Robert A. Ratliff 1040 Mary Ann Lane Rockledge City Manager Search May 31, 2016 RE: City Manager Dear Search Committee, I am submitting my materials for consideration as Rockledge City Manager. I currently serve as the Law Director of the City of Bucyrus, Ohio I have worked extensively throughout my career with local governments, school districts and sporting events. Currently, as Law Director, I routinely work in the areas of public records, open meetings and general government relations. My office serves as the City s human resources, litigation and public officials ethics department. I am solely responsible for training, monitoring and enforcing these policies within the City. My management philosophy focuses on building a collegial, welcoming environment where goals and duties are clearly recognized. I build consensus within an organization by establishing clear leadership and direction while also giving each individual the tools, training and confidence to achieve personal and organizational goals. I take my pride in my ability to think quickly, develop creative solutions to problems and build and lead the necessary team for achieving the desired results. As both a lawyer and a former coach, I am confident in my abilities to lead, but also in my abilities to learn. I have worked with teammates, clients, co-workers, bosses and employees from every background and all over the world. With this background I am certain that I will be a valuable asset to Rockledge. Sincerely, Robert A. Ratliff
Robert Allen Ratliff 1040 Mary Ann Lane (251) 438-2250 - office (251) 753-9656 - cell rar@ratlifflegalgroup.com QUALIFICATION SUMMARY * Practicing attorney for over 18 years, representing clients throughout the United States * Former NCAA Division I Coach, Administrator and Recruiter * Excellent presentation, public speaking and customer service skills * Proven ability to lead, manage and coordinate all levels of staff and the public * Effective manager of projects, time and budgets PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Law Director, February, 2013-Present City of Bucyrus, Ohio Bucyrus is the County Seat of Crawford County Ohio. Located half way between Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. Bucyrus is a small urban center in an otherwise rural area. The city has a population of just over 12,500, with 109 employees spread among three separate unions and an annual budget in excess of $20,00,000. Duties and Responsibilities: * Per Ohio Revised Code, the Law Director is the chief legal officer of the City, the local school board and public library system. * Provide legal and ethics advice to all city officers and elected officials. * Responsible for municipal and elected official compliance with all State and County regulations. * Responsible for legal review of City budget, appropriations, expenditures and tax collections. * Serve as City Prosecutor. * Oversee all City purchases, contracts, franchise and utility agreements. * Review and oversee all civil service, city employment and human resource matters. * Review and oversee all City legal matters, including Worker s Compensation, OSHA, EPA and other utility regulations and municipal income tax collections. * Review and supervise all outside counsel. Achievements: * Increased Municipal Income Tax prosecutions by 400%. * Reduced outside counsel costs by 95%.
Robert A. Ratliff, Page 2 * Negotiated all union contracts. * Re-Negotiated Sewer Separation with US EPA, withdrawing 10 year $50 million demand with fines to the City and resulting in an Administrative Order on Consent, with no fines or penalties to the City and a three tiered, multi-year plan workable under the City budget. No new taxes were required. * For the first time in City history used nuisance laws to seize drug houses and through State and Federal grants obtained the demolition of more than 40 abandoned properties, and counting. * Drafted and implemented property maintenance code containing civil and criminal penalties. * Through criminal provisions of property maintenance code have required the demolition of buildings and prosecuted individuals for failure to maintain their properties according to local code. * Created Property Maintenance and Inspection Office. * Revised outdated sections of City Ordinances, including new sign ordinance and criminal code. * Worked with State legislators to obtain State funds to tear down abandoned theater and replace it with an Art Park. * Created employee manual, employee drug and alcohol policy and employee electronic and social media policy and wrote rental housing and abandoned building legislation. Robert A. Ratliff, P.C., 1997-Present The Ratliff Legal Group Offices in Mobile (Al) and Crestline (Oh) (prior offices in Biloxi, Cincinnati, Bonita Springs) The Ratliff Legal Group is a small law firm providing services in federal immigration, criminal law and consulting services to municipalities in the area of sports management. Duties and Responsibilities: * Operate and manage a small law firm with an average of 5 employees. * Represent clients throughout the United States in federal matters. * Provide representation and start-up advice to non-profit and municipal entities. * Operate Gulf Coast Sports Management, a sports management consulting group. Achievements: * Worked on the start-up of what is currently the Go Daddy.com Bowl. * Was legal counsel for the start-up and initial operation of the Mobile Bay Sports Authority. * Worked with Sports Authority staff to recruit events to the City of Mobile. * Provided consulting and management services to sports events including National Senior Games, USA Olympic Boxing Trials, USA Weightlifting Championships, and Nike Coach of the Year Clinic. * Helped build the Ken Stabler XOXO Foundation, a non-profit charity. Currently serve as foundation President.
