HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Fire Commission Interviews____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File Number: 9-2-5
Council Meeting: 03/02/2020
Disposition: Reappoint Thomas Weathers as a regular voting member and reappoint David
Fonkalsrud as an alternate member, on the Fire Commission to the end of March 2024
Agenda Item No: SM 1
Meeting Date: March 2, 2020
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Department: City Clerk
Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk City Manager Approval: _______
TOPIC: FIRE COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
SUBJECT: INTERVIEW APPLICANTS AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO FILL TWO
FOUR-YEAR TERMS, ONE REGULAR VOTING MEMBER AND ONE
ALTERNATE MEMBER, ON THE FIRE COMMISSION TO THE END OF
MARCH 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
Interview the following applicants and make appointments to fill two four-year terms, one regular
voting member and one alternate member, on the Fire Commission to the end of March 2024.
Name
Andrew Cullen
David Fonkalsrud
Thomas Weathers
BACKGROUND:
At the meeting of January 21, 2020, the City Council called for applications for the Fire
Commission to fill one four-year term and one four-year alternate member term to the end of
March 2024.
The Fire Commission consists of five members and two alternate members who advise and
support the goals and objectives of the San Rafael Fire Department. In concert with the Fire
Chief, Fire Commission Members contribute their experience and expertise with department-
related initiatives, such as Public Education and Information, Emergency Preparedness, support
of the San Rafael Fire Foundation, Essential Facilities Project, Photography and documenting
Fire Service History.
The Fire Commission’s goals for 2020 include supporting the implementation of the Wildfire
Action Plan, participating in the Public Safety Center grand opening, promoting the cooperation
with the San Rafael Fire Foundation and assisting in fund raising efforts, and participating in
departmental ceremonies such as badge pinning, promotions and retirement ceremonies.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
ANALYSIS:
The deadline for submitting applications was February 12, 2020, and the City Clerk’s Office
received three applications. Staff recommends the City Council interview the three eligible
applicants and make appointments to fill two four-year terms, one regular voting members and
one alternate member, to the end of March 2024.
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each other month at 4:00 p.m. at the Fire
Administrative Office, 1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 345, San Rafael, CA 94903.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The call for applications for the Fire Commission was advertised through mass email
notification, Canal Alliance, the City website, Nextdoor and Facebook social media platforms.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Interview applicants and make appointments to fill two four-year terms, one regular voting
member and one alternate member, on the Fire Commission to the end of March 2024.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Three (3) applications
2. Fire Commission Municipal Code Section 2.16.010
Submit Date: Jan 30, 2020
First Name Middle Initial Last Name
Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Job Title
City Of San Rafael, Ca Boards & Commissions
Profile
Question applies to Pickleweed Advisory Committee
Pickleweed Advisory Committee: The deadline for filing applications is open until filled.
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Fire Commission: Submitted
Special Library Parcel Tax Committee (Measure D): Submitted
Pickleweed Advisory Committee: Submitted
Are you a resident of San Rafael
Yes No
Resident of the City of San Rafael for how many years?
San Rafael
Business Address
How did you learn about this vacancy? *
NextDoor
Interests & Experiences
Do you participate in any civic activities?
Not currently.
Andrew J Cullen
San Rafael CA 94901
Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory EHS Progessional
Andrew J Cullen Page 1 of 2
Upload a Resume
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
MCBC.
Education:
UC Berkeley B.S. Chemistry (2013)
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
To serve the community I live in.
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None.
Demographics (Optional)
The demographic information you choose to provide is VOLUNTARY and OPTIONAL and refusal
to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. This information will be considered
confidential, kept separate from your application and will not be used for evaluating applications or
making appointments. The City of San Rafael will use this information solely to conduct research
and compile statistical reports regarding the composition of its Board and Commission applicants.
Ethnicity:
To which gender do you most identify?
How old are you?
