Johnson & Associates Austin, TX • 512.339.9000 J&A ... Exceeding Expectations in Community Economic Development Since 1986!

IN THIS ISSUE

Happy Thanksgiving

New Job Opportunity

Thank You

The War for Talent is Over…

Announcement

Executive Recruitment

Upcoming Events

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Who is Johnson & Associates?

If you're receiving this news brief for the first time, you're probably wondering who in the world is Johnson & Associates (J&A) and why am I receiving this information?  We've been in operation since 1986 providing economic development, community development and executive search assistance on both a national and international level.   Review our web site at www.jatoday.com and learn more about us and our products. And if you decide you don't want to receive any mailings ever again, just let us know and we'll remove your name immediately.  But remember, if we remove your name, you won't be receiving notice of what may be the perfect position or program for you. If you are receiving duplicate e-mails, let us know which e-mail address you prefer we use.  Keep JAToday coming!   Please add us to your address book or approved sender list. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

New Position Opportunity!

Sachse (TX) Economic Development Corporation

POSITION: Economic Development Director

ORGANIZATION: Sachse (TX) Economic Development Corporation 

CITY POPULATION: 20,000

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Supervises the Sachse Economic Development Corporation, strengthen the local tax base, improve the economic environment of the community, and assists in the retention and expansion of business in Sachse, Texas.

History of The Sachse Economic Development Corporation

In 1994, the citizens of Sachse established the Sachse Economic Development Corporation through a referendum vote.   The Sachse EDC is a non-profit organization created to support companies during their site selection, community evaluation, and business expansion process.

A seven-member Board of Directors supervises the Sachse Economic Development Corporation.  Board Members are volunteers who reside in Sachse and want to strengthen the local tax base and improve the economic environment of the community.  The Mission of the Sachse EDC Board of Directors is to assist in the retention and expansion of business in Sachse.

Some of SEDC’s goals are:

> Attract desirable businesses and industries

> Retain and expand existing businesses and industries

> Facilitate President George Bush Tollway

> Initiate and build a town center

> Be a very open and accessible community organization

> Provide city services at low cost to local taxpayer

The Sachse Economic Development Corporation wants to facilitate a local government that is responsive and beneficial to business.  The Sachse EDC is prepared to advance a public-private partnership intended to help Sachse grow and prosper - a partnership that generates new job opportunities, increased capital investment, and overall community improvement.  Sachse EDC wishes to set forth a foundation for local businesses that builds on the character and quality of life in the community.

The Community

Sachse is a rural community that is growing rapidly with the expansion of the North Dallas telecom corridor and the 190 President George Bush Turnpike extending through the southern part of the City. The city is located approximately 20 miles northeast of downtown Dallas on Highway 78; 3 miles north of Highway 190, (President George Bush Tollway) which provides quick and easy access to Plano, Richardson, Garland, North Dallas and Central Expressway. 

Mostly residential, retail and commercial businesses are beginning to develop along Highway 78. With the adoption of the updated Comprehensive Plan, the City is poised for future growth within the realm of the country living atmosphere.

The City of Sachse is on the cutting edge of ‘Green.’ Here are some of Sachse’s accomplishments on the ‘Green scene’:

•Sachse is one of the first cities in the State of Texas to allow residential wind generation.

•Sachse is one of the first cities in the United States to have a LEED Certified municipal campus.

•Sachse is a Tree City USA city.

•Sachse is a leader in Energy Star residential development.

•Sachse is currently working on an incentive-based program to encourage sustainable commercial development. 

This growing community offers a variety of activities both in and around the City. Sachse Fallfest, an annual event that draws over 10,000 people from surrounding areas, is an annual arts and crafts country fair. The Sachse Public Library contains over 20,000 volumes. The library sponsors preschool and summer reading activities for children, as well as various community interest programs for all age groups. Because of its close proximity, Sachse has quick access to all cultural activities in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, including museums, professional and local amateur theater, and historical attractions.  The Firewheel Outdoor Mall in Garland on Highway 78, located approximately three miles from Sachse, offers great retail shopping and an array of restaurants and family entertainment.  Sachse has an active Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Toastmasters and Sachse Seniors Program.

