The Honorable W. Howard Myers, former Mayor and current Councilmember representing Ward 5 in the City of Petersburg, now serving in his second 4-year term.
He attended John Marshall High School, graduating from the Adult Accelerated Learning Center, focusing on Computer Operations at J Sargeant Reynolds, VCU Community Music School, and recently after delivering the 2015 Commencement Speech at Centura College of Richmond, VA received an Honorary Associate of Applied Science In Business Management Degree. Councilman Myers is also recognized as an International Recording Artist signed with Veksler Records Bronx, New York. The genre encompasses Deep House, Soulful House and Afro House.
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
- 18 years’ experience providing consultative and managerial services to public and private sector and municipal agencies
- 30 Years managing or interpreting policies and procedures in the realm of marketing and public relations, HR recruitment, classification, compensation, employee relations, as well as holding leadership roles on neighborhood boards and public commissions
Awards
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority “Minted Coin” for Excellence in Public Service 2017
Recognition of Service Crater Planning District 2017
U.S. Army Command Logistics “Minted Coin” for Excellence in Public Service 2016
Honorary Associate of Applied Science in Business Management – Centura College 2016
Tim Reid Scholarship Foundation Award 2000 – 2002
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Housing Specialist/Certified Housing Counselor
- Interview and screen clients for housing barriers and needs
- Interact and build relations with Landlords to promote permanent housing opportunities for homeless veterans/persons with HIV AIDS and their families
- Outreach and coordinate resources and services
- Inspect and provide safe affordable permanent housing
- Provide housing and financial counseling when appropriate
Public Relations and Marketing
- Created, produced and wrote content for WVST Student Council Radio broadcast
- USDA Conference 3 years VSU/RadioOne Richmond
- Publish materials, public and communications to include TV appearances by Dean Hairston, flyers, newsletters etc.
- Design and prepare weekly updates to website, both text, media and pictures, serving as webmaster
- Implement marketing tactics to improve company and university visibility
- Produce daily and annual updating of all materials including brochures, FAQ's, fact sheets, etc.
- Create and maintain all related art and media databases.
- Provide staffing support to local charitable committees and sub-committees in need of PR and Marketing
Employment/Selection
- Advised HR staff in the recruitment process
- Investigated safety issues and conduct inquiries for accurate information and develop action plans
- Advised and implemented recruiting practices through various network opportunities
- Directed and administered background checks and drug/alcohol screenings when/where applicable
- Developed Internship opportunities for Dislocated Workers
- Executed occupational placement for trained Interns
- Enforced policy and procedures where mandated
- Created customized training for specialized occupations
- Create occupational training sites with Employers
- Specific occupational placement for trained Interns
- Serve as the liaison between Case Managers and Training Sites (employers)
Employee Relations
- Interpret policies and procedures
- Counsel and determine resolutions of employee issues and documented concerns
- Oversaw employee grievances and mediate conflicts
- Established business and community partnerships to fulfill quarterly staffing goals
- Developed candidate qualifications to meet client goals and requirements
- Processed determinations of unemployment claims and grievances
- Ensured compliance regulations of state and federal laws
- Overview benefits and compensation with new employees
WORK HISTORY
- Housing Specialist 2016 - 2017
- Housing Specialist 2012 – 2014
- Public Relations and Marketing Specialist III Virginia State University 2011 – 2012
- Crater Regional Workforce Investment Board 2010 - 2010
- Public Relations/Facilities Manager Petersburg Regional Art Center 2008 - 2013
- Vice President Light Industrial Division Excel Staffing Services 2008 - 2008
- Customer Service Representative City of Petersburg 2004 - 2008
- Program Support Technician Department of Motor Vehicles 2000 – 2004
- Virginia Employment Commission 1999 - 2000
- HR/PR and Facilities Manager Gipson’s LTD 1993-1998
- HR Assistant/Principal Clerk City of Richmond 1980 – 1993
Boards and Commissions
- Petersburg City Council 2011 –
- Chairman Economic Development and Tourism Standing Committee - Mayor’s Appointment (2017) Reappointed (2018)
- Mayor Petersburg City Council (2015/17)
