Ron Irvine

1224 Calvin S.E. ~ Grand Rapids, MI  49506 ~ (616) 485-2860

See Career Portfolio: resume.ronirvine.net for details

Email: ron@ronirvine.net

 

 

 

Professional Profile (Values)

 

Ø      Attitude of seeking continuous improvement, personal mastery, and organizational quality through professional development and team learning.

Ø      Community-orientation: embracing diversity, cross-sector collaboration, systems thinking.

Ø      Develop leadership (self-advocacy) in people that have yet to develop a voice.

Ø      Strong desire to see all people become interdependent, productive, self-determined, and self-sufficient citizens and leaders in their community, reaching their full potential.

Ø      Servant leader with open mind, open heart, open hands.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

§  Experienced in workforce and career development

 

§  Experience in grant writing process for federal and local funding

 

§  Developed and facilitated steering committees and community councils

 

§  Facilitated cross-sector collaborative decision-making

 

§  Mapping and coordinating community resources

§  Implemented strategic planning processes

 

§  Developed processes for quality management

 

§  Group facilitation skills

 

§  Outstanding interpersonal skills

 

§  Proven leadership skills

 

§  Leadership development skills

 

§  Presentation skills

§  Collaborative team player

 

§  Vigilant customer focus

 

§  Creative solution provider

 

§  Strategic systems thinker

 

§  Flexible and adaptive

 

§  Entrepreneurial thinking and skills

 

§  Competent Computer Skills

 

 

Professional History (Master’s Level)

 

4/06 to present

Ron Irvine D.B.A. Career Development Services

(Realizing Potential, Developing Capacity in Community and Individuals)

Independent Consultant

Providing services in career development, leadership development, and case management to people with a wide variety of challenges (economic and disability).

1/04 to 9/06

Contracted by MI Department of Education through Ionia County Intermediate School District, assigned to Kent Intermediate School District

MiConnections Coordinator of Kent County

Piloted statewide project to improve outcomes for youth with disabilities through research-based best practices (see project management experience)

 

 

Project Management Experience

 

MiConnections Project

 

§  Coordinated the development and implementation of the MiConnections project as a model for the state: a systems change, collaborative initiative to improve outcomes for youth with disabilities using research-based effective practices

§  Developed and implemented strategic planning process county-wide to enhance, align, and resource services to youth as a model for the state to improve transition outcomes; utilizing strategic tools such as environmental scanning, community mapping, collaborative cross-sector decision-making, data analysis, identifying strengths/gaps, project management, and long/short term goal setting

§  Developed and facilitated a Local Steering Council representing students, parents, education, government agencies, and community-based organizations; to expand resources, direction, and decision-making capacity and sustainability

 

JAM (Jobs, Awareness, Motivation) Student Transition Conference

As co-chair of the Kent County Community Transition Council (a collaborative of Kent County nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and schools supporting youth with disabilities), I coordinated the JAM Student Transition Conference for four years from 2002-2005. Through coordinating 25 volunteers in four work groups, we brought together over 450 youth with disabilities and over 100 volunteers from over 30 schools to hear choice topics on careers and life issues presented by over 45 speakers from business and industry, health care, government, education, and community-based organizations.

 

 

 

Professional History (Bachelor’s Level)

 

Employment Training Specialist: Grand Rapids Public Schools Special Education

Senior Child Care Counselor: Bethany Christian Services (Residential Treatment Homes)

Youth Treatment Specialist: Wedgwood Christian Youth and Family Services

Evening Supervisor: Degage Ministries

 

 

 

Education

 

Ø      Master of Management Degree from Aquinas School of Graduate Management (2002)

Ø      Career Development Facilitator Certification class from Ferris State University (6 credits: Master’s level in 2001)

Ø      Employment Training Specialist Certification from Michigan State University (1994)

Ø      Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Cornerstone University (1981)

Ø      Special education courses from Grand Valley State University: