Members in Transition Program (MIT)

MISSION

Successfully deliver proactive value to NFBPA members by providing structured career transition resources to support members during a period of adversity, challenge and change.

OBJECTIVE

Effectively assist registered members in the MIT Program when faced with an involuntary (or voluntary) career change that leaves the member in a "transition" status.

MIT APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

Current NFBPA Member
Additional information on the page focuses on identified resources that provide career and professional development, strategies to maintain wellness during this transition period, and related networking resources, programs, and social media strategies.
Access to “Linkedin Learning” by connecting MIT Program participants to the relevant content at an appropriate time in their careers. Members have the opportunity to learn from best-in-class instructors across a broad learning library. Participants will have access to videos that aid in creating “learning paths” for career advancement.

A Members in Transition workshop session at NFBPA Forum.
The MIT Program conducts informational sessions including interactive Monthly Meetings and Webinars. Subjects are topical and uniquely developed for NFBPA membership. Each previous session can be accessed from the MIT page.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Minimum of 5 years of current NFBPA membership.
Member released or resigned from employment within the prior 12 months.
Member will seek a public sector position or a position with a non-profit organization. Once employed, MIT Program participant will commit to full NFBPA membership for two years at the full member rate at the time.
MIT Program participation is up to 12 months, with eligibility to return to the MIT Program as new conditions occur.
MIT Program provides: (1) $150.00 virtual or onsite rate for NFBPA’s Forum and (2) National NFBPA membership dues waived upon next annual renewal. Local chapter dues will continue to be paid.
A completed application is required to be considered and accepted to participate in the MIT Program and obtain program benefits.
CURRENT MIT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS LISTED BELOW

RESOURCES, WEBINARS, & ARTICLES

MEETINGS

Invisible Costs: The Hidden Price of AI without Human Oversight
June 18, 2025 | 12:30 PM EST

AI can transform organizational efficiency, but cutting corners on human expertise creates costly blind spots. Learn how blending AI with strategic human oversight protects your organization from hidden risks and ensures investments deliver meaningful, lasting value..

How to Impress a Headhunter
May 21, 2025 | 12:30 PM EST

Presentation Summary: Career transitions offer an ideal time to think through your career, goals, challenges, and accomplishments. Learn how to weave your experience into a narrative that will make you a top candidate for job opportunities that are well-suited for you.

Disconnect, Power Off, and Unplug: The Leadership-Mindfulness Connection
April 16, 2025

Public-sector leaders face ever-growing demands, making resilience and self-care essential for leadership excellence. Drawing from 25+ years of global corporate and academic experience, Linda Saulsby shares practical strategies to help leaders prioritize well-being and thrive personally and professionally. Join us to gain valuable insights and take your leadership to the next level!

City of Austin Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment
March 19, 2025

This newly created office is committed to fostering a vibrant, creative ecosystem that celebrates and supports Austin’s artists, musicians, entertainment venues, and cultural institutions. The work we do here will shape Austin’s future, enhancing its identity and reinforcing the importance of the creative industries as both cultural and economic drivers.

Taking Charge of Your Career: Transitioning from Public Administration to the Nonprofit Sector
February 19, 2025

Explore career similarities, differences, and key steps to transition successfully. Focus on leveraging transferable skills, building nonprofit knowledge, and expanding your network for a smooth transition from public administration to the nonprofit sector. Find resources for further exploration.

Procurement: Purchasing for Everyone
January 15, 2025

Join us this month as Yolanda Miller, Deputy Procurement Officer for the City of Austin,shares insights from her 25+ years in public procurement. With a career spanning leadership roles at UTSA, the City of San Antonio, and the Louisville, KY Water Company, Yolanda brings a wealth of expertise.

Her professional contributions include serving as Secretary of the Institute of Supply Management–Austin Chapter and Vice President of the San Antonio Public Procurement Association. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from her experience!

FORUM 2025 SFO, Why Should You Attend & What To Expect
December 18, 2024

Justina Mann is a dynamic, aggressive, and creative leader with a proven track record as a business builder. She has over 20 years of progressive professional experience in developing, negotiating, evaluating, delivering, and managing government contracts, projects, and programs within a complex regulatory environment.

Her key roles include working with teams of consultants and internal stakeholders to support major process redesign projects. She has demonstrated expertise in effectively communicating across organizational lines, developing scopes of work, orchestrating process improvements, documenting changes, identifying process and change management requirements, performing effective requirement analyses, and implementing performance measurements.

