Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Sheila D McNeil

Huntsville,US

Summary

A highly effective visionary strategist and experienced professional with a demonstrated ability to lead diverse organizations to new levels of success, especially in fast-paced environments. Strong executive management and customer service qualifications with an impressive track record of more than 15 years of senior leadership experience. Expert in successfully analyzing organizational needs, identify opportunities and developing innovative solutions. Goal-oriented executive offering years of progressive business experience. Decisive and hardworking leader with in-depth understanding of complex business issues, policy development and process updates. Demonstrated success in operations, team and change management.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Managing Consultant

McNeil Consulting
Madison , AL
10.2008 - Current
  • Serves as a comprehensive administrative management and public policy consultant. Develops and maintains positive working relationships between clients, stakeholders and targeted audiences. Facilitates executive management strategies intended to strengthen clients position in the market. Clients include senior government officials, business executives, non-profit professionals, government agencies, small businesses and individuals. Propose and manage public relations strategies on behalf of clients, controlling messaging and information output. Provides intergovernmental and public policy consulting for local governments, companies and non-profits. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Currently, program managing a network of up to 150 non-profits across the State of California, allocating $24M in grant funds for a $5.2B Federal housing program. Increased client's public presence and competitiveness in the local and global market. Successfully negotiates and manages public policy strategies. Successfully engage client's targeted audiences using strong interpersonal relationship skills. Cultivates and maintains strong, ongoing working relationships with clients, local dignitaries, senior level public officials, community leaders and professional experts collaboratively meeting organizational needs.

Loaned Executive (Volunteer)

United Way of Madison County
Huntsville, AL
02.2015 - 01.2022
  • Play a key volunteer role in the success of the capital fundraising campaign. Works closely with the executive management team. Serves as an enthusiastic, energetic assistant, responsible for coordinating communication strategies to persuade corporate executives and community organizations to become donors. Responsible for prospect research, donor cultivation and stewardship, company presentations, meeting arrangements, campaign progress reports that reflect the mission and the vision of the organization. Prepares talking points for use in corporate presentations with multiple levels of management, including top level management. Develops and maintains relationships with donor organizations to ensure on-going support to meet objectives. Work closely with the Community Impact and Volunteer Division responsible for the distribution of capital campaign funds to over 29 delegate community services agencies. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Assisted in raising 42% ($2.4million) of the capital campaign goal in the first 3 months of the campaign. Successfully facilitated several campaign rallies motivating hundreds of company employees to contribute to the campaign. Developed expertise in fundraising, event planning, public speaking, community and public relations.

Consultant

Renesolar Power Holdings, LLC
Stamfort (Romote), CT
02.2018 - 01.2020
  • Services include introducing solar energy development projects to city and county governments. Engage stakeholders in preliminary discussions regarding the feasibility of initiation of projects utilizing available and potential economic development incentives that include tax abatement, tax increment reinvestment zones, public utility districts, and other public and private funding sources. Conducts extensive research and provides background information on business development opportunities. Makes presentations before various local government and non-governmental organizations. Proposes and implements strategic planning for potential economic and community development. Works with clients to shape business intelligence (BI) strategy, architecture, processes and budgets. Spearheaded strategic component development strategy in alignment with future project goals. Meets with stakeholders, collaborative teams and customers throughout entire system development life cycle. Coordinates resource development and budgets.

Adjunct Professor

University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Blvd
San Antonio, TX
08.2003 - 12.2014
  • Political science instructor in the Political Science and Geography Department. Courses involved the analysis of government institutions at all levels, public policy, political behaviors, budgets, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations. Lectures focused on the systemic analysis of public policy issues and decision-making processes including the instruction in the role of economic and political factors in public decision-making and policy formation, and the legislative process at all levels of government. Taught concentrations in macroeconomic analysis of policy issues, the management of public policy, executive-legislative relations, professional ethics, public budgetary processes and financial management, resource allocation, decision modeling, cost/benefit analysis, statistical methods and applications to specific public policy topics and research methods. Lectured an average of 150-200 students per session using multi-media technology including distance-learning. Analyzed and interpreted complex documents. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Enhanced student's ability to demonstrate their knowledge of politics through research, presentations, debates, public speaking using innovative, traditional and technological tools. Increased students understanding of how politics impacts their personal and professional success and assisted in the development of political and social engagement and advocacy. Motivated students to get involved in their community by broadening their knowledge and understanding of the political process. Regarded as one of the most popular political science professors on campus.

