Christine Frost

 

125 Cunningham Pond Road, Warner, NH 03278

603-620-1863(cell)

 CFrostNH@gmail.com

 

Highly accomplished leader, executive director, and federal economic development executive with nearly 20 years of progressively expanding experience. Entrusted with leading diverse teams while reporting to four state Governors and a presidential appointee, managing grant appropriations as large as $25M. Proven capacity to orchestrate program operations and workforce development in alignment with strategic goals, objectives of multiple state governments, and congressional directives. Sterling reputation among federal, state, and local officials as strategic thinker, problem solver, and advisor on federal economic development programs and policies. Now poised to leverage broad strategic perspective, proven executive leadership, and technical and programmatic experience to meet the most daunting challenges facing communities and organization.

 

RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Principal • Wollrath Consulting, LLC, Warner, NH                                                                January 2020 - Present

Established Wollrath Consulting in order to provide consultation to communities and organizations who have bold visions but need assistance in bringing those visions into focus.

 

Selected Areas of Expertise

 

Program Management - Executive Leadership - Inter-agency Partnerships - Executive Development & Mentoring - Regional Economic Development Planning - Financial, Resource & Grant Management - Communication/Mentoring - Process Improvement - Policy Development

 

Program Director • Northern Border Regional Commission, Concord, NH      November 2015 – November 2019

Executive Oversight & Program Management: Directed the development, implementation, and monitoring of grant programs in a nascent congressionally established federal-state partnership among Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and the federal government to assist rural areas in adjusting to the collapse of the paper industry. Provided technical and programmatic oversight of the programs and processes of Local Development Districts (LDD) (statutory equivalent of EDA’s Economic Development Districts). Supervised financial assistance programs, facilitating grant applications and managing awards while providing expertise and insight to ensure program effectiveness. Oversaw the implementation of infrastructure projects, including water and wastewater management, telecommunications, job training, and other initiatives to generate economic growth for rural communities. Supervised office operations, ensuring staff efforts incorporated organizational priorities and strategic objectives. Directed software and infrastructure procurement and managed $20M in appropriations.

Results-Focused Customer Service/Process Improvement: Identified a key business process that was manual, time-consuming, and did not comply with federal requirements. Seeking to improve both customer support and efficiency, created a new process to receive, organize, and manage more than 150 grant applications annually. Researched enabling legislation, consulted with congressional and oversight staff, and hired a software developer to create a program to process grant applications and apply member-state scoring and priorities as well as NBRC goals and directives. Wrote all related documentation and grant publications and solicited input from customers/stakeholders to ensure accountability and transparency. As a result, fielded a user-friendly system that facilitated public access to grant funds and enabled project execution in alignment with federal law/regulations.

Communication & Interagency Coordination: Provided trusted advice to congressional staff on potential impacts to the organization of proposed regulatory changes. Built and maintained relationships with key individuals and regional organizations in order to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders. Communicated with diverse audiences, including senior officials, subordinates, interagency partners, and members of the community. Wrote and submitted budget justifications and annual reports to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress. Supervised the development of program outreach material, online application process, and scoring metrics, in accordance with federal guidelines.

Human Capital Management & Development: Grew the organization from a one-person operation by recruiting, interviewing, and hiring four staff members to carry out the office’s programmatic and administrative functions. Mentored and coached personnel in the performance of their duties, fostering professional development. Embodied and enforced the highest professional and ethical standards in addressing technical, human relations, and organizational matters.

Selected Accomplishments and Key Results:

• Represented NBRC and its federal Co-chair at the September 2019 White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

• Coordinated with EDA legal counsel to establish and administer the protocols and processes to award $3M in congressional appropriations to EDA.

• Developed and implemented the State Capacity Grant program in coordination with state staff and in accordance with 2018 reauthorization legislation.

• Engaged directly with Members of Congress and their staffs to enable NBRC to continue its mission in the absence of a federal Co-chair, securing authorization under Public Law 115-141 (March 23, 2018) to assume the Co-chair’s authority.

• Wrote, signed, and obligated 54 grant awards worth more than $21M in Fiscal Year 2019.

• Spearheaded coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency to establish the National Recreation Economy Partnership, providing eight NBRC communities with the planning support necessary to make outdoor recreation a viable and prominent economic sector.

• Created a comprehensive monitoring and compliance program for NBRC investments.

