Orange County NC Website
Page 2 of 3 Quinton Harper <br />Boards/Commissions applied for: <br />Fmr. Board of Directors, Orange Water & Sewer Authority <br />Supplemental Questions: <br />Orange Water & Sewer Authority Board of Directors <br />Background, education and experience relevant to this board: <br />I previously served, successfully, on OWASA s Board of Directors. As a result of my <br />time/presence/service to the OWASA Board of Directors, I obtained significant institutional <br />knowledge, built significant relationships with staff and current/former Board of Directors, and <br />know the issues and work related to the Organization and serving on the Board of Directors. <br />In particular, in my 2+ years of service, I helped navigate OWASA through budget cycles, <br />consideration of rate increases, relevant issues like fluoride, and community engagement, and <br />worked to increase effective and efficient relationships between Board, staff leadership and <br />staff. In my time at OWASA, we somewhat successfully shifted the Organization s culture to <br />being more engaging of the community; to being more transparent, responsive and supportive of <br />ALL staff, esp. hourly/non-senior staff; and to being more attentive to issues of equity and <br />diversity. <br />Where I didn t so much have the technical knowledge related to managing a water and sewer <br />authority, I worked to cultivate relationships with staff and board members who could be a <br />resource in facilitating that learning. <br />Beyond that, my expertise as a community organizer and advocate lends itself to serving as a <br />voice of representation for those perspectives, identities and communities not traditionally <br />represented at the table/board room. <br />Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: <br />After having served my term, I promised the staff and Directors that I would return. I believe <br />there will be a seat coming available, and I want to provide continuity and continue the <br />accountability, transparency and representation that that seat carries and represents. <br />Conflict of Interest: <br />No. <br />Orange Water & Sewer Authority Board of Directors <br />Please list/explain your experience, either professionally and/or from other <br />boards/commissions that you have in the areas of budget, personnel, and management. <br />Budget: helped facilitate OWASA s budget cycle and process of approval for 2 years; served on <br />the Carrboro Human Services Board and advised Alderpeople on how/where to allocate portion <br />of town s budget; worked to build, approve and implement budgets for moderate sized non- <br />profits; <br />Personnel and Management: worked to adjust OWASA s HR, personnel and management <br />policies to make the Organization more supportive of hourly and non-Senior staff; accomplished <br />utilizing a consultant to access, evaluate and implement employee organizational survey and <br />new employee performance review policy. <br />In addition to the experience listed in the question above, please list the work/volunteer <br />experience/qualifications that would add to your expertise for this board. <br />I believe my community involvement with the NAACP, service on local boards in Carrboro, and <br />role as an advocate/organizer lend itself to being a gatekeeper and trusted leader in the <br />community. I will continue to work to ensure that the community is informed/educated about <br />decision-making, has an opportunity to engage with OWASA, and that the organization <br />16