Curriculum Vitae
Arlene W. Williams
3766 Monteith Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
323 296-6107
Arlnewwllms@aol.com
SKILLS SUMMARY
Executive level professional with extensive experience in development, government
relations, project financing, operations, business and non-profit development. Skilled
in securing and managing federal, state, and local grants, and managing complex
projects. Responsible for securing more than $12 million in new resources over the
course of my career for public infrastructure improvements, business development,
and social programs. Extensive background in legislative advocacy for municipalities,
strategic planning, and leading collaborations among multiple levels of government.
Experienced in funder relations, including workout strategies and responding to audit
findings. Broad background in business development, including: business planning,
feasibility analysis, certifications, and finance. Developed and own successful
restaurant in downtown Culver City (second of two restaurants). Completed four
public facilities rehabilitation projects.
EMPLOYMENT
Co-Owner
Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken
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Negotiated 10-year lease for second restaurant in downtown Culver City
(redevelopment area).
Secured financing of $700,000 through various public and private sources
Assembled design and development team, and oversaw renovation activities
Facilitated marketing materials and menu development
Oversee administrative activities for $1.5 million company with two restaurants
Coordinate marketing and strategic positioning activities
Developed and implemented recovery plan following catastrophic fire
Principal Consultant
Warmack & Williams Vision Developers
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September 2004 - Present
September 2004 – Present
By referral only consulting practice in the areas of strategic and business planning,
community development, business development, certifications, and
grantsmanship.
Serve as Executive Director of Zoe Economic Development Corporation, based in
Whittier, California. Organization is currently planning an affordable housing
project on their five-acre campus. Secured tax exempt status with IRS, updated
and amended organization’s by-laws, and identified strategic partner to take lead
role in project.
Assistant City Manager
December 2003 – September 2004
City of Compton, CA
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Managed Community Development Departments of the City, including: Community
Redevelopment Agency, Planning, Building & Safety, Local Housing Authority, and
Economic & Resource Development, with combined budgets exceeding $50 million.
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Interfaced with developers and community members to bring new businesses to
the City.
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Coordinated major projects, including: Compton Creek Regional Garden Park,
Elderly Demonstration Grant, and Operation Redirection.
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Interfaced with local planning, operating, finance, and legal organizations to meet
local requirements and create positive relationship with community and civic
leaders.
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Negotiated and managed consultant contracts.
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Co-coordinated City’s first major paid admission summer concert. Project included
10 major recording artists. Concert drew 2,500 people.
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Served as Project Manager for the City’s State and Federal lobbyists.
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Co-Coordinated City’s first Financial Summit which included three simultaneous
venues. Developed Flash presentation, completed copy and financial analysis, set
up Power Point presentation, coached all facilitators and support staff.
Director Economic & Resource Development
May 1995-November 2003
City of Compton, CA
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Managed grant programs for City, including Community Development Block Grant
Program, HOME Partnership Act Program and Emergency Shelter Grant Program,
annual programs averaging $3.0 million.
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Coordinated two departments and served as Project Manager for the completion of
Compton CareerLink $550,000 renovation. Managed staff of 25 with average of 20
programs between the two departments.
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Coordinated development of Kloz Klozet boutique ($90,000), onsite retail training
facility, and new dance and music studios ($180,000) in bays on the seven acre
campus.
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Developed Monthly Economic Update Report for City which analyzed macro and
micro economic indicators.
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Traveled to Beijing and Shanghai, China and Accra and El Mina, Ghana on
economic development missions. Met with high level government officials in China
and Ghana on behalf of the City.
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Coordinated visits from Chinese business owners and educators.
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Testified before State Assembly and State Senate committees on economic
development matters affecting the City of Compton.
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Successfully lobbied State Assembly and State Senate for the creation of new
Enterprise Zone designations in the State.
Special Assistant
City of Compton, CA
February 1995 – May 1995
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Worked closely with City Manager to complete special projects.
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Member of City’s budget team, wrote narrative for budget and budget message.
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Coordinated public relations for City, wrote press releases, speeches, and
treatments for video programs.
Sr. Economic Development Specialist
Sept. 1993 – Feb. 1995
City of Compton, CA
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Focused on business retention and business attraction.
