Public Policy Analysis and Strategic Positioning of Organizations
Intergovernmental Relations and Government Affairs
Ray Associate’s principals and consultants have extensive experience assisting clients address public policy issues. This experience includes prior positions in local, state, and federal governments and private sector experience involving the contract management of governmental enterprises. (Click here for biographical information.)
Public Policy Analysis and Strategic Positioning of Organizations.
Clients of Ray Associates call on the firm in times of change to assist in understanding the potential impacts of new public policies and preparing an organization to address change issues.
Public Policy Analysis and Strategic Positioning of Organizations
Clients of Ray Associates call on the firm in times of change to assist in understanding the potential impacts of new public policies and preparing an organization to address change issues.
Jim Ray is the Ray Associates team lead on engagements that analysis of public policy issues and making recommendations on how our clients may be affected.
Examples include a study on the ways to affect how federal funds are used in a state; recommendations on ways for regional councils of governments to respond to legislative attempts to take over staffing and governance decisions.
Public Policy Analysis
Ray Associates provides a research base for organizations that expect to be impacted by changes in public policy or significant public policy decisions.
Examples of our work include: municipal annexation analysis of service requirements and fiscal impacts; identification of disaster preparedness response and recovery resources; development of strategic directions for regional organizations; review of state constitutional revision and its impacts on local governments; and identification of organizational and financial models for regional habitat conservation plans.
Strategic Positioning
Advice and counsel from Ray Associates assists clients in positioning their organization to take advantage of political and economic changes.
Examples of our work include: strategic planning for a major water utility firm’s expansion into a new metropolitan market; counsel to a national engineering firm on water planning markets; positioning municipal utility districts for municipal annexation; recommendations on board – staff effectiveness for a multi-county workforce organization; and preparation of alternatives for merging community mental health organizations.
Public Policy Implementation
Clients call on Ray Associates to assist in implementing plans designed to increase effectiveness in times of change. Often following strategic research and positioning assignments, these services include preparation of implementation plans, schedules, and documents; briefings for internal and external participants; assistance in negotiations, and representation.
Examples of our work include: preparation of action plans and implementation schedules; preparation of public testimony; conduct of staff briefings and implementation assistance; public testimony; and expert witness testimony.
Organizational Development
Ray Associates assists organizations facing new business environments and management changes.
Organizational Studies
Ray Associates’ clients find it necessary from time to time to adjust their organizational structures in order to make the best use of human talent and to lead or respond to change. The firm assists through organization studies and recommendations. Typically, this work includes recommended structural, management, and governance changes.
Examples of our work include: management review of a statewide insurance organization; fire and police department reorganizations; executive management structure, reporting relationships, and executive compensation for a major metropolitan county; municipal organization and staffing plans; and organizational analysis and staffing plans for statewide governmental associations.
Executive Search
The conduct of searches for executive- and management-level talent is a service that Ray Associates provides to its clients. We like to work with organizations where we have an in-depth understanding of their culture, work ethics, and executive leadership. As a result, many of our executive search assignments are for clients with whom we have a multi-year, ongoing relationship.
Examples of our services include: executive search and placement services for river authorities; for a smaller community mayor in a search for a city manager; for a state parks and wildlife agency; for a regional council of governments; and for a statewide educational intergovernmental risk pool.
For more information on our Executive Searches click here.
Intergovernmental Relations and Government Affairs
Intergovernmental Services
Faced with an intergovernmental landscape where multiple levels and types of governments are often involved in the success of major public and private ventures, Ray Associates’ clients often call on the firm to assist in working through the matrix of governmental entities whose participation is essential to a project’s success.
Examples of our services include: identification of development approvals preceding municipal annexations; identification of intergovernmental economic development programs; analysis of the impact of federal government policy changes on state and local organizations.
Government Affairs
A senior principal in Ray Associates is available to provide direct representation for clients before governmental agencies and governing bodies. This work is typically tied to ongoing consulting relationships and common values regarding public policy issues.
Examples of representation engagements include: monitoring of legislative proposals; developing legislative policies for statewide organizations; providing advocacy testimony; monitoring legislative appropriations; and monitoring state agencies’ proposed policies and actions that may impact client organizations.