November 20th Webinar
November 20, 2024

Join us for NFBPA's next virtual seminar, Building Greater Futures: Member in Transition, on Wed, Nov. 20, 2024, where we explore "The Next Economic Engine for Counties & Municipalities." Don't miss this insightful session on advancing your career and understanding emerging economic opportunities!

Leveraging AI for Transformative Governments
October 16, 2024

Travis L. Cutright currently serves as the Deputy City Manager for the City of Peoria, AZ. With 27 years of experience in executive roles, he has held positions such as Chief Information Officer, Director of Information Technology, and VP & Regional Business Manager in both the private and public sectors. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Management from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. An active member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, ICMA, and NFBPA, Mr. Cutright will provide an insightful presentation on leveraging artificial intelligence to transform service delivery in government. He will address challenges and solutions in developing an effective AI strategy.

The 4 Pillars 2.0/ Equitable Development Mode
September 18, 2024

Darnell Brown is the newly-elected President of the NFBPA. He retired as the Chief Operating Officer of the City of Cleveland, where he served the City for more than 47 years. Brown’s extensive municipal experience includes operations, capital improvements, facilities construction and maintenance, budgeting, labor relations and organizational development. Each of these competencies were utilized in his oversight of the departments of Public Works, Public Utilities, Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects, and the Mayor’s Action Center. In this role he was part of the senior leadership for the City of Cleveland and an executive advisor to the Mayor.

Fundraising Principles
July 17, 2024

Gregory Perrin, is the Associate Vice President for Development at St. Edward's University in Austin. TX. As Associate VP he has directed fundraising activities that hves raised $29 million over the last five(5) years; & is implementing a comprehensive campus wide corporate engagement strategy. Mr. Perrin has led fundraising efforts that has generated over $90 million dollars in contributed revenue & participated as a leader in comprehensive fundraising campaigns that generated more than $3 billion dollars in contributed revenue at the University of Texas at Austin & other nonprofits in Austin & Houston, TX.

All Hazards: Making History in the Fire Department
April 17, 2024

C.C. Speight serves as a career Battalion Chief in Howard County, MD. She works in field operations commanding fires rescues & other significant incidents. She was the 1st Black woman promoted to any rank within her department after working as a firefighter, paramedic & technical rescue team member. She also serves on the Maryland State IMT & is an executive coordinator for Black Fire Chief officers' organization.

College Planning For A Career In Government
March 20, 2024

CPTS engages in active support of students seeking avenues to educational opportunities and careers in public service, which is powerfully demonstrated in initiatives, programs, and other means of student sponsorship promoted by NFBPA, to open avenues to scholarships and college education for students. Since 2002, CPTS has maintained a 97% successful matriculation rate, and over 28,000 students have attained college degrees working through CPTS programs. This effort and commitment to career and higher educational advancement opportunities, has been widely circulated among the staff, representatives, and student ambassadors of College Planning TODAY Services, Inc. Our goal is to support the NFBPA mission of promoting public service as a fulfilling career path. CPTS engages education stakeholders, philanthropists, and donors, arranging millions of dollars in scholarship awards for students each year.

Taking Charge of Your Career
February 21, 2024

Public sector organizations have a variety of competing priorities to address. Thinking through and prioritizing what provides the greatest impact in terms of mission alignment and return on investment is critical for those charged with stewarding an entities resources, rather personnel or finances. This session aims to focus on the financial aspect specifically to provide insight into best practice strategies for allocating budget resources in alignment with strategic goals as well as addressing issues such as contingency reserves. While the framework is higher ed based, many of the principles apply to other public sector entities.

Leveraging Performance Management & Data Analytics In Executing City Council Priority Goals
January 17, 2024

Each year city councils & county boards engage in priority goal-setting & planning exercises. Often, the governing body includes staff in this process. This session will discuss how leveraging performance management & data analytics can optimize the actualization of outcomes and results associated with these priority goals, further strengthening the alignment of a municipality’s governing body with its administrative organization. This will discuss the lasting impact of an integrated performance management system on executing City Council priority goals within the confines of existing resources. Learn how the City of Stockton has successfully leveraged performance management and data analytics from a case study perspective. See how your organization can optimize alignment with your elected official’s highest priorities.

Navigating Change: A Guide For Local Government Leaders
December 13, 2023

Dr. Philip Harris’s presentation will present the pivotal role of local government officials during periods of transition. It covers strategies for maintaining productivity, fostering robust relationships, and engaging the community. It offers insights into career development, overseeing police conduct, and enhancing leadership competencies. Concluding with the keys to a successful transition, the session provides a roadmap for ethical decision-making and accountability in public service.