 

Executive Director • North Country Council, Littleton, NH                                           March 2014 – January 2016

Executive Leadership & Program Management: Supervised a 12-person staff and directed an independent organization serving 52 municipalities and 3 counties as well as numerous organizations, developing solutions to shared regional land-use issues. Managed $1M in resources and directed day-to-day and long-term staff operations, ensuring alignment with organizational strategic objectives. Provided expert technical and programmatic oversight of financial assistance and economic development programs.

Organizational Change: Led the council and seven tenant organizations through the sale of a historic and iconic building that had become prohibitively expensive to operate due to long-deferred maintenance issues, driving up the organization’s debt and jeopardizing the council’s fiscal integrity. Developed a strategy, overcame internal resistance to change through extensive communication with stakeholders, and negotiated the sale of the building and internal assets. Orchestrated the move of the organization. As a result, changed a long-standing issue that impacted the budget (and thus the entire program), improved operational efficiency by reducing unnecessary expenses, and enhanced the council’s reputation by demonstrating a commitment to prioritizing service to municipalities.

Financial Management: Revamped a disorganized and unsustainable financial accounting system that tracked $1M in program funding, informing the Board of Directors as to the scale of the problem and the plan to move forward. Researched and procured software, implemented improved financial controls, and hired a consultant to train new accounting staff in a process that adhered to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. As a result, increased accountability and financial management transparency, improving the timeliness of billing and invoicing and enabling the organization to achieve positive cashflow without need for bridge loans.

Team Building & Leadership Development: Challenged to guide nine Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs) with a combined membership of 400 commissioners in order to reinforce their connection to their mission and capitalize on their leadership potential. Established a forum to build a stronger sense of teamwork and shared purpose and to provide training, peer integration, networking, policy development, and mutual support. Overcame initial reticence from a small number of RPC members and potential conflict by clearly demonstrating benefits that justified the effort and securing a high-profile keynote speaker. Organized and hosted a well-received event for 70 representatives of nine RPCs and delivered valuable training on relevant statutes, policies, and funding opportunities. As a result, fostered increased engagement on the part of board members, freeing up RPC executive directors to focus on other issues and increasing RPC capacity, which in turn enhanced responsiveness and improved service to local communities.

Communication & Coordination: Served as council spokesperson, representing the organization at high-level meetings and interagency coordination forums. Collaborated with RPC’s, state and local governments, and other stakeholders on all aspects of planning, including transportation, hazard mitigation, housing, natural resource management, and economic development. Oversaw public relations and internal and external communications, ensuring alignment of organizational messaging with strategic vision and priorities. Fostered, developed, and maintained relationships with senior staffs and executives of partner organizations. Communicated in diverse settings with a wide variety of stakeholders, including senior officials, Members of Congress, and residents. Coordinated with representatives of member municipalities to create and implement economic development programs and policies.

Selected Accomplishments and Key Results:

• Directed the identification, analysis, and prioritization of natural and man-made threats to area businesses in order to mitigate economic losses and minimize recovery time following disasters. Determined that 33% of the area’s small businesses could only afford to stay closed for two days in a program that earned the National Association of Development Organization’s Innovation Award.

• Implemented cost control measures that reduced the council’s debt from $480K to $160K in less than two years.

• Realigned the board of the Dartmouth Regional Technology Center, enabling it to create more than 300 new jobs in start-up companies and generate $400M in outside investment capital.

 

Executive Director • Upper Valley Lake Sunapee RPC, Lebanon, NH                               June 2007 – March 2014

Executive Leadership & Program Management: Led a 10-person staff in one of nine Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs) in the state of New Hampshire responsible for providing planning and community development assistance to 27 municipalities. Managed $1+M in resources and synchronized staff efforts, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and priorities. Directed, coordinated, and monitored technical and financial assistance programs, overseeing day-to-day operations and long-term program management. Provided authoritative expertise and insight to ensure program effectiveness.

Human Capital Management: Recruited, hired, and trained personnel to build a diverse team of technical and administrative experts capable of evaluating and monitoring development proposals and activities. Coached and mentored subordinates, fostering a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and personal growth. As a result, doubled the size of the staff over three years.

Communication & Collaboration: Built and nurtured constructive relationships with key partners, stakeholders, senior staff, and executives to foster communication and collaboration. Represented the commission as spokesperson, addressing diverse audiences ranging from senior officials to subordinates and members of the public. Ensured messaging supported and aligned with strategic goals and objectives. Facilitated the flow of information to board members and municipal representatives. Collaborated with partner agencies and officials on the full spectrum of community planning functions including hazard mitigation, transportation, housing, natural resource management, and economic development.

Selected Accomplishments and Key Results:

• Wrote the only two grants in the state that received funding in the first round of the federal Sustainable Communities Initiative, which funded only 3% of applications nationwide.