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Developed marketing materials
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Marketed Los Angeles Revitalization Zone (LARZ). Coordinated multi-city
conference in Compton. Developed LARZ Handbook for program that featured all
11 participating cities and was distributed by State as an informational tool.
Vice President Marketing
Sept. 1981 - Mar. 1992
Business Development Center of So. Cal.
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Assisted small, minority-owned businesses in expanding their businesses.
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Worked closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration to secure Section 8(a)
certification for businesses.
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Helped secure $1.1 million in new sales for clients
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Coordinated successful procurement fair and awards luncheon
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Received Black Business Association’s Individual Achievement Award in 1991.
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Developed business plans, feasibility studies, marketing plans, and financial
packages for start-up and expanding firms in a broad range of industries,
including: retail, wholesale, manufacturing, and services enterprises.
Paid Intern
June 1980 – September 1981
Data Resources, Inc. (DRI)
EDUCATION
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Assigned to Toyota Motor Sales, Inc., Marketing Planning Department.
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Helped develop forecasting models, manipulated time series and moving average
data on key economic variables. Prepared graphs of data for reports and
presentations.
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Maintained Monthly Economic Update which was distributed to top executives
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Provided support on Toyota’s Long Range Plan and Pricing Study.
Doctoral Candidate – Policy, Planning, and Development - Current
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
MBA Candidate – Finance and Business Economics
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
A.B. in Communication
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Professional Development
2004 ROSS Minority Program in Real Estate – University of Southern California
African American Leadership Institute – University of California at Los Angeles
1994-95 Community Scholars Fellow- University of California at Los Angeles,
Department of Planning
Numerous grantsmanship training programs sponsored by Federal and State agencies.
Numerous management and development courses, including Affordable Housing, Tax
Credits, and venture capital.
Areas of Expertise
Collaboration
Headed the following collaborative programs or initiatives on behalf of the City of Compton:
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Elderly Demonstration Project – project brought together physicians, nutritionists,
and a meals on wheels provider to study the impacts of regulated, nutritious meals on
the health outcomes of frail elderly. Also looked at ways to provide community support
to assist the elderly.
Compton Creek Task Force – Task force was convened by Congresswoman Juanita
Millender McDonald. Included: Army Corps of Engineers, State Water Quality Control
Board, Watershed Council, Supervisor Burke’s Deputy, Assemblyman Vincent’s
representative, LA County Public Works Department Heal the Bay, California
Conservation Corps, LA County Watershed Division, and several City Departments. Focus
was on maintaining the safety and aesthetic appeal of the watershed.
Compton CareerLink WorkSource Center – Coordinated and secured funding for a
major effort to renovate a city facility for the purpose of co-locating approximately 20
partners to create a one-stop center. Partners included: Employment Development
Department, Compton Community College, Compton Unified School District Regional
Occupational Program, Compton Unified School District Adult School, Los Angeles County
Department of Senior and Community Services, Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Successfully renovated facility, co-located partners, and secured one-stop designation.
Participated in the following collaborative programs:
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Compton Crime Task Force
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Gateway Cities
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Compton College Economic Development Collaborative
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South Los Angeles Economic Development Coalition
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Compton Blueline Televillage
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Compton Local Planning Council
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LA Means Business
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Los Angeles County Overall Economic Development Plan Committee
Community
Participation
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Designed and co-coordinated first city-wide financial summit. Drew 500 people in three
locations.
Staffed City’s Federal Grants Advisory Board which oversaw Community Development
Block Grant Program
Conducted numerous public hearings
Coordinated community participation effort for State Enterprise Zone
Coordinated City’s federal application for Enterprise Community. Successfully engaged
more than 200 people in regularly planning for the future of their city.
Grantsmanship
 Led planning team that organized and marketed a three-day intensive
training program entitled "Breakthrough Strategies for Winning Grants in
the 1990s." Served as trainer and facilitator for the program.
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Developed a Technical Assistance proposal submitted to HUD. Proposal
was funded for $280,702 to fund a business assistance center.
 Developed a Youth Entrepreneurship proposal submitted to HUD.
Proposal was funded for the maximum amount, $75,000.
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Member of proposal writing team for Multi-Call Projects. Proposals were
submitted to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and funded
for more than $2.0 million.
 Prepared quarterly reports for two HUD grants.
 Assisted in securing approximately $80,000 in customized training funds
Angeles County Private Industry Council (PIC).
