Item 4F ITEM 4F
CITY OF
SOUTHLAKI
MEMORANDUM
January 27, 2016
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Shana K. Yelverton, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Council Confirmation of the City Manager's appointment of Robert
M. Cohen as the Director of Public Works.
Action
Requested: City Council confirmation of the City Manager's appointment of Robert
M. Cohen as Director of Public Works for the City of Southlake.
Background
Information: Chapter 4 of the Southlake Charter requires that "The head of each
department shall be a chief, director, or superintendent who shall be
appointed by the City Manager subject to the approval of the Council
and such chief, director or superintendent shall have supervisory
authority and financial control over his/her department."
Robert M. Cohen recently retired from the United States Navy after 20
years of service. During his tenure with the Navy, Mr. Cohen gained
experience in public works operations, capital improvement programs
and projects, strategic planning, financial management, workforce
development, safety and communications. He served in many
capacities including Energy Program Manager, Equipment Program
Manager, Project Manager, and Public Works Director. In his role as a
Public Works Director, he was responsible for plant-wide infrastructure
valued at more than $1 billion across multiple countries. He has led
teams of 130 employees and managed budgets up to $40 million. He
has coordinated disaster recovery operations including winter weather
events. He has experience working with capital and maintenance
projects to include the development, award, administration and
closeout of those projects. He also has experience negotiating and
resolving right of way, easement, encroachment and surplus property
issues with utility providers, municipalities and local residents. In
addition, he instituted a balanced scorecard framework to direct
strategic and global planning and drove plan integration by linking
vision, priorities, people and infrastructure.
Mr. Cohen has a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from
Texas A&M University, a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council ITEM 41
January 27, 2016
Page 2
Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Science in Construction
Management from Texas A&M University. He is also a registered
Professional Engineer (PE) in Virginia.
As the Director of Public Works, Mr. Cohen will assume full
management responsibility for the Department of Public Works. He will
manage and supervise all activities related to the administration of the
department including administration and engineering services,
facilities, engineering inspections, stormwater utility, streets and
drainage maintenance, water administration, water utilities and
maintenance, wastewater collection and the Capital Improvements
Program. He will be responsible for managing the development and
implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and
priorities in alignment with the City's Strategic Management System
and Southlake's 2030 Comprehensive Plan elements. The department
consists of 65.5 full-time equivalent employees, including the director,
and has a FY 2016 General Fund budget of $4,892,016, Utility Fund
budget of$15,386,353 and a CIP budget of $12,670,000.
Mr. Cohen's appointment brings extensive public works experience to
the organization and provides no negative budgetary impact. With
your approval, Mr. Cohen will begin work on February 15, 2016.
Financial
Considerations: An offer of employment has been extended to Mr. Cohen with a
monthly salary of $10,833 plus the standard executive benefit
package.
Strategic Link: Performance Management and Service Delivery: attract, develop and
retain a skilled workforce.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: N/A
Legal Review: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Supporting
Documents: Mr. Cohen's Resume
Staff
Recommendation: City Council confirm the City Manager's appointment of Robert M.
Cohen as Director of Public Works.
Robert M . Cohen
Fairfax Station,VA 22039 1 619.857.1509 1 robert.m.cohenl@hotmail.com I www.linkedin.com/in/robmcohen
Delivers Municipal Services&Capital Projects....Hands-On Leader Achieving Exceptional Results
A public works ambassador -- strategically focused, versatile, results-driven Executive leading teams from the front. Offers a
career hallmarked with proven leadership and expertise as a senior leader, manager and engineer in charge of infrastructure
management, capital projects, acquisition, planning, real estate, environmental and utility services in the U.S. Navy. A
principled decision maker with a passion for service as well as organizational and individual development.A dynamic problem
solver with strong program and project management experience. Successful experience developing and managing large
budgets. Accomplished leader and change agent delivering client focused services. Committed to the highest levels of
professional and personal excellence. International experience stemming from distinguished naval career.
Profit&Loss: Budgets to$40M+ • Team Size: Up to 130+, not including contractors
UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE —ONGOING IMPROVEMENT WITH 3 DEGREES
Master of Engineering, Civil Engineering,Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering,Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Science, Construction Management,Texas A&M University
Registered Professional Engineer(Civil),Virginia • Trained as Financial Specialist
Member, Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition Corps • Certified DoD Level II Facility Engineer
Procurement/Contracting Quality Assurance&Customer Satisfaction Budget Development& Execution
Employee Engagement Resource Management&Stewardship Long Range&Strategic Planning
Municipal Operations Executive&Strategic Communication Staff& Risk Management
Process Improvement Inter-/Intra-Agency Collaboration Succession Planning
Professional Experience & Impact
United States Navy 11995-Present
Held roles in public works,program, asset and facilities management and capital improvements, achieved rank of
Commander.
Public Works Operations, Capital Improvements, Collaboration &Customer Service
• Handpicked as Public Works Director for municipality rated as having the "highest military value". Responsible for plant-
wide infrastructure valued at $1B+, encompassing 11K+ non-contiguous acres across multiple counties. Aligned,
directed and coordinated work of various divisions. Provided efficient, quality service, 24/7, 365 days.
• Budgeted, monitored, resourced and efficiently executed $12M+ annual public works business volume. Oversaw safe
execution of 2.4K+ labor hours for snow removal, 7.2K emergency calls and 71 in-house projects.
