L. Joshua Gray

Chicago, IL Tel: 832-***-**** adzbu5@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-gray-a5194b6b

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DIPLOMACY PROJECT MANAGEMENT Dedicated and strategic leader with 15+ years of experience in directing multiple teams. Diverse Background consisting of and not limited to being a managing partner and a community liaison. Skilled in project management, building tactical relationships, overseeing government relations using ideas and platform development. Uses a collaborative leadership style and keen ability to effectively translate complex concepts into tangible action plans. Has supported multiple elected officials within politics and stakeholders within various fields. Seeking to utilize experience in a director, management, or business partnership role.

• Strong ability to collaborate with, inspire and motivate others toward goal accomplishment within various diverse groups

• Exceptional attention to detail and proven ability to identify process improvement opportunities and adhere to project schedules.

• Robust ability to coordinate large-scale events

• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and oral and written communications skills.

• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.

• Management experience includes hiring, firing, promoting, and training teams of over 50+ employees.

• Ability to communicate with advisory boards, government leaders, civic groups, ground crews, stakeholders, and children. AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Profit & Loss Management, Financial management, Relationship Management, Strategic planning, Implementing policies, Commercial operations, Budget management, Cost control, Community Relations, Change Management, Financial acumen, Compliance Management, Project management, Operational management, Social Media Management, Risk Analysis, Logistics, Event Management, Microsoft products to include but not limited to MS Teams, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, MS SharePoint, Processes, Business Acumen, Numeracy, Tax Deductions, Proactivity, New Business Development, Digital Marketing, Advertising, Budgeting, Human Resources, Facilitator, Teacher, Outreach Specialist, Marketing, Business Development, Innovative, Public Relations, Cognitive Skills, Reporting, Networking, Team Building, Interpreting and Analyzing Data, Creative, Relatable, Organizer, Visionary, Trustworthy, Fundraising PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Managing Partner

GRAY CONSULTING GROUP, CHICAGO, IL MARCH 2019 –PRESENT Notable clients Include: Kivvit Public Relations Firm, Lawrence Hall, Ald. David Moore, Ald. Leslie Hairston, Sen. Jaqueline Collins, and Richard Boykin for Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

• Plan and execute 5+ events yearly for each client according to their requirements including corporate and social events, arranged all activities for during the event and follow up for post event

• Provide strategic support to major clients, elected officials, non for profits and top companies

• Manage political affairs and field organizing for potential and current elected officials.

• Spearheads both political and organizational marketing campaigns

• Develop direct and sincere branding messaging for both political and organizational clients.

• Prepare relevant research and media statements for clients surrounding matters of concern

• Partner with marketing and channel teams

• Initiate innovative solutions and fresh approaches to communicating with the community

• Responds effectively to inquiries and concerns and from the media, adhering to standard communication polices

• Create and adhere to campaign or project budget and allocations for each client Political Director

17TH WARD DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION, CHICAGO, IL AUGUST 2018 – APRIL 2022

• Effectively prepared various reports as requested by client

• Responded effectively to inquiries, concerns, and complaints from the public

• Coordinated marketing, special events and customer service needs with appropriate staff

• Maintained all aspects of fiscal budgeting reports and corresponded through various means to inform supervisors of the budget status

• Closely monitored expenditures to include intermittent staff salary logs, purchases such as office supplies, various equipment needs, specialized department needs, etc.

• Managed a team of 30+ Precinct Captains and Field workers, created daily itinerary and weekly goals

• Utilized, managed and executed a 3-month field strategy for Aldermanic race, State Senate race, County races and Judge Campaigns.

• Established fundraising tactics, set organizational monthly fundraising goals, and coordinated quarterly fundraisers through call time and personal meetings.

• Tracked multiple teams progress on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and supplied continual encouragement and acknowledgement of service and strong work ethic

• Served as the organization's liaison for other elected officials, churches, and community leaders. Campaign Manager

CITY OF CHICAGO OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, CHICAGO, IL JULY 2018 – FEBRUARY 2019 Coordinated all aspects of the campaign including but not limited to fundraising, advertising and polling. Penetrated new voting markets through use of strategic marketing initiatives. Followed up on all ballot issues ensuring they were addressed as well as endorsed candidate support.

• Governed a team of 12 senior staff directors and over 50 political staffers

• Constructed a comprehensive campaign strategy over 7 months that attracted millennial, progressive, and minority voters from various backgrounds

• Oversaw a campaign budget of over $600,000 ensuring funding was delegated properly

• Functioned as a campaign surrogate for media, including speaking on behalf of the candidate for radio, newspapers, internet media, and magazines.

• Identified the need for a voter outreach program for Chicago college students and minority neighborhoods Assistant to the Alderman

OFFICE OF 17TH WARD ALDERMAN DAVID MOORE, CHICAGO, IL SEPTEMBER 2018 – DECEMBER 2018 A highly skilled political assistant used project management, calendar management and critical thinking skills to organize political figures. Resulting in a highly organized member of government. Functioned as a surrogate for the council member in community, political, and stakeholder meetings.

• Managed the alderman’s calendar and acted as a liaison for scheduling inquiries with all appointments business and personal, booked all travel including hotel and car arrangements across multiple time zones

• Consulted other elected officials and community stakeholders about issues in the Ward that were affecting business owners and citizens

• Collaborated with aldermanic staff to determine solutions to issues plaguing the ward.

• Acted as a liaison between constituents and city Commissioners Director of Advocacy

KIPP CHICAGO REGION, CHICAGO, IL AUGUST 2016 – JULY 2018

• Oversaw lobbying efforts of multiple elected Illinois officials.

• Developed strategic relationships with community stakeholders and key organizations.

• Lead efforts to advocate for expansion of KIPP schools in the Chicago communities.

• Developed and managed key relationships with organizations that would help enrich KIPP Chicago School’s after school programming.

• Improved all six schools’ organizational relationships ensuring they aligned with the region's mission.

• Developed goals and detailed plans to substantially increase the number of families and alumni participating in advocacy actions and civic engagement.

Consultant

EMERSON COLLECTIVE, CHICAGO, IL JUNE 2015 – AUGUST 2016

• Oversaw and managed the $300,000 fund for the 2016 Summer Mini Peace Grant and its awardees through One Summer Chicago SYEP program.

• Managed $1,000,000 fund given to Chicago Park District for park enhancements.

• Assisted with the developing of the fall pilot program for 16 to 24 year olds with criminal backgrounds for the South and West sides of Chicago.

• Supervised and managed Emerson's annual youth advisory board summer initiative PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Advisory Board (JTDC) EDUCATION

Sam Houston State University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Huntsville, Tx

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated

Member of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Received 4,991 votes as democratic candidate for Cook County Commissioner of the 3rd District in 2017/2018 Precinct captain for the 17th Ward Organization

Board Member for the Jackson Park Highlands Association Former community organizer in the 5th, 6th and 17th wards Founder of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) South East Free Legal Clinic Assistant Chairperson for New Life SouthEast Employment Center Steering Committee Young Adult Minister to Fr. Pfleger of St. Sabina church Coordinator for St. Sabina’s Youth Forum on Violence, Youth March Against Violence and Youth Extravaganza and Resource Fair Volunteer for New Life SouthEast Missions Team in LaBombita, Dominican Republic Volunteer for Common Ground Disaster Recovery in New Orleans, LA Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity Disaster recovery in New Orleans, LA

Contact this candidate