Green Cities: Does Your Public Policy Support Sustainability?

Moderator

• Lucia Athens, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Austin, TX

Panel Discussion

• Rodney W. Chapin, Senior Vice President, CDM
• Arnold Sapenter, Director of Sustainability, Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency
• Maggie Ullman, Energy Coordinator, City of Ashville, NC
• Andrew Watterson, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Cleveland, OH
• Alicia Zatcoff, Sustainability Manager, City of Richmond, VA

Sustainability is no longer an “aspiration” in communities—it is a mandate. Public policy is forcing cities to reduce their carbon foot print and build green. Public administrators must not only understand the law, they will be required to find solutions. It is critical to creating and promote environmental practices and public policies that are truly sustainable and all community stakeholders embrace. Join sustainability experts as they unfold the gold-standard secrets of successfully embedding “sustainability” into your planning. It’s essential information that managers and staff need to know.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet directly with government and corporate employers looking for professional talent. Also, explore new sources for information, products and services offered by our corporate, government and institutional exhibitors and retail vendors. Back by popular demand are:

• The Internet Café – check your e-mail, search the Internet, see what’s new.
• Drawings during each break.

The City of Austin and Travis County again are providing a unique experience for high school students. The organizations will be hosting more than 50 students from the Austin ISD to expose them to careers in the public sector, as well as allow them to meet Sustainability Directors and other operational heads from across the country. The day for the students will include discussions about public administration career planning and options, as well as issues of relevance to the youth of today. The day will end with a luncheon Sustainability Experts from the region and nation talking with them about Sustainability and the role that they can play in making our world a better place to live. Private Lunch for Students (Omni Austin Southpark – Conference Center)

Sponsors:

• Austin Independent School District
• City of Austin
• Travis County

The Changing Face of Public Education: Where do we go from here?

Moderator

• Dr. Larry Earvin, President and CEO, Huston-Tillotson University

Panel Discussion

• Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman, Superintendent, The School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
• Robert Bobb, Emergency Financial Manager, Detroit Public Schools, Detroit, MI
• Dr. Meria J. Cartsarphen, Superintendent, Austin ISD, Austin, TX
• Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore, MD
• Dr. Willis Mackey, Superintendent, Judson ISD, San Antonio, TX

What’s at the heart of the problem in our nation’s public schools? What reforms are working and how can those solutions be a part of a national model? This panel will share information as it relates to new models that will be helpful to educators in this fiscally-stressful environment, always with a focus on what is best for students and for their education. The pivotal question for schools is,” how do they continue to provide quality education as state aid is reduced and tax rates remain acceptable to the community?” The presenters will also explore the reason minority children are doing so poorly in classrooms across America and provide some helpful suggestions to make a positive change. An exclusive conversation with key voices on this important issue will occur.

Perspectives on Justice: Responsibility, Recovery, and Reentry

Moderator

• Latreece Cooke, Executive Director, MEELJ, Inc., Bastrop, TX

Panel Discussion

• Art Acevedo, Police Chief, City of Austin, Austin, TX
• Greg Hamilton, Sheriff, Travis County, Austin, TX
• Jeri Houchins, Administrative Director, Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable, Austin, TX
• Estela P. Medina, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Travis County, Austin, TX
• Craig Watkins, District Attorney, Dallas County, Dallas, TX

Join a distinguished panel of professionals as they discuss a myriad of topics pertaining to the criminal justice system. This session will focus on the various perspectives of individuals who “encounter or serve” the same clientele. The panel will discuss the individual on the front end of the problem; the arrest; prosecutorial prospective and discretion in the charging function and/or plea negotiations; wrongful convictions after the arrest; and recovery/reentry services for the former inmate upon release back into his/her communities.