- Board of Directors Virginia Gateway Region (2015/17)
- Board of Directors Virginia First Cities (2015/17)
- US Conference of Mayor’s (2015/2017)
- Commission Member / Executive Committee Member Crater Planning District Commission (2015/17)
- Policy Committee / Voting Member Metropolitan Planning Organization (2015/17)
- State and Local Schools Steering Committee / Petersburg City Partnership with Schools (2015/16)
- Member of the Virginia Municipal League and National League of Cities (2011/16)
- Probation and Parole Re-Entry Council (2011/ )
- Co-Chair Petersburg City of Readers (Public Library) Steering Committee 2007
Public Service
- Back to School and Health Day initiative with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield 2016
- Vice President, Southside Virginia Council of the Arts, Petersburg, VA 2009
- President, Folly Castle Neighborhood Association, Petersburg, VA 2006/08
- Trustee, Historic Petersburg Foundation, Petersburg, VA 2005/07
- President, Southside Virginia Council of the Arts, Petersburg, VA 2004/06
- Designed for the Mayor's platform the Petersburg Public Library’s "Life Through Literature Annual Hometown Festival"
- Advisory Board, Friday for the Arts, Petersburg, VA 2004/06
- Marketing/Fundraising Coordinator; Tim Reid Scholarship Foundation Tidewater area 1998 - 1999
- Marketing/Fundraising Coordinator; Tim Reid Scholarship Foundation Richmond/Petersburg Tri-cities Area 2000 – 2002
Accomplishments:
Since January 2011 Councilman Myers facilitated the following initiatives to best serve his Ward 5 constituents and the greater city of Petersburg. To name a few…
1. 75+ demolished unsafe dilapidated houses in Ward 5
2. Ban the Box on city applications
3. City Recycling in school program
4. Community Healthcare Initiatives to reduce health disparities
5. Virginia Avenue School as a Community Health, Wellness and Recreation Center (ongoing)
6. Humane treatment and less euthanization at our Animal Pound
7. Instrumental in bringing the Red Cross Administration back to Petersburg
8. Negotiated the future arrival of a Bon Secours Primary Care facility to be located in the Freedom Support Center to serve our locality at large, as well as our veteran population. (closed 2016)
9. Created and motioned for the New Arts and Cultural Affairs Department
10. PCI movement for an African American Museum (ongoing with progress)
11. Petersburg Freedom Support (Veterans) Center former JET Furniture Store
12. Petersburg Freedom Support Training Center former ROC Thrift Store area 22 W. Washington St. (Now VEC/Workforce Development OneStop)
14. Restoration of Rights w/ the Rolling for Freedom Project (ongoing)
15. Street re-paving and marking (on going)
16. Supported increased legislation for non-responsive derelict homeowners
17. Tabernacle Baptist Church land acquisition for seniors and affordable housing
18. Third Baptist Church land acquisition Farmer and South Streets
19. To sell excess city owned real estate properties for redevelopment (ongoing)
20. Transparency of City Government (ongoing)
21. Voter Registration Drives
22. Major sponsor for the Delectable Heights Reunion 2014, 15, 16, and 17 (ongoing)
23. Ward 5 Community Clean Up (ongoing)
24. Initial supporter for the VSU Harding Street Community Hydroponics Garden Project (ongoing)
25. Supporter of our own Petersburg Symphony Orchestra
26. Supported Concurrent (Dual) Enrollment programs for VSU with the Office of Partnerships and Engagement
27. Initiated the return of the Virginia Employment Commission to relocate in Petersburg
28. Facilitated the negotiations for the combined Workforce “Onestop” facility.
29. Initiated and reconvened the Workforce CLEO Regional Board 2016
30. Demanded accountability for the City of Petersburg’s Financial insolvency through the hiring of the Rob Bobb Group 2016
31. Provided Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to our Senior population 2016
32. Continued efforts in assisting persons with barriers and conflicts to resolve key health and financial issues.
33. Advocate to enhance the delivery of service to the community, i.e. sidewalks, beautification and street repair.
34. Staunch supporter of Low Income Tax Credits LITC revitalization of City run-down structures with Council approval of private economic developments for the working class. Totaling more than $150M
35. Currently facilitating and with Council’s authorization to allow the City Manager to accept the McKinney Library Bldg., as a Deed of Gift. This in conjunction working with the City Librarian; to acquire the McKinney Library and its use upon being acquired, for the benefit of the public and tourism, in the creation of an African American Museum of Petersburg’s 400 years of history.
“Dreams should be fulfilled by the boundaries of your efforts, not the results of hatred, bigotry and remorse…”
W Howard Myers