Muddasar Tawakkul Esq.
November 2, 2015
Michigan Municipal League
Attn: Washtenaw Search
1675 Green Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
RE: Washtenaw County Administrator Position (Confidential)
Dear Sir or Madam:
Presently, I am employed as the Director of Compliance and Purchasing for the Detroit
Wayne Mental Health Authority (Authority). I am seeking a position as the Washtenaw
County Administrator; where I can utilize my extensive fifteen-year (15)
legal background in municipal law, executive management, grant administration,
economic development, public procurement, labor relations, contracts, regulatory
compliance and real estate transactions.
In my role as Director of Compliance and Purchasing for the Detroit Wayne Mental
Health Authority, I am responsible for ensuring that behavioral health services are
provided to over 76,000 individuals within the parameters of state and
federal requirements. In addition, my responsibility includes the day-to-day management
of annual procurements of approximately $700 million dollars. I have authored various
policies for the Authority, including: compliance plan; standard of conduct; conflict of
interest; and procurement. Moreover, I have negotiated complex real estate, information
technology and professional service contracts. Furthermore, I am “Certified in Healthcare
Compliance” by the Compliance Certification Board. Thus, effectively demonstrating
that I am willing to acquire the necessary knowledge to become an experienced and
proven leader who has effectively delivered innovative and strategic solutions that have
helped better serve the state’s largest mental health service provider.
Prior to joining the Authority in October 2013, I served as the Purchasing Director for
Wayne County for two-and-a- half years, and before that, as Assistant Corporation
Counsel for eight (8 ) years. My tenure at Wayne County provided valuable experience
county experience in management and development of public policy. For instance, the
following is a partial list of my major accomplishments at Wayne County:
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Lead legal advisor to the Retirement Board, Clerk’s Office, Purchasing,
Management and Budget and Personnel Department;
Negotiated and drafted various complex real estate, construction and technology
contracts;
Legal liaison between the County Executive and the County Commission;
Advised and coordinated the management of over $40 million of federal
economic development grants;
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Successfully managed all operational and legal requirements of the Detroit
Demolition Project resulting in the demolition of 450 properties in a record 45
business days;
Authored the 2006 Wayne County Procurement Ordinance that governed the
annual purchase of approximately $1 billion of goods and services;
Drafted and assisted in the adoption of the Wayne County Halal/ Kosher
Ordinance;
Drafted and facilitated in the implementation of the amendments to the Wayne
County Environmental Health Code;
Developed procurement policies and procedures pertaining to the County’s Fair
Employment Practices, certification procedures, and appeals process;
Assisted in the establishment of the Wayne County Land Bank Authority and
Detroit Region Aerotropolis (i.e. VantagePoint);
In addition, I was one of a few attorneys that was fortunate to advise every department of
Wayne County, including departments headed by elected officials, in legal matters,
strategic planning and public policy. Through this experience, I have gained a thorough
and intricate knowledge of county operations and the proficiency in managing
intergovernmental affairs and setting strategic priorities.
My experience at Wayne County also exhibits that I am a consensus builder that is
dedicated to ensuring that individuals work together to fulfill the organization’s goals.
For instance, when I was appointed the Purchasing Director, the division was low
performing with low employee morale that resulted in delays in procuring goods and
services. During my tenure, the division increased its performance and the employee’s
morale was dramatically raised, which was demonstrated by the division receiving
“Employee Achievement Awards” in 2011 and 2012.
In addition to my professional career, I am involved in several community and civic
organizations including National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(Detroit-Branch)-Executive Board Member; Legal Aid and Defenders Association, Inc.,
Board of Directors; and Michigan Basic Property Insurance Association, Board of
Governors.
I would appreciate the opportunity to prove that my training and personal characteristics
parallel those desirable for employment in your organization. If successful in obtaining
this position, my salary requirement is $165,000 plus benefits. Enclosed please find a
copy of my most current resume and references. I would be honored to meet with you at
your earliest convenience to discuss employment opportunities. I look forward to hearing
from you in the near future, and I thank you in advance for the consideration.
Respectfully Submitted,
Muddasar Tawakkul Esq.
MUDDASAR A. TAWAKKUL ESQ.
PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT: Experienced and proven leader who effectively uses 15 years of
legal experience, exceptional management, interpersonal and communications skills to deliver innovative,
strategic solutions that consistently deliver results on time and above target.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Appointed to serve as Director of Compliance/Purchasing for Detroit Wayne Mental Health
Authority, the state’s largest mental health service provider servicing over 70,000 consumers;
Successfully implemented the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority’s Compliance Plan;
Appointed Purchasing Director for Wayne County;
Authored Wayne County, Michigan’s procurement policies governing the county’s annual
purchase of approximately $1 billion of goods and services;
Coordinated the management of over $40 Million of federal economic development grants;
Successfully managed all operational and legal requirements of the Detroit Demolition Project
resulting in the demolition of 450 properties in a record 45 business days;
Served as development officer to attract new businesses and investments to Wayne County,
Michigan including the new $100 Million General Electric Advanced Manufacturing and
Aviation facilities in Van Buren Township;
Received numerous Wayne County Employee Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 including
“Outstanding Team Leader” and “Outstanding Project Manager.”