Sachse is served by the Garland and Wylie Independent School Districts. Students living in Dallas County attend Garland schools and those living in Collin County attend Wylie schools. Continuing education is served by a wide variety of universities and community colleges in both Dallas and Collin counties, several within a short commute.

Find out more at these links:

Economic Development Corporation 

http://www.cityofsachse.com/edc/default.asp

City of Sachse

http://www.cityofsachse.com/

Chamber of Commerce  

http://www.sachsechamber.com/

Garland ISD

http://www.garlandisd.net/

Wylie ISD

http://www.wylieisd.net/default.wspx

WORK ENVIRONMENT BEHAVIOR REQUIREMENTS: 

• Urgency
  The job requires decisiveness, quick response, and fast action.  It will often be involved in critical situations demanding that on-the-spot decisions be made with good judgment.  The job will repeatedly face important deadlines that must be met on time.

• Frequent Change
  The job requires a comfort level with "juggling many balls in the air at the same time!"  It will be asked to leave several tasks unfinished, and easily move on to new tasks with little or no notice.

• Frequent Interaction with Others
  The job requires a strong "people orientation," versus a task orientation.  The job will comfortably deal with multiple interruptions on a continual basis, always maintaining a friendly interface with others.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Education and Experience
• The successful candidate should have an Associate's Degree in a relevant field of study.
• A minimum of 5 years experience in community and economic development in a senior management position with a record of success in economic development projects.
• Certification in economic development is preferred.
• Economic Development Finance Professionals are encouraged to apply.
• Political astuteness and knowledge of state and federal economic/community development agencies and programs
• History of involvement in the community through civic clubs, non-profit agencies, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal and group facilitation skills
• Job and personal satisfaction derived from employment in a position such as this in a community with the quality of life opportunities available in our area.
• Compensation and Benefits
• Salary:  $85,000 +/- DOQ
• Auto Allowance
• Insurance
• Continuing Education
• Relocation Assistance
• Residency Expectation  
  Must live within the City limits once hired 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit cover letter, current resume, current salary and salary history, and at least five work related references including contact numbers by January 29, 2010. Finalists will complete a thorough interview and background investigation process to include verification of all credentials and experience. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Under Texas Open Records Statutes, identities of the candidates are subject to public disclosure.

Submit resumes to: Johnson & Associates; c/o Sachse Search; 8308 Tecumseh Drive; Austin, TX  78753- 5745 or Johnson@JAToday.com.  Resume packages will be accepted until January 29, 2010 or until the position is filled.  We strongly suggest applicants submit a video showing communication and presentation skills.  If you are interested in submitting a video, please contact Johnson & Associates at 512.339.9000 to request a copy of the guidelines.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank You!

Thank you to all of you who shared with us your account of a random act of kindness!  For Chloe’s birthday last month, she had asked for friends who were interested, to celebrate her birthday with her by performing a random of kindness for the benefit of someone else.

Your stories were amazing and moving!  Chloe is incredibly thankful for your generosity!  Thank you for Paying it Forward!!  This was the best birthday gift ever!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The War For Talent is Over…And Talent Won!!

“We no longer have a bottomless pool of talent to do the work that is needed. 

Even highly successful businesses are scrambling to tap this limited pool and

are adapting their business and workplace to address a new normal”.

-Carl Camden, CEO of Kelly Services                                                                  

J&A’s partner, HRGroup, conducted a study earlier this year on workforce and leadership.

In the current economic environment where leaders are focusing on budgets and margins, talent development may be receiving little, if any, attention.  We think this view is short-sighted.