Vice President of Special Programs

George Gervin Youth Centers, Inc
San Antonio, TX
06.2009 - 05.2012
  • Executive leadership responsibilities included the development, implementation and administration of non-profit adult educational grant programs, collaboration of support services; workforce development; resource management, assistance with program promotion, events planning and community outreach. Served as workforce development coordinator demonstrating a broad knowledge of technical skills training and education, career fields, community engagement, and job placements. Served on the senior management team responsible for planning and administrating the organization's overall programs and projects. Analyzed organizational operations to evaluate program performance and compliance, determining potential cost reductions, program improvement and policy change. Directed, planned and implemented policies, objectives and program activities to ensure grant compliance and timely reporting. Prepared budget documents for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs. Negotiated and approved contracts and agreements with suppliers, vendors, distributors, local, federal or state agencies and other organizational entities. Prepared speeches, wrote articles, developed grant documents, wrote policies and procedures and presented information at internal and external meetings. Administered programs for site selections and provision for equipment and supplies. Served as an intergovernmental liaison between organization's stakeholders, local, state and federal government officials, businesses, community groups and other external entities. Actively involved in major decision-making and problem-solving activities. Monitored and controlled program resources. Implemented corrective actions plans to solve organizational and departmental problems. Extensively utilized Microsoft Office Suite. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Annually drew down over $450,000 in grant funds. Built and managed the workforce needed to staff the program including recruitment, selection, training, classification and compensation. Devised and launched budget control systems to measure performance and cost savings. Successfully transitioned 150 participants through program completion within first two years of the program. Built and maintained strong intergovernmental relationships between the organization and local community leaders and organizations. Provided support services that enhanced participants success through extensive community partnerships. Successfully marketed the grant programs using multi-media

City Council Member

City of San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
05.2005 - 06.2009
  • Served as an elected government official for the City of San Antonio responsible for the development and implementation of public policy regarding current and long-range objectives. Developed and passed critical ordinances and proposed courses of action in legislative matters for multi-faceted city government departments, a constituency of 1.7 million citizens, the 16,000 dedicated city employees and a $2.3 billion budget. Strategically planned and project managed multi-million dollar economic and community development projects and successfully facilitated their implementation. Consulted collaborated with senior officials of Congress, Governors, Mayors, State Legislators, local colleagues and other community groups engaging them in the development of programs and projects, providing leadership and advice on legislative program direction on local government public policy initiatives. Was responsible for the development, collaboration, and advocacy for the City's legislative agenda which included projects and initiatives that had a significant impact on the growth and governance of the City. Analyzed large complex documents. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Initiated public policy that was instrumental in the implementation of over $150 million in public infrastructure district-wide; Project managed the completion of over $129 million in economic development projects and the creation of 15,000 new jobs; Oversaw the implementation of $200 million in annual funding for transportation projects; Exhibited senior leadership subject matter expertise while presiding over and serving on various national and local intergovernmental boards and commissions such as: Metropolitan Planning (Transportation) Organization, Past Chair; Military Transformation Taskforce, Past Tri-Chair; Intergovernmental Relations for City of San Antonio, Past Chair; National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Past Board Member; National League of Cites - Economic Development/Community Development Committees; Texas Municipal League –Eminent Domain/Transportation Committee, Past member; Mayor Pro Tem

District Manager

Texas House of Representatives
San Antonio, TX
06.2003 - 10.2004
  • Public policy advisor and manager for the development of state legislation and coordination of community relations. Generated ideas for legislation, wrote press releases, articles, speeches, prepared legislative and regulatory testimony, drafted and edited legislation. Acted as primary liaison with members of the legislature and congress, their staff and legislative committees. Prepared representative to appeared before committees/groups and traveled to local and state-wide committee meetings to discuss legislative direction. Collaborated directly with legislators and legislative staff on all levels of government, community and non-profit organizations to interpret policies rules, regulations, and laws. Prepared briefing documents on a variety of subjects such as budgets, public infrastructure, housing, social services issues, public safety, BRAC, animal services, etc. Oversaw the operation and administration of the legislator's state capital and district offices. Performed a variety of functions both independently and in a team environment. Responsible for legislator's communications with the public, safeguarding confidentiality and discretion with pertinent information distributed and received. Exhibited a high level of professionalism in conduct, work ethic and appearance. Acquired and demonstrated a working knowledge of legislative rules, policies and procedures and the legislative process. Used the computer daily to perform research, track pertinent documents and legislation. Possessed strong written and verbal communication skills. Developed a strategy to provide clearly communicated information, listening skills and the pursuit of relevant questions. Regularly used the computer (including Microsoft Suite) to communicate with other staff members, legislators, lobbyists, the media and general public. Prioritized multiple tasks, worked efficiently within time constraints and deadlines, and handled stressful situations with the utmost professionalism. Analyzed and interpreted complex documents. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Successfully managed daily community relations by responding to incoming inquiries from over 150,000 constituents throughout the district, trouble-shooting public policy concerns. Collaborated on state-wide legislation advocacy on a variety of policy priorities, including but not limited to, transportation, education, property tax caps, renewable energy initiatives, mental health and social services issues. Exhibited consistent success coordinating community development projects with local, state and federal departments and other community organizations which included economic development, transportation and infrastructure, social services issues and budget appropriations. Managed a broad range of multi-million-dollar special projects such as highway improvement, human services, housing development, business development, and education initiatives. Built and maintained strong and effective working relationships with elected leaders and staff at all levels of government.

