Date: October 7, 2019
From: Akin Okupe, General Manager East Palo Alto Sanitary District (EPASD), East Palo Alto
California
To: Josh Jones and Andrew Nelson, Executive Recruiters, CPS HR Consulting Sacramento
Subject: City Manager’s Position, City of Richmond
Please find below summary of how my experience meets the requirements of the job as
advertised:
Job Requirements
1 Seasoned public sector professional with
a proven track record of quickly and
effectively assessing and engaging
challenging opportunities for strategic
issues.
2 This fiscally savvy individual will have a
strong and credible background in
municipal finance, be dedicated to the
improvement of local economies, and
committed to community participation
and open transparency government.
3 A bridge builder who embraces
collaborative partnership as method of
improving services and creating
efficiency.
4 The new City Manager will possess
emotional intelligence necessary to
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Qualifications
I have worked for the City of Woodland, City of
Sacramento, El Dorado Irrigation District, East
Palo Alto Sanitary District as well as California
Department of Transportation for the past
seventeen years. In my current position as
General Manager of East Palo Alto Sanitary
District, I performed organizational analysis
within one month of hiring date and came up
with a strategy to minimize cost and improve
efficiency. Some of the changes I recommended
included restructuring as well as improve
valuation methodology for Other Post-
Employment Benefits (OPEB)
Having taking Graduate MBA Classes in
Corporate Finance, Investments, Options and
Derivatives, Strategic Cost Analysis, Design and
Managing Operations, I think I have sound
knowledge of municipal finance. In my current
position as General Manager, I participated in
community events like the student employment
training program initiative.
In my current position as General Manager, I
worked collaboratively with our strategic partner
such as the City of East Palo Alto on shared
projects to minimize cost. I also worked
collaboratively with the City of Palo Alto on ways
of improving the management of the regional
treatment using financial options and
derivatives.
In my current position as General Manager of
EPASD, I manage a diverse work force. When I
 Job Requirements
effectively lead and manage a diverse,
high performing staff and political
aptitude to anticipate issues of concern.
5 Exceptional Communications skills and a
leadership presence supported by
tangible accomplishment
6 A team player who employs a fair and
inclusive management style, creates and
empowers leaders and foster staff
development, fair respectful and
consistent when holding staff
accountable.
7 Strong Supporter of equity and inclusion
with past experience in diverse
communities has the ability and
intelligence to work with a diverse
council and staff.
8 Entrepreneurial creative innovative and
visionary in order to move Richmond
forward.
9 Committed to sustainability
10 A political advocate who promotes the
City in the region, state and positions the Senior Civil Engineer between 2007 and 2013. I
City for beneficial partnerships funding
opportunities and creative partnerships
Qualifications
was the General Manager of Titanel Inc. in South
Africa, I also managed a diverse work force. Iam
a democratic leader that allow input from
employees while considering their feelings in
responding to their concerns.
In my current position as General Manager, I
communicate with the Board of Directors
regularly through one on one scheduled
meetings. I also scheduled regular meetings with
the committees as necessary. When I was the
Senior Civil Engineer in Woodland, I was
instrumental in securing well over 100 million
dollars in grants and low interest loan for the
Surface Water Project. This reduced financial
burden of the project on rate payers.
I like to abide by policy when dealing with staff to
ensure equitable treatment. I also enjoy having
staff input in all facets of decision making.
I have worked with a diverse staff and Board
while working for Titanel Inc. as General
Manager. In my current position as General
Manager of East Palo Alto Sanitary District, I
work every day with a diverse staff, community
and Elected Officials.
While working for El Dorado Irrigation District in
2002, I was instrumental in securing a state grant
in the amount of $3 million that was used to
construct the El Dorado Hills Solar Project which
saved approximately $300,000 in operational
cost.
In my current position as General Manager, I
have implemented knowledge management
strategies aimed at retaining institutional
knowledge to maintain sustainability in the level
of service we provide to our customers.
While working for the City of Woodland as a
gave several presentations to the Woodland
Chamber of Commerce regarding financing
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 Job Requirements
but does not like doing things the way it
has been done.
11 Highly communicative and committed
public servant sensitive to the need of
the community and willing to go above
and beyond in providing an open,
transparent organization
12 Patient, unflappable leadership,
demeanor but willing to tackle tough
conversation and stand behind
unpopular decision when necessary,
admires being respected rather than
liked and admired by staff.
Qualifications
options of the Surface Water Project. State
representatives were invited to attend the
presentation. Pursuant to the provisions of the
Porter Cologne Act, I partnered with the City of
Davis to secure $16 million grant for the project
intake structure. In addition, I gave monthly
press release on project update to educate the
community on my vision. I like to take decision
based on technical and political analysis.
In my current position as General Manager of
EPASD, I have developed a program to collect the
email addresses of all resident for ease of
communication.
In making decisions, I always consider the cost
benefit ratio of my decision. I like to focus on the
big picture, this often enable me to be calm as a
sacrifice to realize my vision.