparent, and accountable management of a large public-sector workforce. Oversaw the full HR lifecycle—including talent acquisition, staffing, compensation, benefits, training and development, performance management, employee relations, and workforce planning—while supporting public-sector modernization and institutional strengthening. Collaborated with government counterparts and development partners, including the World Bank, to implement systems and controls that improved workforce integrity, fiscal discipline, and service delivery outcomes in the education sector.

Key Achievements:

• Reformed human resource policies and systems for a 12,000-member workforce, strengthening talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, training, performance management, and retention across the Ministry of Education.
• Restructured the Ministry’s job classification and pay-grade system in collaboration with the Civil Service Agency and the World Bank, improving equity, organizational efficiency, and workforce alignment with public-sector standards.
• Conducted a forensic payroll audit and implemented HR budget tracking systems, removing over 500 undocumented personnel from payroll, reducing payroll costs by 4 percent, and generating annual savings exceeding $2 million.
• Partnered with the Liberia Teacher Training Program to recruit, train, and deploy 3,500+ teachers across five counties, establishing performance metrics and evaluation frameworks to improve education service delivery.
• Strengthened performance management, governance, and staff engagement, revising the employee handbook, administering appraisal systems, and promoting inclusive HR practices that enhanced accountability, staff morale, and institutional integrity.
• Coordinated human resource development and resourcing strategies to enhance employee knowledge, skills, abilities, and mindset alignment with organizational goals.