closed #153923
Other
- Case Date:
- 7/6/2016
Dear Mayor Hamilton, I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. It was a pleasure to meet you to discuss possible opportunities with your administration. I enjoyed our discussions very much and wanted to take the time to send you a thoughtful note following our meeting. You mentioned the need for strong project management. Many of the projects I've worked on over the years entail various moving pieces that all happen simultaneously, and/or require forethought on how to structure implementation in order to keep things moving. My references will be happy to share with you in detail about complex project we've worked on together. With regards to competency and writing skills, I graduated #1 in my Masters program at Valparaiso University with a 3.87 grade point average. Furthermore, the professors inducted me into the Atheneaum Honor Society for my demonstrated leadership, charter and academic performance. Following graduation in May 2011, I became an adjunct instructor at Valparaiso University School of Business School beginning that Fall semester. In addition to municipal experience, my professional portfolio over the years includes extensive engagement in smart cities and emerging/advanced markets, particularly in regions of the world who are at the forefront of next generation infrastructure, advanced markets and cities of the future in these areas (i.e., Amsterdam, Finland, Estonia). I regularly publish articles for various media sources on these topics, such as a recent piece on Smart Cities and the Age of Urban Tech. I was also interviewed in Forbes last year. If you would like additional published works/writing samples, I'd be happy to send more your way. As discussed, I've built a strong network of global thought leaders in smart cities and emerging tech industries. As a result, I often receive invitations to conferences and/or asked to speak on panels at workshops around the world. Most recently, I was invited to the smart cities in Nice, France http://www.tmforumlive.org/agenda_category/smart-city-live/ and the New Cities Summit in Montreal- http://www.newcitiessummit2016.org/ . There are additional upcoming conferences I've received invitations to, and hope to have the opportunity to attend. Speaking of which, I was unable to travel to Europe or Vegas these two weeks in July, so I am around and available to meet again. The opportunities highlighted appear to be in sync with your vision for the tech park and trade district, among other priorities for your administration. I welcome the opportunity to learn more about your priorities and how you envision balancing the interests/needs of your constituents while laying the foundation to set up Bloomington for success in the future. Thank you again for your time and consideration. It was an honor to meet you, I look forward to hearing from you. Just for fun, attached is a photo I took with John Kerry while working on his campaign back in 2004! Respectfully, Lauren E. Riga