NICHOLAS C.

PECONE
www.linkedin.com/in/nicholaspecone/ Savannah, GA 31405
N

ncpecone@hotmail.com 912-233-5206 (H) 912-344-5917 (C)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Multi-Site Program & Operations Management / Best Practices / Productivity Improvement / Economic Development / Workforce Development / Dispute Resolution / Client & Community Relations / Contract Management / Process Improvement / Cost Control & Budget Planning / HR / Staff Development / Labor Relations / Legislative Liaison / Government Compliance / Turnarounds
Implemented best practices in program design and management, policy/procedure, compliance and community relations to improve practices and create strategies for effective service delivery. Developed critical personnel, project and resource management guidelines and increased staff productivity competency. Turned around a failing regional office into an industry model through values-based leadership and innovative program development, winning individual and organizational honors.

Expanded outreach to new client bases increasing Mission outcomes and Family Strengthening efforts Secured multiple Federal and private foundation grants in excess of $1 million. Developed community partnerships with public and private agencies to enhance the organizations presence and recognition in the community Dramatically increased productivity in number of people served and competitive employment closures Established a transition council for incarcerated youth with disabilities, dramatically reducing recidivism rate Engaged public and private sectors in economic development within the region

Key Skills: Visionary, decisive, self-motivated, hands-on leader, winning cooperation at all levels Analytical problem solverFacilitator, trainer, curriculum developer Accomplished speakerRespected manager with exceptional people skills. M Ed, Bloomsburg State University; BS, The Pennsylvania State University Certifications: Rehabilitation Counseling; Teaching, Private Schools; Teaching, Secondary Education Continuing Education: National Executive Leadership Institute, University of Oklahoma; Executive Leadership Institute, University of Maryland; PA Dept. of Labor & Industry Leadership Institute, 360 Leadership Development Honors: Whos Who of Professionals, Citation Secretary of Labor & Industry Presentations/Speeches and Seminar Participation List available on request.

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Reversed the direction of a struggling Workforce Development department. Increased competitive employment closures from 30 to 1,066 and persons served from 262 to 18,919 annually and increased revenue by 33%. Collaborated with multiple partners to bring additional funding sources to the table. Secured grants to develop At-Risk Youth Mentoring program, Latino Outreach program, Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and revamped the ADVANCE brain injury program. Launched agencys 1st four Community Career Centers to continuing accolades of community leaders with plans for three additional centers. Dramatically turned a failing regional office into a leader within the public vocational rehabilitation program. Through leadership and team building took the regional office from last in productivity to the position of an annual leader in three key productivity factors. In the process leveraging $55+mm of public investment into $266+mm of economic impact resulting in an additional $900k in case service allocations to

the region. Developed an economic development investment strategy resulting in guaranteed jobs for people with disAbilities. Established a transition council for incarcerated youth with disabilities, dramatically reducing recidivism rate for youthful offenders at Lycoming Prison. Youth with disabilities are incarcerated at a higher rate than non-disabled youth and get caught up in the corrections system. Supplemented the Councils efforts by developing a training and job-seeking skills program along with faith-based mentoring to provide supports lacking in participant's personal lives. Created and implemented a successful project, guiding and motivating participants toward college and/or good paying jobs. Created a model transition program, facilitating greater independence and increasing competencies of disabled students. Disabled high school students can benefit from a focused, transition program. Established a transition program, assigning special counselors to liaison with high schools, providing resources to disabled students, their families, and teachers/counselors. Worked with schools and community agencies to coordinate efforts through multi-disciplinary teams and special programs. Developed training program for individuals with MH while leveraging additional funds for employment supports. Recognizing a lack of effective vocational programming for people with mental illness, developed concept for specialized employment training program while securing a pilot grant under the Presidents New Freedom Initiative to refocus regional efforts on recovery and the establishment of a Club House located in a business complex to provide employment supports.

CAREER HISTORY
Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, Inc. Vice President, Workforce Development, 2008 2012. Led professional staff in reorganization of the department and the introduction of performance management and an outcomes driven culture. Increased revenue 33.5%, dramatically increased persons served and competitive placements, added multiple new funding sources. Guided agency through CARF accreditation twice and developed strategic plan for departments growth. Secured $1mm+ in Federal and private foundation grants. Launched Georgias 2nd Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program: Operation Open Doors. Secured $17,000 in grant funds for the annual Savannah Stand Down to end homelessness. Established a Hispanic/Latino Outreach program in Toombs County to serve Migrant Farm Workers and nonEnglish speaking immigrants. Goizueta Foundation has tripled their investment in Goodwill and the Buena Vida initiative to enable expansion of the program over the next three years. Revamped the Vocational Evaluation division into a high demand/high value service. Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Promoted to positions of increasing responsibility for state agency and division of the Department of Labor and Industry. District Administrator, 1995 2007. Led professional staff in the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services. Managed financial and HR resources. Interpreted State/Federal laws and regulations, agency policies and insured compliance/achievement of Standards & Indicators of the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration. Manage $4.9mm budget and staff of 33. Formed Small Business Advisory Team to review business plans and advise people with disAbilities on small business development. Active member of Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board serving on the Executive Committee and as Vice Chair of the Youth Council. Active member on multiple Chamber of Commerce School-To-Work Committees and served on the Lycoming Chambers Education Committee. Assistant District Administrator, 1988 - 1995. Interpreted State/Federal laws and regulations, agency policies, and directed Fiscal operations. Participated in district's HR activities and staff development. Created innovative programming, quality control. ADA Coordinator for District and consultant to the general public, government entities and business. Manage staff of 11/$2.2M budget. Served as compliance officer and training coordinator for the District.

Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor, 1986 - 1988. Supervised unit of eight professional counselors, providing coaching and team building. Responsible for unit productivity, maintaining work flow. Served as Districts training officer. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Developed referral sources and maintained relationships with community-based agencies. Assisted individuals with disabilities to develop viable career plans and coordinated the delivery of rehabilitation services necessary to achieving success. Co-chaired and coauthored Interagency Agreement between regional VR office, 13 school districts and IU20.

Devereux Foundation Teacher, 1973 1974. Developed and delivered a curriculum focused on the needs of socially and emotionally maladjusted adolescents. Macy*s Part Time Store Supervisor, 1976 1987. Managed all aspects of night and week-end store operations. Supervised part time store executives, directed both full and part time personnel, addressed customer concerns, interfaced with both store Senior executives and company Vice Presidents reporting customer flow and needs along with store productivity. .
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

American Red Cross Disaster Services Volunteer. 2005 Hurricanes Wilma & Katrina. Chatham Disaster Action Team member. Served as Case Worker and Case Worker Supervisor during Florida deployment. Savannah Chatham Council on Disability Issues Member Chatham-Savannah Homeless Authority Board Member