Andrew_Cullen_Resume_013020.docx
Andrew J Cullen Page 2 of 2
•Oversaw and strengthened EH&S procedures in chemistry teaching labs
•Optimized chemical inventories, safety inspections and labeling programs
•Projected and purchased supplies and equipment by managing a budget
•Strategized meeting program needs of students, faculty and staff
Chemistry Lab Technician
College of Marin
Junior Research Specialist I
University of California, Berkeley
Undergraduate Researcher
University of California, Berkeley
•Influenced and implemented new EH&S policies by participating in the
Chemical Safety Committee
•Optimized EH&S controls in a research space that contained chemical,
biological (BSL2), and radioactive hazards
•Oriented and oversaw training of new lab members in EH&S
•Conducted organic synthesis and biological labeling research under limited
supervision and collaborated with a team of scientists
•Communicated research findings through written reports and presentations
•Invented a synthetic pathway for Si-Rhodamines and cyclooctynes for use in
copper-free click labeling of bacterial and mammalian cells
•Analyzed data and constructed manuscripts to communicate results
•Publicized research results through poster and PowerPoint presentations
CONTACT
ANDREW CULLE N
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
August 2016 – June 2018
July 2013 – July 2014
EDUCATION
Certifications
August 2012 – July 2013
• OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER
• DOT 40-Hour Basic Awareness
• DOT Advance Mixed/Radiation Shipper
• EPA RCRA/CWA/CAA
• CA Title 22/HSC
• IATA
San Rafael, CA, 94901
Anticipated 2020
Tel:
2013
Linkedin.com/andrew-cullen
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
@
PUBLICATIONS
Peyton Shieh, M. Sloan Siegrist,
Andrew J. Cullen, and Carolyn R.
Bertozzi. “Imaging bacterial
peptidoglycan with near-infrared
fluorogenic azide probes”
Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences U. S. A. 2014,
111, 5456-6461.
University of California, Berkeley
School of Public Health
Masters of Public Health, Environmental Health
University of California, Berkeley
College of Chemistry
Bachelors of Science, Chemistry
Training
Skills and Abilities
Environment/Health/Safety Professional June 2018 - Present
• Provide guidance, direction and recommendations to research and operations
personnel to improve safety and regulatory compliance of hazardous materials
• Develop relationships with multi-disciplinary teams to support planning and
implementing improvements to EH&S programs
• Identify and strengthen technical program areas to ensure compliance with
applicable regulations and to reduce risk to the institution
• Classify and certify waste with the application of generator process knowledge to
meet on-site and off-site TSDF WACs and DOT regulations
• Interpret regulations applicable to environmental compiance
•
• Project Management
• Program Development/Implementation
• Research Methods
• Waste Management Regulations
• Chemistry, Statistics and Public Health
• Written and Oral Communication
• Self-Motivated and Independent
• Collaborative with Diverse Groups
• Resourceful
CHMM, 2018-Present
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager
CSP, 2019-Present
Certified Safety Professional
Submit Date: Jan 26, 2020
First Name Middle Initial Last Name
Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Job Title
City Of San Rafael, Ca Boards & Commissions
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Fire Commission: Appointed
Are you a resident of San Rafael
Yes No
Resident of the City of San Rafael for how many years?
15
Business Address
How did you learn about this vacancy? *
Other
Interests & Experiences
Do you participate in any civic activities?
San Rafael Fire Commission alternate (2016-present); St. Anselm School Girls CYO Athletic Director
(2017-present); Coaching various kids sports teams (soccer, basketball); Various fundraising activities
(Swim Across America, Glenwood School Foundation, St. Anselm School Golf Tournament, Leukemia
Society – Team in Training).
David Fonkalsrud
San Rafael CA 94901
Equinix, Inc.Director, Global Public Relations
David Fonkalsrud Page 1 of 2
Upload a Resume
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
San Rafael Fire Commission (alternate)
Education:
B.A. degree in political science from Denison University, Granville, OH
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
Firefighters across the nation and world put their lives on the line every day to protect the public. I would
like to continue to help serve in a way in which I can give back a small amount in exchange for the
tremendous sacrifices they make. I am also interested in emergency response, as I am an Eagle Scout
from a Boy Scout troop that was very focused on first aid and emergency preparedness -- and from the
fact that my father was a medical professional. I feel that now more than ever the public needs to be
aware of fire risks and what they can do to be more fire wise and prepared – something that I can
hopefully contribute to from my background in public relations and communications. I also have several
friends who are fire fighters!
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None.
Demographics (Optional)
The demographic information you choose to provide is VOLUNTARY and OPTIONAL and refusal
to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. This information will be considered
confidential, kept separate from your application and will not be used for evaluating applications or
making appointments. The City of San Rafael will use this information solely to conduct research
and compile statistical reports regarding the composition of its Board and Commission applicants.
