Richard L. Kennedy
Nashville,TN
Summary
Accomplished Executive Director recognized for leveraging strong team leadership and development to drive forward progress. Highly organized, detail-oriented leader skilled in directing high-performing teams to develop solutions and solve operational and technical problems. Success implementing systems across multiple operations with superior organizational and communication skills.
Overview
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth
10.2000 - Current
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to strategically affect operational direction.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Aligned department vision, goals and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
- Managed teams of [Number] professionals focused on improving [Type] initiatives.
- Implemented [Type] team plan, clarified roles of members and introduced new processes to boost quality across departments.
Associate Executive Director
Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth
02.2011 - 06.2018
- Processed information and applied common sense understanding to follow and carry out written or oral instructions.
- Responded to change, made decisions in stressful situations and prioritized tasks and projects.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to strategically affect operational direction.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Aligned department vision, goals and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results.
- Supervised writing of all grant applications and checked information for accuracy prior to submission.
Director of Field Operations
Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth
04.2004 - 02.2011
- Communicated and consulted with regional management and staff regularly.
- Challenged current business processes and directed management to eliminate waste by reducing non-value-added activities.
- Led [Number] field representatives in delivering quality, on-time and cost-effective client objectives.
- Looked for and developed talent in business unit for succession planning.
- Implemented and maintained high standards of quality in all areas.
- Monitored team performance to assess training requirements and areas in need of improvement.
- Met with senior management to determine needs and develop roadmaps.
- Created, spearheaded and supervised employee recognition programs.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Delegated [Type] daily tasks to employees, streamlining daily progress and efficiency.
- Supported top-level decision-making and strategy planning, forging productive relationships with top leaders and serving as key advocate for various personnel issues.
- Managed daily operations of [Type] organization, orchestrating forward-thinking strategies to accomplish profit and expansion goals.
Ombudsman
Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth
10.2000 - 04.2004
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
Program Manager
Davidson County Community Services Agency
12.1996 - 10.2000
- Coached team members on productivity strategies, policy updates and performance improvement plans to accomplish challenging goals.
- Interacted with customers and clients to identify business needs and requirements.
- Monitored progress of programs, using and applying programming documents, program directives, funding documents and other program material.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
District Executive
Boy Scouts Of America
06.1991 - 06.1993
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Lambuth University
Jackson, TN05.1991
Master of Arts - Counseling
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN1997
Skills
- Employee Motivation and Performance
- Change and Growth Management
- Portfolio Management
- Effective Communicator and Public Speaker
- Leadership and People Development
- Board Oversight
- Strategic Planning
- Industry Expertise
- Operational Analysis
- Executive Leadership
- Policy and Procedure Adherence
- Strategic Direction
- Operational Efficiency
- Team Leadership
- Budgeting and Financial Management
- Communications Strategies
- Coalition Building
- Management Team Leadership
- Interdepartmental Partnerships
- Community Relations Management
- Board of Directors Support
- People and Culture
- Results Orientation
- Analytical and Critical Thinker
- Systems Thinker
- Mission and Vision
Affiliations
Tennessee Government Executive Institute
Tennessee Government Management Institute
LEAD Tennessee
Tennessee Government Leadership Council
Timeline
Associate Executive Director
Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth
02.2011 - 06.2018
Director of Field Operations
Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth
04.2004 - 02.2011
Executive Director
Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth
10.2000 - Current
Ombudsman
Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth
10.2000 - 04.2004
Program Manager
Davidson County Community Services Agency
12.1996 - 10.2000
District Executive
Boy Scouts Of America
06.1991 - 06.1993
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Lambuth University
Master of Arts - Counseling
Trevecca Nazarene University