Creating Culture of Diversity Equity, & Inclusion
November 15, 2023

Linda Graham Jones serves the Town of Apex, NC, as the Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. She has worked in local government for 20+ years including 13+ years in leadership positions. Ms. Jones joined the Town of Apex, NC in February 2022 as the 1st DEI Director. Previously, she worked for the City of Raleigh in community engagement roles, i.e., Community Relations Analyst, Staff Liaison to Boards & Commissions, Youth Employment Program Manager, Digital Inclusion Program Director, & Community Engagement Administrator..

Managing Change During Challenging Times
October 18, 2023

Jelynne Jamison has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Health Care Services, the local mental health authority for Bexar County, TX. She previously served as Ex. VP & Chief Delivery Officer for CPS Energy where she led a team of 1,853 employees & managed an operational budget of $158 million and a capital budget of $304 million.

It Won't Always Be Like This
September 20, 2023

Join us this month to hear from speaker ArDeanna Seabron-Hicks’. ArDeanna Seabron-Hicks’ joined the CPS Energy team to implement the CPS Energy Ethics program. During her tenure at CPS Energy, ArDeanna has held leadership roles in Ethics, Energy Delivery & Administration, Customer Service, and Talent Development.

Transparency in Public Communication
July 19, 2023

Join us this month to hear from speaker James G. Gaston, II. James G. Gaston, II has 30+ years in the public/private sectors, & entrepreneurial arena. He has successfully managed large multi-tiered service organizations with budget & financial operations, human resources, procurement, contracting, real estate/facilities, project management, & delivery of IT infrastructure services with staffs over 500+ & budgets exceeding $1+ billion.

Lessons Learned From An Unexpected & Untimely Public Departure
June 21, 2023

Justine Jones has 16 years in local government. She’s developed comprehensive experiences across organizations, recently serving as Town Manager in Kenly, NC. In 2015, she founded Strategic Innovation Partners in Suffolk, VA, which specialized in management and smart governance consulting, strategy development and implementation, execution of policy initiatives and priorities, equitable delivery of services, and program and project management in the VA, NC and Washington DC areas

Thriving & Growing During Career Transition
May 17, 2023

Ron Holifield served almost two (2) decades in City Management in these Texas cities; Assistant City Manager in Plano, & City Manager in Garland, DeSoto, Farmersville & Sundown. In 1999, Ron founded Strategic Government Resources (SGR) to specialize in Recruiting, Assessing & Developing Innovative, Collaborative, Authentic Leaders for local governments nationwide. Today, Ron speaks at over 50 state & national conferences & workshops each year and remains high profile in the city management profession. SGR is the 3 rd largest local government executive search firm in the nation, operates the 2 nd largest local government job board in the nation, & provides live & online leadership development to more local government executives & midlevel managers than any other company in the nation

Career Transitions: Planned or Unexpected?
April 19, 2023

Anthony Snipes has over twenty years experience in non-profit and government. He is a public administrator with a consistent record of success in planning budgeting, human resources, public safety, information technology, and financial management.

Be Ready for the Next Career Challenges of Opportunity
March 15, 2023

Byron C. Marshall has more than 35 years of Executive level, leadership experience in the public, non-profit and private sectors. He is skilled in budgeting and strategic planning; program development and management, economic development project implementation, organizational change, and leadership.

The 4 Pillars of Excellence: How to position yourself in today's public workforce.
February 16, 2023

Calvin D. Jamison is responsible for overseeing facilities management, economic development, construction, real estate, and auxiliary services. He leads more than $2 billion in development and the addition of more than 14 million new and renovated square feet to the campus, including a mixed-use development called Northside, also known as "Comet Town". UT Dallas has recieved more than 35 awards for building designs, LEED certification and sustainability under his leadership.

1st Amendment & Local/State Government: How to deal with Auditors
February 1, 2023

WEBINARS

Initial Training Webinar for MIT Ambassadors and Recruits (May 4, 2022)

A Members in Transition Program Ambassador offers significant value for NFBPA members at a transition stage in their career. This webinar will discuss the importance of Ambassadors as a value added resource to the continued career success and retention of its members. They function as professional colleagues, advisors, and supporters -- not employment consultants. An Ambassador provides help with foreseen transition issues, offers tactical career advice, and aids with professional support to the MIT participant. They maintain contact with local and regional NFBPA leadership. Ambassadors may introduce an MIT participant to local and national search resources known to the Ambassador. The efforts of MIT Ambassadors are performed in support of NFBPA and its members on a volunteer basis. Key methods, resources available and tactics are shared.