Legislative Aide/City Council

San Antonio, TX
10.2001 - 06.2003
  • Public policy advisor and chief of staff for research and development of local ordinances. Engaged in the coordination of administrative and community relations that ensured visibility and effectiveness for two city council members.  Policy manager for the development and policy interpretation of local rules and regulations and  laws.  Generated ideas for legislation, wrote press releases, articles, speeches, testimonies, and drafted and edited legislation.  Acted as primary liaison with members of the city council, state legislature and congress, their staff and committees.  Briefed city council member in preparation to appear before committees/groups and represented council member at various meetings to inform and communicate the council member's legislative agenda.  Developed briefing documents on a variety of subjects such as budgets, public infrastructure, housing, social services issues, public safety, budget, animal services, etc.  Oversaw the operation and administration of the city hall office.  Performed a variety of functions both independently and in a team environment.  Responsible for legislator's communications with the public, safeguarding confidentiality and discretion of pertinent information distributed and received.  Exhibited a high level of professionalism in conduct and work ethic.  Acquired and demonstrated a working knowledge of the city charter, city council rules, policies and procedures and the legislative process.  Used the computer daily to perform research, track documents and legislation, monitor traditional and social media.  ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  Successfully managed  handling day-to-day operations and community relations for two city council members.  Provided a high level of  responsiveness to constituent inquiries from over 130,000 residents.  Lead community development projects with city departments and community groups in economic development, infrastructure, budget, code compliance and an array of other city services to completion.  Built and maintained strong working coalitions with community leaders and elected representatives from all levels of government.  Successfully manages a broad range of multi-million-dollar special projects such as neighborhood improvements, bond projects, and public housing development.

Education

Technical or Occupational Certificate - Project Management

University of Alabama at Huntsville
2018

Master's Degree - Public Administration, Justice

University of Texas

Bachelor's Degree - Social Work/Urban Studies

Oakwood University

Skills

  • Visionary
  • Strategist
  • Public Policy/Government Relations
  • Public Relations
  • Economic Development
  • Community Relations and Planning
  • Budget/Fundraising/Resource Management
  • Communications/Public Relations
  • Project Management

Affiliations

  • Leadership Huntsville - Master's Class 2017
  • Civic/Government Image Award – 2011
  • 1st African-American women chair-  Metropolitan Planning Organization -    2007-2009
  •  City Public Service Energy – Amazing Energy Award for Community Service - 2009
  • ACTN -- Antioch Baptist Church – “Man In The Mirror” Award  - 2008
  • San Antonio Mobility Coalition Leadership Award – 2009
  • Leadership San Antonio - Class 27

Timeline

Consultant

Renesolar Power Holdings, LLC
02.2018 - 01.2020

Loaned Executive (Volunteer)

United Way of Madison County
02.2015 - 01.2022

Vice President of Special Programs

George Gervin Youth Centers, Inc
06.2009 - 05.2012

Managing Consultant

McNeil Consulting
10.2008 - Current

City Council Member

City of San Antonio
05.2005 - 06.2009

Adjunct Professor

University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Blvd
08.2003 - 12.2014

District Manager

Texas House of Representatives
06.2003 - 10.2004

Legislative Aide/City Council

10.2001 - 06.2003

Technical or Occupational Certificate - Project Management

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Master's Degree - Public Administration, Justice

University of Texas

Bachelor's Degree - Social Work/Urban Studies

Oakwood University

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