Ethnicity:
To which gender do you most identify?
How old are you?
Resume_-_David_Fonkalsrud.doc
David Fonkalsrud Page 2 of 2
DAVID FONKALSRUD
____________________________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY
• 20+ years of corporate communications, public relations and marketing communications experience on the agency and
client side.
• Experience in executive management of all functional areas of a communications agency, including business development,
P&L management, talent recruitment and retention, and senior-level client strategy and engagement.
• Proven track record of successes in: translating the vision of C-level executives into communications programs that advance
business goals; leading and mentoring teams; developing strategic positioning / messaging; successfully positioning
companies before business, trade and consumer press; protecting and advancing corporate reputation during high-profile
and high-risk events.
EXPERIENCE
RACEPOINT GLOBAL, San Francisco, California, 2014 - Present
Executive Vice President
Top executive managing the Western U.S. operations of global top 20 public relations and marketing services agency.
• Manage the teams that, in less than one year, secured more than 10 new clients, including brands such as Rambus,
Cypress Semiconductor, Springpath, Megaport, Loop Commerce and Stanford Children’s Hospital.
• Provide strategic leadership to clients and agency teams executing programs throughout the U.S., including Samsung,
Bank of the West and E Ink.
• Grew office headcount by 20% to 20+ staff, overseeing recruitment, professional development and staff engagement
initiatives in a highly competitive market for talent.
• Executed vision of developing agency staff with backgrounds in traditional public relations to become “marketers”
with the ability to execute fully integrated marketing services programs (traditional PR, digital marketing, creative,
content amplification, paid influencer programs, etc.).
• Led the staff and client rollout of Racepoint’s proprietary influencer engagement technology – a solution that provides
unique insight into the degree of influence specific individuals exert on stakeholders/topics and how to most effectively
engage with them to promote a priority narrative.
K/F COMMUNICATIONS, INC., San Francisco, California, 2001 - 2014
Co-Founder / Principal
Co-founded and grew award-winning public relations and strategic communications agency to 10+ employees and annual
billings of $1.7 million. Agency was ranked #19 in the 2013 O’Dwyer’s list of the top public relations firms in San
Francisco/Northern California. Managed staff and clients in a variety of business-to-business and business-to-consumer
markets, providing consultation on communications strategy and tactics, positioning and messaging, media and analyst relations,
crisis communications, media training, internal communications, financial communications, social media, and speaking
opportunity and presentation development. Formulated strategic direction of the agency, led business development programs,
and managed employee development initiatives.
Highlights include:
• Managed agency to achieve profitability through the technology recession of 2001 and the Great Recession of 2007 -
2009, and the subsequent boom cycles.
• Led all financial aspects of the business including P&L for the agency and each account.
• Nurtured client relationships through close interaction with client contacts, ensuring excellence of work product, and
providing ongoing strategic counsel.
• Developed and grew network of client-side PR and marketing contacts and venture capital partners to ensure a constant
pipeline for new business opportunities. Over a 13 year period, secured more than 50 clients for the agency.
• Established an entrepreneurial, merit-based culture within the agency for employee advancement. Developed process
for evaluating prospective talent, mentoring and training staff, even at senior levels, and measuring employee
productivity and contribution to accounts.
• Successful exits for startup clients resulted in acquisitions by Apple, Citrix, Juniper Networks, Oracle, F5 Networks,
Ziff Davis, Discovery Communications and an IPO.
Specific client accomplishments:
• Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX): Over a nine year relationship, developed and implemented the pre and post-IPO
external communications programs for this developer of large data center facilities, helping it to grow from an unknown
startup to a global brand with annual revenues of more than $1B. Created the global crisis communications program,
managed PR initiatives for the company’s IPO and four acquisitions, led market analyst relations, and developed the
global PR strategy for operations in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Developed the foundational and ongoing
positioning/messaging that was instrumental in differentiating Equinix from several high-flying competitors that
ultimately went out of business after the 2001 recession and that was integral to the company’s long-term success.