• Delivered administrative and engineering services. Provided inspections and administration, maintenance and
operation of stormwater,water and wastewater utilities. Integrated and supervised in-house and contracted preventive
and corrective maintenance for infrastructure and facilities. In-house quality assurance ensured infrastructure
supported the safe storage and transportation of 52K+tons of high explosives through densely populated counties.
• Directed disaster recovery operations. Crews: used heavy equipment in sub-zero temperatures and freezing rain to
clear 90+ fallen trees from rail and roads; restored municipal utility service; repaired 2+ miles of non-contiguous
security fence; erected temporary housing for 80+ families. Operations expended 3K+ man-hours without a safety
incident. Requested municipal leaders recognize 20+ individuals with letters of appreciation for their work.
• Interim program manager for $350M+ Presidential Directive. Managed construction, planning and sustainment
activities associated with creating new municipalities overseas. Aligned inclusive and diverse partnerships. Coordinated
efforts with 20+ stakeholders across multiple agencies on 2 continents. Quickly moved $20M+ of stalled actions to
completion.
• Accountable for development, award, administration and closeout of $245M+ capital and maintenance projects and
services for multiple tenants and stakeholders in 2 states. Ensured projects and services complied with Federal, State
and local laws, codes, ordinances and regulations.
• Selected as program manager for $8.2M utility assessment, training and maintenance contract. Coordinated effort
among 10+ user groups with competing priorities and projects in Iraq. Set program prioritiel?,ag@v fea7strategic
Robert M. Cohen I Page 2 of 2
initiatives, supervised and tracked to completion or turnover. Built vital network to accomplish the must-not-fail
infrastructure support mission. Lifecycle improved by 70%within months of program implementation.
• Evaluated customer feedback. Transformed project delivery model to boost customer service. U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy agreed for organization to continue to be the sole execution agent for the Academy's 10 year, $130M
recapitalization program.
Strategic Planning, Financial Stewardship & Business Acumen
• Instituted a balanced scorecard framework to direct strategic and global planning (long-term bridge between
Warfighter Strategic Objectives and the physical infrastructure needed to support them). Drove plan integration linking
vision, priorities, people and infrastructure. Developed Capital Asset, Infrastructure, Utilities Master and Space
Management Plans.
• Utilized a strategic management system to aid in developing, defending and executing a $41M+ global equipment
program for national interests. Products became part of the Presidential Budget. Maintained financial reporting on
multiple monetary categories over multi-year planning horizons.Achieved annual execution rate of 98%.
• Analyzed and streamlined antiquated work processes. Used novel approaches to improve business operations.
Instituted changes that saved $240K+ of scarce sustainment dollars. Direct labor revenue outperformed 5 similar sized
Public Works Departments.
• Generated annual physical plant operations report. Ensured activities aligned with established goals and objectives that
supported global and local requirements. Delivered facilities acquisition, installation support and contingency
engineering services. Developed and managed rate structures and capital budgets. Income within 6%of projections.
Human Resources, Workforce Development, Safety&Communications
• Provided vision, care and leadership for municipality's largest department of civilian and military specialists. Supported
Affirmative Action and EEO objectives, oversaw personnel management and labor relations, including selection,
training, promotions, performance appraisals, discipline,grievances and termination.
• Championed employee succession plan. Improved opportunities for upward mobility. Created employee awards and
recognition program that improved morale.Turnover decreased by 70%. Grievances slashed by 95%over 36 months.
• Instituted Operational Risk Management Program. Emphasized on-site inspections and management's involvement as
part of the Department's Safety Program. Improved workforce health, safety and medical monitoring by 5%. Directed
315K+ labor hours of work with zero Loss Time Accidents. Crane/rigging shop completed 37K+ lifts without incident.
• Negotiated and resolved tenuous right of way, easement, encroachment and surplus property issues with utility
providers, municipalities and local residents. Preserved relationships with stakeholders. Eliminated liability and
maintenance costs. Saved $40K+annually.
• Represented the Navy at local, region, state and federal meetings. Collaborated with agencies, academia and industry
for regulatory compliance, funding opportunities and cooperative partnering initiatives. Authored and entered into
mutually beneficial agreements/understandings on the Navy's behalf.
• Composed and conveyed information to federal, state and locally elected and appointed officials, agency and
institutional leaders, media outlets and concerned citizens at a variety of venues regarding proposals, projects and
activities.
Navy Experience
Energy Program Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC),Washington, DC 2011-Present
Equipment Program Manager, Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC),Washington, DC 2009-2011
Deputy Division Director/Project Manager, Multi-National Security Transition Command, Baghdad, Iraq 2008-2009
Public Works Director, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck, NJ 2005-2008
Graduate School,Texas A&M University, College Station,TX 2004-2005
Director,Waterfront Services& Construction Operations, Naval Base San Diego, San Diego, CA 2002-2004
Public Works Director, Commander in Chief U.S.Atlantic Fleet Headquarters, Norfolk,VA 2000-2002
Other Navy Assignments 1995-2000
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
Military Officer's Association of America • American Public Works Association
Mentor, Society of American Military Engineers • Boy Scouts of America • Small Business Owner
Published Author of "How the United States Navy is Approaching Renewable Ocean Energy"(Marine Technology)