Office of the Comptroller

Constantly working to improve operations and efficiencies within the comptroller's office is one of Comptroller Darlene Green's standing directives to her staff. The Young Managers Group was created with precisely that goal in mind.

This effort was started by Elaine Spearman, the comptroller's chief staffing officer and legal advisor, to give the office's young, middle managers, a formal platform to discuss efficiencies and operational improvements. To qualify, employees must be 45 years old or younger, or have three years or less of managerial experience in the comptroller's office. The group meets monthly to share ideas and discuss how to do things better in their own sections and throughout the comptroller's office, in both specific and general terms.

"Tapping into the experiences and ideas of our younger managers is exciting," said Spearman. "This will hopefully open doors and start the discussion on new, better ways of doing things throughout the comptroller's office."

The group's members: Robin Jones, Gateway Transportation Center manager; Judy Armstrong, interim Municipal Garage manager; Brenda Pierce, accounting supervisor; and Amy Williams, payroll manager, were eager to start the process and offer ideas. They all want to work together and be a part of affecting positive change.

Spearman conceded that change does not come easy and it will take a combined effort, from the comptroller on down, to act on the group's ideas.

"This is how any organization moves forward. It takes ideas and planning and the will to implement change," added Spearman. "But in the end, the hope is we will have a better office environment and operate more efficiently and effectively on behalf of the taxpayers."