RENEE LATU
Program Manager
Upland,CA
Summary
Program Manager offering 20 years of expertise in project management and strategic planning. Advanced knowledge of regulatory compliance with proven track record of partnering with executives and business leaders to identify vulnerabilities and create corrective actions. Collaborative and team-oriented with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster strategic partnerships and promote company reputation.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Advisor
Environmental Services Department
05.2014 - Current
- Responsible for enterprise-wide mitigation program initiatives to ensure regulatory compliance while minimizing corporate risk, project costs, and supporting corporate goals.
- Established and implemented program initiatives and gained program acceptance within department leadership resulting in10% budget reductions among the projects.
- Develop, implement, and communicate internal and external compliance reports, metrics, and interactive tools for use among cross-functional business units.
- Present communication materials such as whitepapers, reports, marketing material, program guidance, job aids and technical presentations to peer managers, partners, and various levels of leadership both internally and externally.
- Develop and implement program standard, policies and procedures ensuring consistent internal processes are implemented among different workstreams and business units.
- Manage on call contracts; contractor onboarding, budget projections, CWA (Consultation Work Authorizations) management, change management, contract evaluation, and close-outs.
- Established and lead a strike team to establish protocols and guidance for work occurring in protected properties among different business unit workstreams resulting in a 20% decline in noncompliance events.
- Lead an environment compliance team on tree-felling project in Inyo National Forest; safety training, scheduling, led forest-agency interactions, and coordinate and apply subject matter expert recommendations.
- Formed and lead a benchmarking advisory group comprised of utility environmental management from PG&E, Sempra, So Cal. Gas, and Orange County Transportation Authority.
Project Manager
Operational Services
05.2009 - 05.2014
- Led a team of contractors and consultants for environmental compliance during construction of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP).
- Ensured all permits, plans and mitigation measures were implemented safely and effectively.
- Helped develop and implemented a project-based work management system to streamline reporting resulting in 10% increased staff production.
- Developed and communicated financial reports, dashboards, metrics and updates to managers, leadership, and internal stakeholders.
- Communicated and developed guidance on complex environmental technical reports to construction teams for implementation.
- Provide environmental briefings to leadership and construction staff.
- Led CPUC (California Public Utility Commission) communication and meetings related to environmental project compliance.
- Performed contract management including Request for Proposal (RFP) and spot bid contracts, led evaluations, contractor onboarding, analyzed and reviewed budget projections, managed CWAs (Consultation Work Authorizations), change management and close-outs.
Executive Director
Santa Ana Watershed Association
Redlands, Ca
01.2002 - 12.2008
- Initiated and lead strategic direction and priorities, programs, and projects for the organization.
- Reported to the Board of Directors; oversaw two departments.
- Performed public outreach and speaking engagements with municipalities, NGOs, county, state and federal resource agencies.
- Performed all human resource functions including job description development, position postings, candidate selection, hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations and development, coaching, conflict resolution and disciplinary measures and resource assignments.
- Directed, educated, and empowered staff to manage project budgets, resources, and deliverables, including development of monthly reports and metrics to measure contractor spend and effort.
- Responsible for budget development, reconciliation, resource allocation and prioritization, tracked budget forecasts and implemented board-approved investment policies.
- Researched and analyzed complex board-approved investment strategies that ensured the endowments produced enough principle interest to sustain organizational operations.
- Served on several ad-hoc committees on the Board’s behalf.
- Developed, implemented, and updated the organization’s general plans and long-term strategic plans (5-year).
Natural Resource Manager
Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
Redlands, Ca
09.1998 - 12.2001
- Managed the operations of the natural resource and education programs for the District.
- Directed staff of eight subject matter experts.
- Developed and administered wildlife conservation education community outreach programs.
- Tracked grant and federal appropriation expenditures, projections, and in-kind funds.
- Actively energized volunteers, ad hoc committee members, and partnering organizations to engage in the District’s environmental programs.
- Managed staff and consulting specialists in the permitting phase of restoration projects.
- Performed public outreach at elementary schools, various civic events, and associated interest groups.
- Developed education program guidance and standards.
- Prepared and streamlined annual reports for agency submittals, VPs.
- Examples of initiatives/programs the Business Readiness team supports includes but are not limited to Wildfire Resiliency, Transformation Initiatives, and other larger scale deployments affecting multiple teams across T&D.
- Projects supported may be linked to Corporate goals/objectives and T&D goals.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Administration
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA 01.2006 - 01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA 09.2002 - 06.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA 09.2002 - 06.2005
Associate of Science - Environmental Hazardous Material Technology
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 09.1998 - 05.2000
Skills
Strategic planning
Continuous improvements
Contract Management
Staff Management
Project Management
Critical thinking
Team building
Self-motivated professional
Adaptability
Relationship building and management
Timeline
Senior Advisor
Environmental Services Department
05.2014 - Current
Project Manager
Operational Services
05.2009 - 05.2014
Master of Arts - Public Administration
University of La Verne
01.2006 - 01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
California State University-San Bernardino
09.2002 - 06.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies
California State University-San Bernardino
09.2002 - 06.2005
Executive Director
Santa Ana Watershed Association
01.2002 - 12.2008
Associate of Science - Environmental Hazardous Material Technology
Chaffey College
09.1998 - 05.2000
Natural Resource Manager
Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
09.1998 - 12.2001