Zach Seal
Pleasant Hill,CA
Summary
21 years of experience in economic development, business support, city planning, and grant writing. Noteworthy record of implementing and managing an array of programs and projects. Proven experience at building consensus and forging partnerships among residents, community stakeholder groups, property owners, and elected officials. Articulate spokesperson and presenter, including public presentations and persuasive writings.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Management Analyst & Economic Development Coordinator
City of Martinez
10.2017 - Current
- Outdoor Dining and Retail Program
- Small Business MicroGrant Program
- Coordinated with Public Works, Planning, Police Department, and City Attorney to draft Program guidelines; review and process applications.
- Presented initial program parameters and now provide program updates to City Council, City Council Subcommittees, and City commissions.
- Oversaw development of City’s Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), including over 100 group and one-on-one meetings with economic stakeholders, and data analysis.
- Served as Chair (2019-2021) of the Economic Development Directors’ Council for the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.
- Member of the Contra Costa County Transportation Authority Technical Advisory Committee
- Oversaw development and now manage the 4Martinez.org website, promotional video, and marketing campaign to promote our City’s retail, restaurant, and personal service businesses.
- Negotiated and now manage City’s contract for five BigBelly landfill/recycling stations.
- Completed Utility Box Beautification Project, including drafting RFP; managing application reviews through the Cultural & Arts Commission; and coordination with artists, photograph scanner, and vinyl wrap vendor to prepare art installation.
- Drafted License Agreement and managed launch of the Martinez Sturgeon professional baseball team.
- Conduct frequent outreach to the business community through email lists, in-person storefront site visits, and collaboration with the Main Street Martinez merchant organization.
- Created content and layout for the Martinez Small Business Resource website, including information about grants, loans, and other employer benefits & resources.
- Manage City contracts, including the Martinez Sturgeon professional baseball team, lease extensions with a local restaurant on City property, BigBelly landfill/recycle station, Chamber of Commerce, and Main Street Martinez agreements.
- Draft City Manager Report articles and press releases highlighting local businesses and updating the City Council and community on economic development activities.
Economic Development Specialist
City of Oakland
07.2008 - 10.2017
- Conceived, secured funding for, and launched the free Broadway Shuttle to connect transit stations to downtown businesses and office buildings; annual ridership exceeds 700,000.
- Established a Public-Private Partnership and raised $6.3 million from 30+ grants and private sponsorships to fund the Broadway Shuttle and keep it free for all riders.
- Worked closely with Downtown and Uptown Business Improvement Districts and West Oakland Business Advisory Committee to provide updates to directors and incorporate feedback into City projects of interest to the community.
- Public outreach and marketing:
- Wrote content and oversaw graphic design of Oakland map and restaurant guide.
- Organized and lead community meetings with 70+ members of the public.
- Provided Business Client Services:
- Site location assistance.
- Referrals to organizations that provide loans and pro-bono business consulting.
- Managed consultants and supervised fiscal and economic impact analyses.
City Planner
City of Alameda
09.2006 - 07.2008
- Worked with developers, property owners, and architects on projects such as renovations of historic buildings, a hotel expansion, and a parking lot reconfiguration.
- Wrote staff reports and presented to City Council, Planning Commission, and Historical Advisory Board on Variance, Use Permit and historic building demolition applications.
- Reviewed project applications for CEQA compliance.
City Planning Assistant
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
02.2006 - 08.2006
- Convened meetings and conducted interviews with Bay Area residents to obtain input for the Bay Area Long-range Planning, Transportation, and Sustainability Plan.
- Researched local government General Plans and Specific Plans to help complete ABAG's Population and Employment Projections and Regional Housing Allocation reports.
Assistant City Planner
Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina
05.2003 - 09.2003
- Co-authored resolution to clean contaminated sites and build Transit-Oriented Development projects in low-income communities.
- Helped the effort to form new Redevelopment Area in a blighted Los Angeles County district.
Community Development Grant Coordinator
City of Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department
10.2001 - 01.2003
- Supervised 15 grant writers, and co-wrote and oversaw development of 18 grant proposals for recreation centers, basketball gyms, and childcare projects.
- Oversaw $2.5 million in approved grant applications.
Economic Development Grant Coordinator
Genesis Los Angeles Economic Growth Corporation
05.2000 - 09.2001
- Collaborated with elected officials and community groups, collected and analyzed data, and wrote grant proposals to fund development projects on abandoned and contaminated sites.
- Marketed urban development sites to major retailers by explaining the strategic advantages of the sites.
Education
Master of City Planning (Economic Development specialization) -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC01.2004
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology -
University of California at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA01.1998
Awards And Volunteer Work
- Elected IFPTE Local 21 President to represent 400 City of Oakland workers and serve on the labor negotiation bargaining team.
- Nominated for two Oakland Indie Award in the “Social Changemaker” and “Greenie
Timeline
Senior Management Analyst & Economic Development Coordinator
City of Martinez
10.2017 - Current
Economic Development Specialist
City of Oakland
07.2008 - 10.2017
City Planner
City of Alameda
09.2006 - 07.2008
City Planning Assistant
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
02.2006 - 08.2006
Assistant City Planner
Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina
05.2003 - 09.2003
Community Development Grant Coordinator
City of Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department
10.2001 - 01.2003
Economic Development Grant Coordinator
Genesis Los Angeles Economic Growth Corporation
05.2000 - 09.2001
Master of City Planning (Economic Development specialization) -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology -
University of California at Los Angeles
Similar Profiles
Kim ChildersKim Childers
Administrative Aide III at City of MartinezAdministrative Aide III at City of Martinez
Kenzie KirshenKenzie Kirshen
Swim Instructor at Rankin Aquatic Center, City Of MartinezSwim Instructor at Rankin Aquatic Center, City Of Martinez
Seth KlotchmanSeth Klotchman
Community Service Member at City Of LivermoreCommunity Service Member at City Of Livermore
Erich HauErich Hau
Project Manager at Advance MarketingProject Manager at Advance Marketing
Brooke FarrarBrooke Farrar
Head Band Director at Freedom High School Instrumental Music ProgramHead Band Director at Freedom High School Instrumental Music Program