Robert A. Ratliff, Page 3 RPI Solutions, Inc., 2011- January, 2016 General Counsel Mobile, Alabama RPI Solutions is a small security company comprised mostly of retired federal agents and former college athletic administrators and coaches. RPI Solutions provides a full range of security solutions for colleges and high schools. Duties and Responsibilities: * Served as Chief Legal Officer for the corporation. * Drafted and reviewed all contracts and proposals as well as all final recommendations on security and crisis management assessments. * Provided compliance oversight for all federal and state reporting requirements. * Company recently closed due to retirement of several key officers. Achievements: * As founding partner of the company, I was able to bring together a diverse group of experienced professionals to achieve the goals of this company. * Provided security assessment and crisis management protocols for numerous high school campuses. * Developed comprehensive Crisis Management Programs, including Chain of Command and Security Assessments. TEACHING AND COACHING AFFILIATIONS University of Cincinnati, 1995-1997 Compliance Intern and Volleyball Volunteer Assistant Served as a volunteer assistant in the UC Women s Volleyball program. Created Internship program between the UC Athletic Department and the UC College of Law. Created and Served as the first Law School intern with the UC Athletic Department. University of South Alabama 1991-1994 Various Coaching and Administrative Positions Mobile, Alabama Assistant Coach for Men s and Women s Track and Field. Managed annual basketball season ticket sales drive Hired as Assistant Coach for Women s Volleyball to assist with compliance and recruiting. Assisted with Compliance and Event Management office. Appointed interim Head Volleyball Coach.
Robert A. Ratliff, Page 4 University of Pittsburgh, 1986-1990 Student Assistant, Football Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Worked in the Football recruiting office. Helped coordinate mailings and contacts. Assisted with on campus visits. University of Kansas, 1984-86 Student Assistant, Football Lawrence, Kansas Managed Football Training Table Assisted in on campus recruiting EDUCATION University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Bachelor of Arts, Public Administration University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cincinnati, Ohio Juris Doctorate
References for: Robert A. Ratliff 1. Mayor Jeff Reser City of Bucyrus 500 S. Sandusky Ave. (419) 562-6767 Mayor Reser is the current Mayor of the City of Bucyrus. I work closely with Mayor Reser on a daily basis. 2. Joe Gottfried Athletic Director (retired) University of South Alabama 7530 Brookline Court Mobile, AL 36695 (251) 604-4681 I have known Mr. Gottfried for many years. He originally hired me to work at the University of South Alabama and is now a partner in RPI Solutions. 3. Rocky Alt Team Focus Ohio 6679 Henscher Cir Westerville, OH 43082 (614) 738-8108 Coach Alt is a former collegiate football coach and currently the Director of the Ohio branch of Team Focus. Team Focus is a year round mentoring program for young men without fathers. I have been active with Team Focus since its inception in 2001. 4. Scott Bratton Margaret Wong and Associates 3150 Chester Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 566-9908 Scott is a former Law partner and colleague. I have known Scott since 1995. We have worked on numerous cases together. 5. Jeff Wagner 500 S. Sandusky Ave. (419) 562-6767 Jeff Wagner currently serves as the City of Bucyrus Service-Safety Director. I work with Mr. Wagner closely and on a daily basis providing legal counsel on City projects and issues.
6. Garnet (Sis) Love Council President 500 S. Sandusky Ave. (419) 562-6767 I have worked with Ms. Love for over three years. She currently serves as City Council President and was previously the interim Mayor. I work with Ms. Love each week to insure proper preparation of all City Council legislative materials.