Area of Expertise/Interest
Civil-Military Relations, Communications, Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Fundraising / Philanthropy, Government Oversight and Reform, Migration, Reconstruction, Travel and Transportation
Countries
HEATHER K. SOMERS
313 Robin Hood Lane, Costa Mesa, California 92627
(949) 646-0727 Cell 949-246-5533 E-mail: hksomers@gmail.com
PROFILE: An international, transportation and government contract consultant with 13 years of experience in various fields involved with complex issues; A proven facilitator and writer with ability to execute RFQs, RFPs and responses; Excellent organizational skills and communicates well both orally and in writing; Decisive, reliable and effective problem solver with a secret security clearance and experience in Maximo.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, California State University, Long Beach, CA
Associative Arts, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa Police Department Citizens Academy
Leadership Tomorrow - Graduate Class Coordinator
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Hill International, Joint-Venture with Stanley Baker Hill Intl, LLC Baghdad, Iraq 2009
Contract Specialist
Contract Close-out specialist, archivist, Asst. to Program Manager for over $2B in US Army Corps of Engineers defined projects specifically involved in civil engineering planning and construction of hospitals, schools, prisons, court houses, roads, bridges, power plants, water treatment plants, rail stations, port facilities, security points of entry, airports and police stations.
Peggy Ducey and Associates Dana Point, CA 2001 - 2008
Consultant
Consultation, writing, editing, proposals, RFQs, RFPs for various transportation projects including inter-modal transportation hubs and improved airport access for the Southern California region.
TranSystems Long Beach, CA 2007
Consultant
Co-wrote and edited response to Request for Proposal (RFP) for security training plan for
all personnel for Port of Los Angeles under Homeland Security directives; Included classroom training, testing, review and live scenario testing for every person who has access to the Port of Los Angeles from the truck drivers and longshoremen to the ship’s crews and Captains.
Southern California Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA) Los Angeles, CA 2001-2002
Consultant
Facilitated Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) members in adopting regional airport and inter-modal transportation plan including redirection of $12B in federal transportation dollars; Required knowledge of specifics of inter-governmental policy and issues at both State and Federal levels; Wrote Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for attorney position within SCAG organization; Worked with Urban Dimensions, a civic planning company, and Peggy Ducey and Associates, transportation planner and CEO of the Southern California Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA), to promote regional inter-airport cooperative planning.
City of Costa Mesa, CA 1996 - 2000
City Council Member
One of a five-member City Council in a progressive city of 105,000, noted for its dedication to diverse arts, businesses and residential development. Chairperson of Costa Mesa Redevelopment Agency, overseeing distribution of nearly $2M per year in grant funding; Set City policies and developed budget of over $77M; Liaison (advisor) for Tourism and Promotions Council providing government perspectives and policy for the enrichment of the City; Successfully promoted CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) in conjunction with Costa Mesa Fire Department training employees in emergency triage and evacuation; Successfully proposed TIP (Trauma Intervention Program); Founder and Voting Board Member of Costa Mesa Foundation overseeing and promoting grant funding for specific City projects; Liaison to Mesa Consolidated Water District, Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funding, Child Care and Youth Services and Eastside Traffic Study Committees; Board Member of the Orange County Regional Airport Authority providing direction and implementing policies and restrictions currently in place at John Wayne Airport.
Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA 1994-1995
Columnist
Special interest column writer for The Breeze – a weekly insert for local newspaper.
SPECIAL MENTION:
United States Secret Service, Presidential Detail 1996
Limousine Driver
Drove motorcade for Robert Dole, Elizabeth Dole and Jack Kemp during visits to Orange County on campaign trips; Interacted with polls, press, campaign staff as well as City, County, State and Federal dignitaries.
Currently hold a secret security clearance.
BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS:
Key facilitator in redirecting over $12B in funds throughout the Southern California region by promoting a plan to use Regional Transportation Planning dollars from the Federal government to develop better ground access to airports.
Founded Costa Mesa Community Foundation – a non-profit 501(c)(3) Foundation to raise money for specific City projects and improvements. The proposal, which was accepted by the Council, has to date generated over $250,000 in donations.
Co-wrote the Security Training Program for all the personnel of the Port of Los Angeles under the guidelines of the NTSB and Homeland Security.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
President - Eastside Homeowners Association
Vice President - Presbyterian Women – St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Founder and Chair - Costa Mesa Community Foundation
References and letters of recommendation available upon request
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InterAction Shelter And Settlements Working Group |
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