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Mindfulness: Exploring the Self During Professional Transition (May 10, 2022)

Explore how mindfulness can profoundly benefit you during a career transition as you step back in authentic and quiet reflection;

1. To become fully aware of how you want to grow personally,
2. To meaningfully aim toward what you next want to do professionally
3. To maintain needed balance and a sense you are steering the ship of your life
4. To prepare you to heighten and enrich your leadership abilities with the goal to secure a position that is a high-quality match for you.

Successful Professional Networking-Refining Your Brand (May 17, 2022)

Focus on the benefits of using LinkedIn as a tool for networking and professional development in preparation for your transition to a new position. Learn the advantages, disadvantages, available features, and identify additional resources such as O*Net Online, Jobs can, and Reputation Management, with resources for free training and strategies to examine and update your social media profile.

Surviving Relational Challenges "Dare to Prepare" (May 26, 2022)

Discover alternative strategies to cope with, and respond to, workplace conflicts and aggression from superiors and peers that can damage relationships and/or professional status. Develop proactive and reactive strategies to manage and learn from these challenging situations.Examine and preserve agreed-upon work plan and goals, and ensure current and future identified workplace protections.

RESOURCES

Ambassador Application

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Participants Application
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Visit the NFBPA Career Center for new job opportunities
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MIT Facebook Page
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MIT LinkedIn Page
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Related Websites
Government Resource
ELGL Jobs
Careers In Government
The Novak Consulting Group
Institute For Excellence (i4x)
i4x Linkedin

For more information please contact:
James G. Gaston II
mit.nfbpa@gmail.com

James D. Gaston, III
jamesgaston3@ beyondthebottomlineii .com
202.810.3134

ARTICLES

Radical Listening in Leadership
You’ve probably heard the quote by Greek philosopher Epictetus, who said, “We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak.” Listening is difficult to master no matter the industry. In local government, listening is an essential skill for developing relationships, making and executing decisions, resolving conflicts, effectively communicating, and shaping culture. Admittedly, it can be hard to know where to start, especially with the intensity of daily operations, the fast pace we are often required to move, and the efficiency we strive to strike....

Winning While in Transition
Navigating the public sector job market can be challenging for employees between jobs. Still, it's important to remember that every moment presents opportunities for forward progression, despite appearances. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, "If you can't fly, then run; if you can't run, then walk; if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."...

Recruiting CEOs in Public Transit
The nation’s growth and the need to meet mobility, environmental, and energy objectives place demands on public transit systems. Current systems, some of which are old and in need of upgrading, must expand service area, increase service frequency, and improve efficiency to serve these demands. Research is necessary to solve operating problems...

LinkedIn Groups: Communities for Professionals
LinkedIn Groups give professionals a shared space to connect with and learn from others who share their goals. In the new version of Groups, it is now easier than ever to play a more active role in these communities...

How to Use LinkedIn Search More Effectively to Improve Your Job Search
These LinkedIn search tips will help you broaden the scope of you job search, and find targeted leads. Here's how to use them!

ARE: Approach, Results, Experience
We ARE truly all creatures of habit. Leaders consistently rely on proven approaches and techniques to maneuver through the challenges of running complex organizations. Understanding the wiring diagram of the approaches that leaders use in managing their organizations are critical in making a decision on whether or not they will lead your organization. Using ARE allows you to determine how your prospective candidate for the position approaches issues in four key ARE...

Making Interviews Work for You
Interviews are not a normal conversation. During an interview, we normally have no way to know where the conversation is going or what issues will be covered. It is not quite the inquisition, but...

LinkedIn Professional Branding Playbook
Your LinkedIn identity starts here.

So You Want to Quit...
How many times have u wanted to say, "Enough is enough!" "Take this job and shove it". Maybe it was just a response to anger, stress, frustration, and angst in the heat of the moment. Maybe it was...

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Justina Jones
Skilled, performance-based and collaborative servant-leader with experience guiding and supporting organizations and communities through change and growth.

Mitchell Archer II
Experienced professional with expertise in program and project implementation. Effective communicator with the ability to work with diverse groups. Adept at critical decision management, strategic planning skills, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver results on time and under budget.

Lacy DeBerry
Experienced HR and DEI leader with 25+ years of expertise in employee relations, staff development, and organizational strategy. Proven ability to foster inclusive workplaces, implement leadership training, and drive impactful initiatives within public and private sectors.

Tamara C. Daniels
Experienced professional with expertise in compliance, operations, and project management. Adept at strategic planning, regulatory adherence, and team leadership to drive efficiency and organizational success