Workshop Deliverables

• Wrongful Convictions: Causes and Solutions
• Critical issues ex-offenders face when dealing with the criminal justice system
• Better understanding of prisoner reentry and its profound implications for public safety

Moderator

• Shannon Jones, Deputy Director, Health and Human Services, City of Austin, Austin, TX
  Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion

• Julian Castro, Mayor, City of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
• Steve Conti, Director of Disease Management, Seton Healthcare Family, Austin, TX
• Beverly Kearney, Women’s Track Coach, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
• Lee Leffingwell, Mayor, City of Austin, Austin, TX
• Toni Tipton Martin, Austin Food Writer and Author, Austin, TX
• Mark Netoskie, MD, Market Medical Executive, CIGNA, Houston, TX

You are invited to join a number of national and local presenters as they discuss the importance of healthy living and lifestyles. Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled. Today, approximately one in three children in our nation is obese or overweight. One-third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. A number of cities and community organizations have embraced The Let’s Move! Campaign. The campaign was created by First Lady Michelle Obama to improve the health of our communities and help solve childhood obesity. Other areas of the campaign include: reducing the risk of obesity in early childhood, making healthy food affordable and accessible, providing healthy food in schools, and increasing physical activity.

Austin and other cities are taking the challenge head-on and have already become official Let’s Move cities. This panel will discuss what Austin and other organizations are doing to improve health, as well as discuss strategies with conferees to continue to live a healthy life.

Looking for a little action? Glitz and Glamour? Gambling? Fun? Food and Drinks? More gambling? Then plan to attend the NFBPA Casino Night at the Omni Southpark Hotel on Thursday Night from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

With a variety of casino games, an abundance of “chips” and prizes for the winners, odds are you’re sure to have a great evening. Try your hand at Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em, Roulette and Craps. Light refreshments will be available from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. If you don’t want to try your hand at the tables, DJ J Hunt from KAZI will be playing old and new school sounds on the turntable.

There is no additional cost to attend the reception and Casino Night. Attendance is included with the full conference registration. Look out Las Vegas! Move over Monte Carlo! Step aside Shreveport! NFBPA Casino Night, here we come. Casual Dress is welcome and preferred!

Budget Once, Measure Twice, Then Evaluate the Impact In response to major revenue shortfalls, municipalities are closing budget gaps with an array of policy choices, such as reduction in force and service delivery that may create a lag in their organization’s fiscal recovery. This interactive workshop will explore the benefits of measuring the impact of budget cuts, creating performance strategies and establishing benchmark measurements essential to effective fiscal and service recovery. Presenter

• Teodoro Benevides, Executive in Residence, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX

Transition – Surviving the Unthinkable Restructuring, layoffs, and involuntary separations from employment have become common ills during the economic downturn. Are you prepared to transition seamlessly into a new position or different career? This workshop will offer you statistical data, case studies, and opportunities for constructive dialogue with executive and human resources professionals who have experienced the “unthinkable”, and dealt with transition successfully – personally and professionally.

Presenter

• Paulette Owens Holmes, Employee & Agency Services Officer, San Antonio Housing Authority, San Antonio, TX

Making Technology-Wise Decisions Is your organization lagging behind the technology curve? Are there key business processes that are inefficient, gobble up staff resources and limit opportunities for success? Join a group of experts in the field to address these issues and to advise management on how to best capitalize on these opportunities. This workshop will be of great value to anyone interested in gaining insights on how to leverage new and innovative technology successfully in your organization.

Panelists

• Stephen Elkins, Chief Information Officer, City of Austin, Austin, TX
• John Gordon, Director of Strategy and Market Management – IBM Smarter Cities

Transparency in Government When it comes to federal and state public information laws, how do public officials balance the public’s right to know with individual privacy rights? There is much debate today regarding “sunshine laws” and how local, state and federal governments are implementing and managing those laws in light of advanced technological advances such as email, text messaging, and other social media. Does a public official, elected or appointed, lose all of privacy rights due to public service? You are invited to hear a panel of experts in the field of open government discuss and debate these issues in an effort to update you on the latest litigation and legislative matters in this area. Helpful everyday tips will be provided!