Certified in Health Care Compliance (CHC) from Compliance Certification Board.
EXPERIENCE
Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (Authority)
Director of Compliance and Purchasing
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October 2013-Present
Detroit, Michigan
Chief Procurement Officer responsible for the day-today management of annual procurements of
approximately $700 million dollars.
Reviews major solicitations, contracts, coordinates contract compliance, change orders and
resolves contract claims or issues;
Drafted the Authority’s Procurement Policy and all related procedures.
Chief Compliance Officer responsible for advising the President/CEO and the Board of new and
routine regulatory and compliance issues.
Developed a compliance plan, standard of conduct, and conflict of interest policies for the
Authority’s Board and staff pursuant to federal and state laws;
Developed reporting, investigation, and administrative hearing policies for compliance violations;
Conducted risk assessments and assisted with external audits;
Responsible for conducting all compliance related education and training for the Authority’s
Board and staff;
Implemented short and long-range organizational goals and objectives and monitored and
evaluated operational effectiveness.
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Wayne County Purchasing Department
Director of Purchasing
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January 2012- Present
Detroit, Michigan
Primarily Responsible for the day-to-day management of annual procurements of approximately
$1 billion on behalf of Wayne County Government and its agencies;
Established and implemented short and long-range organizational goals, objectives, policies and
operating procedures, monitors and evaluates operational effectiveness, effects changes required
for improvement;
Develops annual budgets for the division and performs periodic cost and productivity analyses;
Reviews major procurement contracts, coordinates contract compliance, change orders and
problem resolution in conformance with contract law, consults with corporation counsel as
required;
Serves as the primary advisor for all County departments, vendors and staff as necessary to
interpret ordinance, policies and procedures, federal and state procurement statutes, assessing
client needs and providing dispute resolution when necessary;
Plans, develops and implements strategies for generating resources and/or revenues for the
organization;
Negotiated complex construction, technology and real estate contracts.
April 2011 – January 2012
Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County Purchasing Department
Deputy Director of Purchasing
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Managed the daily operations of the Purchasing Department to ensure that the material and
service requirements of the County are processed in a timely, efficient, effective and ethical
manner. Responsible for all major goods, services and construction procurements over $1
Million;
Developed County-wide purchasing policies and procedures that emphasized efficient and
effective best practices within the parameters of County’s Procurement Ordinance;
Responsible for all personnel decisions including hiring, firing and training of staff, assigning
workloads to ensure expedient (efficient) provision of services.
Wayne County Corporation Counsel
Assistant Corporation Counsel/Lead Attorney
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October 2003- March 2011
Detroit, Michigan
Legal advisor for all federally funded economic and community development grant funded
programs, which includes review of applications, contracts, policies and procedures, and
development agreements;
Chief regulatory compliance officer responsible for training, development of policies and
procedures, and audit reviews for various federal programs with significant expertise on Housing
and Urban Development, Department of Transportation and Department of Energy programs.
Developed economic and community development strategies utilizing federal and state funds or
tax incentives;
Legal advisor to the Retirement Board, Clerk’s Office, Purchasing, Management and Budget, and
Personnel Departments;
Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts in broad range of areas, including complex real estate
and corporate transactions, information technology, and construction;
Coordinated the management of various federal economic grants and programs;
Drafted ordinances, resolutions, executive orders, and policies for various County departments.
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UAW Legal Service Plan
Staff Attorney
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February 2002- October 2003
Detroit, Michigan
Drafted complaints and motions;
Prepared discovery requests;
Conducted depositions, trials, and hearings in all areas of civil litigation, including probate,
contract, real estate, municipal, and creditor/debtor related matters;
Served as chief probate litigator for Detroit office;
Successfully maintained a caseload of approximately 150-180 cases.
Shakoor, Grubba & Miller, P.C.
Associate
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November 2000- February 2002
Detroit, Michigan
Drafted complaints and motions;
Prepared discovery requests;
Conducted depositions, trials and hearings in all areas of civil litigation, including probate,
contract disputes, landlord/tenant, and corporate matters;
Appointed to serve as Guardian Ad Litem for Wayne County residents.
EDUCATION
University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law
Juris Doctorate: May 2000
Detroit, Michigan
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: May 1997
East Lansing, Michigan
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS
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Member, Board of Governors for Michigan Basic Property Insurance Association;
Member, Board of Directors for Legal Aid and Defenders Association, Inc. (LAD);
Executive Board Member, Detroit Branch-National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP);
Executive Board Member, Friends of Wayne County Parks.
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
1. Tom Watkins, President/CEO, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (twatkins@dwmha.com);
2. William Ward, Chief of Staff, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (wward1@dwmha.com);
3. Stacie Durant, Chief Financial Officer, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority
(sdurant@dwmha.com);
4. Kevin Kavanagh, Chief Deputy Corporation Counsel, Wayne County (kkavanag@waynecounty.com);
5. Lyn Roberts, Former Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Wayne County (lroberts@cityofsouthfield.com);
6. Rev. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Chapter-National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (wendellanthony@fellowshipchapel.org).
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