• Spearheaded expansion of the annual budget from $480K to $1.2M in four years.

• Led commission marketing, increasing the number of dues-paying municipalities by 30%.

 

Planning Coordinator • North Country Council, Bethlehem, NH                                    January 2001 –June 2007

• Responsible for development of a natural resource division and economic development projects within the organization. Developed and coordinated multi-party project strategies that lead to implementation of regional projects. Created new relationships with professionals and community volunteers.

• Responsible for work plan for employees and hire, train and supervise employees within the division. Project development and funding through grant writing and administration. Decided upon direction of planner’s workload and worked in partnership with other Coordinator at the Council.

• Managed the financing and construction of the Dartmouth Regional Technology Center, a 60K square foot lab biotech business incubator facility connected with Dartmouth College and Medical School Research and Development that has been instrumental in creating over forty new businesses.

• Managed plan development and writing for: All-Hazard and Wildfire Mitigation Planning, Regional Natural Resource Plan. Constructed new Fire Hazard Mitigation Assessment using GIS. Built upon solid waste programs that serve the region. 

 

Internships at various agencies while attending University:                                                                      1998– 2001

• Vermont Act 250 Environmental Board District Office– Deed research project to connect land use patterns to the logging industry.

• Forest, Parks and Recreation Office, 2 years – Created a land digest, GPS public lands, created an outline of public lands for general public use including geo-referenced pictures, GIS maps, directions, history, and acquisition information.

• Agency of Natural Resources – Coordinated recycling efforts, established new waste stream analysis.

 

Research, grant writer • St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, St. Johnsbury, VT                                                    1996-1998

$2m project for climate controls for artwork and restoration of the Athenaeum, a National Historic Landmark.

 

Administration • Financial Aid Office University of Vermont, Burlington, VT                                        1989–1996

Responsible for office coordination, consulted students on financial aid options.

 

Assistant Manager various retail businesses                                                                                               1984– 1989

(Pier I Imports, The Children’s Place, Westminster Lace)

Hire, train and manage staff ranging from 5-35 employees, responsible for all financial reporting.

 

EDUCATION and CERTIFICATIONS

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• Currently enrolled - International Women’s Design Course with Advanced Training in Social, Emotional, and Cultural Transformation

• June 2017 - October 2019 - Management Concepts - Grants Management Certificate ProgramTM is the industry standard for comprehensive professional education in the grants field. Certification in both Federal Track and Pass-Through Track.

• April 2016 - Permaculture Design Certification

• January 2006, 2007 - Classes leading toward master’s degree in Planning at Plymouth State University.

• September 2005, 2006 - First recipient of the President’s Award, at North Country Council.

• March 2005 - Certificate from UNH Center for Graduate &Professional Studies and New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association

• June 2003 - New Hampshire Professional Certification Program in Economic Development, New Hampshire Economic Development Association 

• September 2001 - Certificate from National Trust for Historic Preservation for MainStreet101 training in Washington, DC

• Spring 2001 - Bachelor of Science, Resource Economics, University of Vermont • Burlington, VT

• May 1981 - St. Johnsbury Academy, National Honor Society, St. Johnsbury, VT

 

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES

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• Current: Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund Advisory Committee

• Current: Founding member of Root To Rise, a nonprofit permaculture educational organization

• Speaker at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, New England Smart Growth Leadership Forum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

• Recipient of the inaugural Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Grants in 2010; the only two awards received in NH both written by UVLSRPC (less than 4% awarded nationwide)

• Past: Board of Directors for the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

• Past: Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority.

• Past: Advisory Committee, Vermont Rural Ventures

• Past: Healthy Eating Active Living Initiative Leadership Council

• Past: Advisory Council for the New Hampshire Endowment for Health

• Increased budget of the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission from $480K in 2008 to $1.2M in 2011. 

• Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Document author. In a letter to the NCC Board of Directors, Tyrone L. Beach, Chief Capacity Division Director at the US Dept of Commerce, Economic

  • Development Administration Philadelphia Regional Office said, “We commend the work of the NCC Principal Planner, Christine Walker, and the CEDS Committee to revise the Evaluation section an addendum to the Council’s 2003 CEDS that will now be used as a model.”

• Responsible for/assisted in bringing nearly $9M in grant funding to the North Country, and over $900,000 to North Country Council in new contracts.

• Former Board of Directors, Passumpsic Valley Land Trust, Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

• Developed Regional Heritage Initiative through the National Trust for Historic Preservation, became one of four potential national demonstration pilots funded through the Kellogg Foundation.