HomeMy WebLinkAboutStatement of Interest and Qualifications_Linda GabelSeptember 29, 2020
At this critical time for the City, it is important for the Commission to select a candidate for the vacant
City Commission seat who is experienced in government, has experience with growth planning and can
hit the ground running. I believe I am that candidate.
My name is Linda Gabel and I have lived in Bozeman for three years. Prior to that I lived in Fort Collins,
CO and Livingston, MT., as well as several other cities where my career in higher education took me. My
most recent move back to Montana and to Bozeman brought me closer to my daughter (who is a small
business owner here) and granddaughters as well as to a community I value for its outstanding quality of
life and access to many cultural and natural amenities. The following knowledge and experience qualify
me to be the next Bozeman City Commissioner.
• I have training and involvement with community and strategic planning.
o I have lived and volunteered in two communities at the time when they were in growth
periods like Bozeman’s and while these communities were developing strategic plans.
Both are noted as successful communities in managing growth and keeping the spirit of
the communities vibrant.
o Prior to moving to Bozeman, I lived in Fort Collins, CO. While I was in this community,
rapid growth was evident everywhere. I watched approval of several urban renewal
projects, including the mid-town mall development, come to completion. I served on
Budgeting For Outcomes committee where I was involved as a citizen in the budgeting
process. I also served on and became chair of the district library board right after the
library was successful in a campaign to move from being a city library to a library district
(SID) with a county mil levy. I also served on and chaired the mental health board after it
disassociated from the county.
o In the 1980’s Chattanooga, TN was a place where one did not often go downtown.
Private investors funded an organization called the River City Co. In a small office, this
group developed a detailed plan for the future of the City. The city commission
approved their plan with the codicil that the citizens must agree with the proposed
direction. I worked as a facilitator, encouraging public input, as the plan was rolled out
to the community. It was a fascinating process to be involved in. The Tennessee
Aquarium anchored the downtown re-development. Today it is considered one of the
top mid-sized cities in the country.
o I have been through the strategic master planning process in my career in higher
education, developed master plans as a member of mental health, symphony and
library boards and worked with groups on assessing outcomes for both the library and
Fort Collins as a member of a budget planning committee. These master plans have
been for both facilities and operations.
• I have worked as a financial manager with fund accounting. I understand the budgeting process
and can read and interpret financial reports.
o I was the County Finance Director for Park County MT. While employed with the county
I was able to substantially reduce audit findings, improve accounts payable and HR
processes and payroll, learned how to compute mil levies and assess property taxes, and
made financial presentations for the Commission and the Public. This position also
made me familiar with MCA.
o For over 25 years I was a financial manager in higher education, involved with
developing budgets, overseeing financial operations, completing financial projections,
and giving presentations related to budget proposals and projections. The universities
where I worked were government-related institutions and required knowledge of fund
accounting. I ran the ‘businesses’ of the universities and served as CFO and VP for
Business at two colleges.
o Because I have served on several boards, I understand the relationship between boards
and executive directors of organizations. I served for two terms on the Fort Collins
Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) committee as a citizen member and learned about the
strategic plan and funding opportunities to meet strategic objectives.
o As an entrepreneur, I developed annual plans for my successful business and follow up
throughout the year to ensure that outcomes were as planned.
• I have many years of experience in leadership and management.
o In my career I learned much about managing people and other resources. My
responsibilities including management of large staffs, developing salary plans and hiring
and firing staff. Human resources and IT staff frequently reported to me.
o I have been through community leadership programs: Leadership Chattanooga and
initiated the Leadership Cache Valley program in Logan, Utah. I learned that leadership
requires training and experience as well as personal leadership ability.
o I served on a national board representing my position in universities as treasurer of the
board. During that time, I was involved in changes within the organization, including the
hiring of a new executive director.
o I attended both City Works 101 and County 101 while in Fort Collins. These programs
gave presentations from staff working in each city and county department
(transportation, police, waste management, health department, etc.), explained what
the mission of each department was and how each worked within the community’s
strategic plan. This was a wonderful learning experience which gave me an
understanding of each department’s goals, opportunities, and challenges.
I believe in contributing to the community in which I live. Rather than complaining about what happens,
I prefer understanding, listening, and participating in activities which plan and shape the future. My
background and skills allow me to be successful as a city commissioner. I would not come into this
position with personal agendas or predetermined positions as I do respect how different each
community is. I believe in honoring and respecting the history and personality of my community.
Understanding the objectives, weighing input from citizens, doing my homework, and understanding
resources and resources allocation will make the next city commissioner successful. I would like to be
that individual.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Gabel