EDGE 2009 reports that 47% of the mangers they surveyed indicated that “a shortage of qualified applicants” is their top hiring challenge and that 45% of current employees plan to change “jobs, careers or industries” when the economy recovers.   What’s a leader to do? 

If qualified candidates aren’t available “out there” and current workers are seeking change, it is time for leaders to view leadership and talent development within their organization as mission-critical.   Leaders should look inside their organizations to address challenges and focus on developing and retaining existing talent since talent development is not just a means to outlast the recession --- it anticipates what is required for future success.

A study HRGroup conducted earlier this year revealed that only 60% of the entire workforce in the polled organizations was categorized as both Motivated and Competent.  A leadership and talent development program that increased the degree of engagement/satisfaction and skill level incrementally, say by 3% or 5% or 7%, would result in significant performance, productivity and profitability increases.  

It’s not difficult to determine what should be done. Leaders must determine what their managers and workers are thinking --- what they need, what they want, what they expect, what they are looking forward to and what pleases or frustrates them about their job.   In some instances merely opening an informal dialogue with workers can yield the necessary insights; in other instances it may be best to gather insights via a survey instrument regarding such matters as work processes, relationships, leadership and work management issues. 

HRGroup can help you determine your best course of action, but whatever course you choose we recommend that you focus on and invest in a leadership and talent development program for your workforce.

Call J&A today to learn more about how HRGroup can help your business succeed!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Announcement

Chloe’s friends and colleagues, Charlie Dromgoole, CCE, has partnered with Jerry Huffman, CCE, to form, Solutions! Consulting, a strategic planning company for associations, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce and other non-profit and governmental entities. With a combined 70+ years in non-profit management, their firm can help your organization with planning retreats, 3-5 year strategic plans, financial plans, operation and administrative reviews, leadership surveys, board orientations, disaster planning, and a variety of manuals designs (personnel, policies/procedures, new member, and operations).

Congratulations to Solutions! Consulting! Please contact Charlie Dromgoole, CCE at charliedromgoole@gmail.com or at 512-705-5851 to learn more!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Executive Recruitment Services

If your organization is considering a search for a new economic developer, chamber executive, city manager, police chief, or any other position, J&A will search the entire country for the applicants who will be the right fit for your organization.  For over 23 years, we have earned a strong reputation for careful placement of the ideal candidates for many organizations. 

You can trust our experience and 10,000+ strong database to match you with the applicants you desire to fill your positions!  We encourage you to speak with some of our clients to find out how pleased they were with our executive recruitment services.

Call J&A today to learn how affordable and valuable this service could be to you!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Upcoming Events

Join J&A at the Texas Economic Development Council's 2010 Winter Meeting, January 20 - 22, 2010, at the Isla Grand Beach Resort in South Padre Island, TX.  Register today at www.texasedc.org

Join J&A at the International Economic Development Council's Managing EDO?s Training Course being held January 28 - 29 and the Leadership Summit, January 31 - February 2, 2010, at the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center in The Woodlands, TX. 

While there, Chloe Johnson will be a grader for those participating in the CEcD Exam.  The Certified Economic Developer exam tests a practitioner’s broad-based knowledge in economic development.  Rather than testing an individual on their specialty, the test is intended to unite the field of economic development and establish a base line of what is considered the core body of knowledge for economic developers.

The Texas Community Development Institute is preparing for another great year!  CDI is designed to train community development professionals and volunteers in the techniques of modern leadership and management of community development efforts and challenges in today’s society.

The 2010 session is March 1-5th in The Woodlands, Texas at Lonestar College!  If you register before January 15th, you can get the early bird prices!

J&A recommends this extremely valuable and widely respected professional development course, and encourages you to consider CDI, especially if you are interested in earning your PCED (Professional Community & Economic Developer) certification!

You can register today at www.lonestar.edu/cdi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Johnson & Associates, A Full Service

Community Economic Development Provider.
We deal in futures ..... yours!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~