Planned and presented a three-day seminar series for Compton-based nonprofits.
 Completed intensive two-day training in proposal writing.
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Developed two Gang Violence proposals for the State Office of Criminal
Justice Planning.
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Project manager Economic Development Initiative Grant. Secured
$500,000 grant for economic development projects
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Economic Development
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Actively involved in the successful recruitment of numerous companies to
the City of Compton, including:
SEDA International Plastics - 300,000 square foot facility
Cosway, Inc. - 123,000 square foot facility
Tireco – 120,000 square foot facility
Highland Design - 16,000 square foot facility
Freeman Cosmetics Corporation - 155,000 square foot facility
Automated Mailing and Binding Co. - 80,000 square foot facility
American Dawn, Inc. - 214,000 square foot facility
Global Computer Systems – 100,000 square foot facility
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Lead or was actively involved in the retention/expansion of companies in the City of
Compton, including:
Belkin Components – moved to larger facility in Compton
CDK/Steel Horse - moved into larger facility in Compton
National Fire Hose - consolidated two facilities at the City of Compton site
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Prepared the City's Los Angeles Revitalization Zone (LARZ) application.
The entire city was designated as part of this zone.
Conceived of and coordinated LARZ Joint Information Symposium with
seven of the 11 LARZ communities. Event was held in Compton and
attended by 125 individuals.
Conceived of, designed, and edited LARZ Handbook. This document has
been acclaimed throughout the State of California, and is the only
document of its kind which provides comprehensive information on the
LARZ.
Coordinated and wrote EGMS strategic plan 1993-94, and 1994-95.
Responsible for FEMA siting a Disaster Application Center in the City of
Compton following the civil unrest.
Analyzed banking market in the City of Compton. The analysis focused on
the merger between Bank of American and Security Pacific. Wrote
an article on the topic that was published in the Compton Bulletin.
Developed Goals & Objectives for a local banking commission.
Information will be used to establish direct ties for community development
projects between the City of Compton and local lenders.
In the process of developing Policies and Procedures Manual for City of
Compton Business Assistance Center (CCBAC).
Member of review team that meets quarterly with MRC to examine sales
tax revenue.
Member Compton Rebuild Team. Edited and authored portions of the
publication Operation Rebuild Compton.
City of Compton LARZ Coordinator. Have provided LARZ information
and training to approximately 200 organizations and individuals.
Member of City of Compton's Strategic Planning Team. Wrote and edited
portions of the City's strategic plan.
Developed press releases following the Civil Unrest. These releases were
published.
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Functioned in the capacity of expediter or ombudsman for selected new and
existing Compton businesses.
Maintained contact with brokers and property owners serving the City of
Compton. Responsible for bringing representatives from Prentiss
Properties and Grubb & Ellis to present information on business
retention needs to Department Heads.
Project Manager for City of Compton brochure. Developed copy, selected
theme and photographs used in promotional piece.
Conducted primary research on City of Compton employees to determine
local purchasing patterns. Developed survey design and survey
instrument. Tabulated results and interpreted data for use in developing
business training seminars for participants in the Shop & Buy Compton
Campaign.
Coordinated focus group between the leaders of the three ethnic groups in
Compton and the Federal Bureau of Justice following the Civil Unrest.
Currently facilitating application for the City of Compton to be designated
as a Recycling Market Development Zone. This designation will give
Compton advantages for attracting and retaining companies which utilized
recycled materials in their manufacturing processes.
Member and past chair, Shop & Buy Compton Campaign a promotional
program aimed at business retention through the recirculation of dollars
within the community.
Monitor and evaluate policies and programs within the City which hinder
or facilitate economic development. Make recommendations necessary to
create a positive environment to retain and attract businesses.
Completed a three-day training program entitled "Business Retention and
Expansion: Forging New Relationships Between Government and
Business," sponsored by the National Council for Urban Economic
Development, November 14 - 15, 1993.
Completed a three-day training program entitled “Economic Development
Legislative Conference,” held in Arlington, Virginia. Program was
sponsored by the National Council for Urban Economic Development,
September 25-27, 1994.
Admitted to the 1994-95 Community Scholars Program at UCLA. This
graduate-level 12-month, intensive program will examine economic
development issues surrounding the Alameda Corridor, and complete a
feasibility study for improving wage rates and working conditions among
workers.