• Digg: Led all elements of the four-year, award-winning PR program that launched Digg from an unknown startup to a
well-known global brand. Created the company messaging that positioned Digg on the forefront of the emerging social
media category. Secured coverage in top U.S. and global media, including cover articles in Business Week, Time
Magazine, Inc. Magazine and Red Herring. The successes of the PR program attracted multiple acquisition suitors and
enabled Digg to sign a breakthrough advertising contract that provided a critical revenue stream.
• Intel: Directed the PR program for a software division at Intel that created more than one million impressions in targeted
media within the first five months and secured thought leadership for the division’s management within its target market.
This program was directly linked to securing key customer and partner relationships for Intel.
• Additional client engagements included: Amtel, Arcwave, B-Side Entertainment, Blue Run Ventures, Commute.org,
Covia Labs, Defense.Net, Edgewater Networks, Extreme Reality, MiMedia, Net6, Orbital Data, PacketMotion, Peribit
Networks, Pre Found, RowNine, SimpleGeo, TagWhat and Talari Networks.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR, San Francisco, California, 2000 - 2001
Public Relations Consultant
Provided public relations consulting services for several technology companies, including Equinix, Logictier and Sentica.
Specific accomplishments included:
• Planned and executed a press event for the grand opening of a data center in San Jose that generated more than 20 million
press impressions including coverage on CNBC, the Fox News Channel, CNET News TV, ZDTV, local San Francisco TV
news, Reuters, Bloomberg, the San Francisco Examiner, Business 2.0 and others.
• Planned and executed a press conference with Salt Lake City Olympic CEO Mitt Romney to announce a client’s
sponsorship of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, generating lo cal and international broadcast, print and online coverage.
DHL WORLDWIDE EXPRESS, INC., Redwood City, California, 1995 - 2000
Marketing Communications Manager
Serving as the top communications executive for the company, worked directly with the CEO to manage external and internal
communications programs, including corporate communications, employee communications and advertising. Designed strategic
communications plans for all significant company initiatives, including network expansion, strategic alliances and new product
launches. Developed corporate positioning / messaging, served as the primary company spokesperson, and managed all media
relations, executive speaking opportunity, crisis communications and issues management programs. Directed public relations,
advertising and other branding agencies in addition to department staff.
• Created programs that secured coverage and market presence for DHL in industry and financial media that previously only
mentioned the company’s two top competitors.
• Built PR department from the ground up to a position where PR became the primary marketing communications tactic for
the company.
• Placed numerous cover and feature articles on the company, including a 15 minute segment on CNN that was aired globally
and a Global Finance magazine cover article that touted DHL as the world’s “most global company.”
• Advised the CEO, president and senior executive team on all of the company’s strategic communications issues.
• Managed internal communications programs for the company’s 10,000 employees.
CASEY & SAYRE, INC., Santa Monica, California, 1992 - 1995
Associate
Created and implemented public relations programs for clients in the telecommunications, legal, accounting and real estate
industries for this respected public relations firm. Developed positioning and messaging, coordinated media relations and
public affairs programs, and secured speaking opportunities for clients at targeted events. Regularly placed clients in The Wall
Street Journal, the New York Times and other business media.
• Positioned partners at Latham & Watkins as legal expert sources on a variety of topics, including telecommunications,
international law in Russia, and the use of “junk science” in court cases. Secured coverage in top business and trade med ia,
including a high-profile 45 minute interview for one partner on C-SPAN.
• Developed a public affairs program for a foreign government’s cultural ministry that led to greater understanding of their
country by Americans.
• Designed community relations programs for a proposed $3 billion Southern California real estate project and other major
land developments.
EDUCATION
Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science / Communications
President, Denison University Student Body
SAN RAFAEL CHARTER
ARTICLE VIII Executive and Administrative Departments, Section 10. FIRE COMMISSION.
There shall be a board of fire commissioners appointed by the council, the exact number of which shall
be set by ordinance or resolution of the council , one of whom may be a councilman . The chief of the fire department
shall be an ex officio member of the commission but shall not be entitled to vote as a member
of the commission . The members of the commission shall serve for a term of four years and shall be subject to removal
by the affirmative vote of three members of the council. The terms of office of members of the commission shall be
staggered in the manner provided by resolution of the council. The board of fire commissioners shall exercise such
powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed or conferred in this charter or by the ordinances of the city .
(Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 121, August 20, 1973: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 46, May 31, 1967 .)