Moderator

• Karen Kennard, City Attorney, City of Austin, TX

Panelists

• Keith Elkins, Executive Director, Freedom of Information Foundation of TX, Austin, TX
• Mick McKamie, President, McCamie Kruger LLP, San Antonio, TX
• Amanda Crawford, Chief, Public Information Division, Attorney General’s Office, Austin, TX

Tighten Up: Navigating the New Normal The “new normal” dictates that government can’t – and perhaps shouldn’t – do everything (or even everything that it used to do). Despite universal grim economic realities, The City of Richmond, VA, aspires to be a “Tier One” city by coming together as a community – citizens, city staff and elected officials – to set priorities and solve problems. Then, by embedding those priorities and solutions into the budget along with a healthy dose of citizen engagement, involvement and volunteerism, Richmond is developing an innovative model to become the “City of the Future.” Richmond Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall explains a simple yet challenging three-step process that Richmond is using to accomplish lofty goals. Presenter

• Byron C. Marshall, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Richmond, Richmond, VA

Operating Principles for a Sustainable Future Lucia Athens, the City of Austin’s Chief Sustainability Officer, will present her perspectives on creating more sustainable cities. We often view this process as simply adopting the latest technologies to reach our desired end. Beyond specific strategies, what ways of looking at the world will help us navigate the process of change? What world views provide a filter that allow us to select the most sustainable approaches? Presenter

• Lucia Athens, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Austin

What’s in your Tool-kit: Skills, Strategies and Solutions for your Success Join Dr. Calvin D. Jamison and Dr. Troy L. Coleman as they provide attendees a framework to assess and develop critical leadership and management tools. As professionals, your skill set as a leader and manager continues to be challenged and tested in the public, private, and non-profit arena. This high energy interactive assessment of leadership and management tools will assist you in navigating your professional and personal environment. The tools from this session will help you become a better leader, a better manager, and a more effective results-oriented professional.

Panelists

• Dr. Troy L. Coleman, Principal, Coleman & Associates Consultants, Dallas, TX
• Dr. Calvin D. Jamison, Vice President, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX

Executive Liability: How to Avoid Court, Negative Headlines, Compliance Hearings – and Jail! In this compelling workshop, you will learn how easy it is for federal prosecutors to make a case when executives and frontline employees deviate from seemingly inconsequential ethical practices and procedures. You will hear the stories of once highly respected executives whose choices and communications – as well as prevailing political agendas – led to criminal convictions, public scrutiny and negative media. This workshop helps build the awareness and competencies public employees need to prevent the loss of reputation and job, and avoid jail time.

Moderator

• Eartha Jean Johnson, President & CEO, LegalWatch, Houston, TX

Panelists

• Marcia L. Conner, Former City Manager, President, MLC Consulting, Durham, NC
• Gilbert C. Jackson, Former Corporate Executive, President, GCJ Consulting Group, New Orleans, LA
• Patrick Cotter, Former Assistant US Attorney, Trail Prosecutor for US v. John Gotti, Chicago, IL

Moderator

• Arif A. Quraishi, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Energy Solutions America, Johnson Controls, Inc., Milwaukee WI

Panelists

• Doyle Beneby, President and CEO, CPS Energy, San Antonio, TX
• Bob Gedert, Director, Solid Waste Service, City of Austin, Austin TX
• John R. Marks, Mayor, City of Tallahassee, Tallahassee, FL
• S. Lynn Mays, Vice President, ArcadisMalcolm Pirnie, San Antonio, TX
• Larry Weiss, General Manager, Austin Energy, City of Austin, Austin, TX

The “green” movement presents a number of interesting challenges and opportunities for cities and counties across the country. The issue of preserving our environment, and ultimately our communities for future generations, has intensified in the current economic climate, raising significant policy questions about how we save both the planet and the economy. Just as important to this discussion is the question of how do we make this billion dollar industry more inclusive of all income groups as we address issues such as energy conservation, environmental justice, workforce development, and public health. Please join a distinguished panel of public and private sector professionals as they engage in “straight talk” about the greening of America and sustaining our communities.