Aurora Marie Thompson

*** ********* ***** ● Vicksburg, MS 39180 ● 601-***-**** ● acv38b@r.postjobfree.com

Success Driven Manager

Dynamic operations executive with over 15 years’ experience in management and public administration. Highly accomplished in developing dependable processes, directing complex operations, coordinating department policies and maximizing resources to streamline operations.

CORE QUALITIES

Project Management ● Strategic Planning ● Vendor Oversight ● Grant Proposal/Award Funding ● Leadership ●

Contract Administration ● Financial Analysis ● Community Relations ● City Policy/Procedures Authority

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Mayor’s Office, Vicksburg, Mississippi July 2009 – July 2013

City Policy Director

Managed for the executive administration, daily operation, and services of Vicksburg Mississippi Mayor’s office. Responsible for advising on budgeting, strategic planning, policy development, media relations, community development, and daily operations of the City. Directed the Mayor’s government and public policy agenda.

Reestablished intergovernmental communications to streamline effectiveness and reduce cost.

Secured $25K grant from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to create curb side recycling program eliminating more than 60% of waste stream pollution.

Appointed as 2010 United States Censes county coordinator for Warren County, MS.

Facilitated the $802M Congressional Supplemental Appropriation Grant for the reinforcement and repairs of the levee system of the Mississippi River and Tributaries within the Vicksburg District.

Cultural and Human Services Manager July 2009 – July 2013

Liaison for city, county, and state non-profit community based organizations. Responsible for the supervision of the agency's community development programs and special projects.

Acquired financial resources in grants and community donations to fund cultural projects and programs.

Led the development of diverse neighborhood projects and programs to benefit the quality of life for the community without increase to annual budget.

•Mayor’s Youth Council • United Way C.A.N. Program

•9/11 National Day of Service • Code Red-Emergency Notification System

Consulted with the Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSRC) for the $8.2M Washington Street Bridge replacement project. Reopened a major transportation route while eliminating traffic safety concerns.

Constituent Services Director July 2009 – July 2013

2

Served as advocate for community by providing assistance to citizens with questions, complaints or request related to city government services. Met with community leaders and attended public meetings to discuss issues and concerns; and speaks for the department in resolving problems to restore community confidence.

Coordinated evacuation notifications, formulated resources, and increased preparedness communication during post disaster needs as emergency management consultant midst the 2011 Mississippi River flood.

Partnered with the Warren County Emergency Food and Shelter Board to manage the $180K grant to supplement and increase ongoing feeding, sheltering, rent/mortgage, and utility assistance in the county.

Planned and implemented the Cities of Service coalition with local districts to expand community assistance and target residential needs by pledging that individuals dedicate 12 hours of volunteer service per year.

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Aurora M. Thompson

123 Katherine Drive ● Vicksburg, MS 39180 ● 601-***-**** ● acv38b@r.postjobfree.com

Winfield for Mayor Campaign, Vicksburg, MS. January 2009 – July 2009

Campaign Strategist and Organizer

Directed day to day advisement and administrative support of policy platform and theme for 2009 Mayoral Campaign. Oversaw planning, media development, budget overview, fundraising, poll analysis, and community coordination. Formalized office staff members.

Organized 13 experts working remotely and around the clock to complete this unprecedented assignment.

Prepared voter pamphlet statements for public relations, key sponsorship, and distribution.

Recruited and organized volunteers for voter canvassing and phone bank monitoring.

Drafted strategic plan for door to door campaign presence to build relationships between the candidate and the community.

MPOWER, Morton, MS. March 2003 – November 2008

A membership-based workers’ center that works to build healthy communities by promoting economic and social justice in the state’s poultry producing region and workplaces. A collaboration of poultry workers of diverse backgrounds, civil and immigrants’ rights organizations, religious leaders, and other partners.

Executive Director

Executive administrator of daily operation and services for members of the worker center. Responsibilities included budgeting, fundraising, strategic planning, policy development, media relations, staff organization and educational courses as related to the regional poultry industry labor force.

Developed and implemented annual fundraising plan, quarterly board reports and future strategy goals.

Oversaw implementation of programmatic work in keeping with MPOWER's mission and strategic policy.

Monitored grants and researched new funding opportunities for prospective development.

Liaison between union representatives, poultry workers, community leaders, as well as private and foundational granters.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, San Diego, CA

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, 1981

HIGHLANDER RESEARCH and EDUCATIONAL, Way New Market, TN.

Culture and Interpretation Certification, 2003

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, Extension Services

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Certification, 2010

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL, Jackson, MS

Interpretation Certification, 2011

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Child and Parent Center Board of Directors AmeriCorps NCCC working group Board

Warren County Emergency Food and Shelter Board Warren Yazoo Mental Health Advisory Board

Salvation Army Women’s Axillary Counsel Mission Mississippi

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