2.16.010 Board of Fire Commissioners.*
A board of fire commissioners is created . (Ord . 889 § 2 , 1967 : Ord . 825 § 1 , 1965 : Ord . 422).
* Fire Commission--See San Rafael Charter , Art . VIII§ 10 .
2.16.011 Board membership--Compensation.
The board of fire commissioners shall consist of five members appointed by the city council, one of whom may be a
councilman . The chief of the fire department shall be an ex officio member of the commission,
but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the commission . All members of the commission shall serve without
compensation . (Ord . 889 § 3 (part), 1967).
2.16.012 Board term of office and removal.
The members of the board of fire commissioners shall serve for a term of four years and shall be subject
to removal by the affirmative vote of three members of the council. The terms of office of members of the commission
shall be staggered in the manner provided by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 889 § 3 (part), 1967).
2.16.013 Board powers and duties.
Subject to the direction and control of the city council , as provided in Section 2 .04 .030 of this code , the powers and
duties of the board of fire commissioners shall be:
To review and recommend concerning the future needs of the fire department in respect to long-range capital needs ,
including buildings , training facilities , and water mains and hydrant replacements ;
To review the relationship of the fire department with other governmental agencies and private entities concerning
topics which the commission feels present a true and pressing need for the city's fire service , i.e ., mutual aid and the
fire rating system of the Independent Insurance Office ;
To review, comment and make recommendations regarding the annual operating budget of the department;
To recommend to the fire chief and the city council action concerning initial adoption and future amendments to the fire
prevention code , the building code , and other such ordinances which pertain to the prevention of fires within the
community ;
To receive monthly reports from the department head concerning the general operations and functions of the
department ;
To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the city council.
(Ord.1131 § 1, 1974: Ord. 889 § 3 (part), 1967).
SAN RAFAEL CHARTER
ARTICLE VIII Executive and Administrative Departments, Section 10. FIRE COMMISSION.
There shall be a board of fire commissioners appointed by the council, the exact number of which shall
be set by ordinance or resolution of the council , one of whom may be a councilman . The chief of the fire department
shall be an ex officio member of the commission but shall not be entitled to vote as a member
of the commission . The members of the commission shall serve for a term of four years and shall be subject to removal
by the affirmative vote of three members of the council. The terms of office of members of the commission shall be
staggered in the manner provided by resolution of the council. The board of fire commissioners shall exercise such
powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed or conferred in this charter or by the ordinances of the city .
(Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 121, August 20, 1973: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 46, May 31, 1967 .)
2.16.010 Board of Fire Commissioners.*
A board of fire commissioners is created . (Ord . 889 § 2 , 1967 : Ord . 825 § 1 , 1965 : Ord . 422).
* Fire Commission--See San Rafael Charter , Art . VIII§ 10 .
2.16.011 Board membership--Compensation.
The board of fire commissioners shall consist of five members appointed by the city council, one of whom may be a
councilman . The chief of the fire department shall be an ex officio member of the commission,
but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the commission . All members of the commission shall serve without
compensation . (Ord . 889 § 3 (part), 1967).
2.16.012 Board term of office and removal.
The members of the board of fire commissioners shall serve for a term of four years and shall be subject
to removal by the affirmative vote of three members of the council. The terms of office of members of the commission
shall be staggered in the manner provided by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 889 § 3 (part), 1967).
2.16.013 Board powers and duties.
Subject to the direction and control of the city council , as provided in Section 2 .04 .030 of this code , the powers and
duties of the board of fire commissioners shall be:
To review and recommend concerning the future needs of the fire department in respect to long-range capital needs ,
including buildings , training facilities , and water mains and hydrant replacements ;
To review the relationship of the fire department with other governmental agencies and private entities concerning
topics which the commission feels present a true and pressing need for the city's fire service , i.e ., mutual aid and the
fire rating system of the Independent Insurance Office ;
To review, comment and make recommendations regarding the annual operating budget of the department;
To recommend to the fire chief and the city council action concerning initial adoption and future amendments to the fire
prevention code , the building code , and other such ordinances which pertain to the prevention of fires within the
community ;
To receive monthly reports from the department head concerning the general operations and functions of the
department ;
To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the city council.
(Ord.1131 § 1, 1974: Ord. 889 § 3 (part), 1967).