Experience

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  The Bernardi Group LLC

  • Washington, District of Columbia, United States

  • President

    • Jan 2009 - Present
    • Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    The Bernardi Group LLC. offers expertise, counsel, and advice to companies and organizations seeking guidance in identifying federal, state, and municipal business opportunities nationwide. We provide clients across various industries with ethical public affairs strategies that articulate identi...

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  CohnReznick LLP

  • Washington, District of Columbia, United States

  • Senior Advisor

    • Jan 2013 - Jun 2016
    • Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Provided guidance and support in identifying and managing federal, state, and municipal business opportunities for CohnReznick nationwide. CohnReznick professionals are highly experienced and specially trained in the audit, operations, processes, regulations, and reporting requirements of public...

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  cgi

  • Washington, District of Columbia, United States

  • Vice President of Government Relations

    • Mar 2009 - Nov 2011
    • Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Managed CGI Federal’s advisory services and government relations teams in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world. CGI delivers end-to-end services and solutions, including strategic IT and business consulting, systems inte...

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  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

  • United States
  • Government Administration
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Deputy Secretary

    • Dec 2004 - Dec 2008

    Appointed by the President, Deputy Secretary Bernardi managed HUD's day-to-day operations, a nearly $38 billion annual operating budget, and the agency's 8500 employees.

  • Acting Secretary

    • Apr 2008 - Jun 2008

    Appointed by the President, and a member of his Cabinet, advised the President on housing issues, created and implemented policy, and oversaw all programs in the Department.

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  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

  • Washington, District of Columbia, United States

  • Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development

    • Jul 2001 - Nov 2004
    • Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Nominated by the President on June 24, 2004 and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on November 21, 2004, Assistant Secretary Bernardi developed viable communities by promoting integrated solutions to the challenges facing the nation's cities, urban counties, and rural communiti...

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  City of Syracuse

  • United States
  • Government Administration
  • 500 - 600 Employee

  • Mayor

    • Jan 1994 - Jul 2001

    Elected to two terms as the 51st Mayor of the City of Syracuse, New York, Mayor Bernardi overhauled municipal financial services, eliminated duplicative departmental functions and streamlined governmental operations, resulting in significant annual budget savings. Maintaining his commitment to right-sizing municipal government and eliminating intergovernmental duplication, Mayor Bernardi became the first Mayor in the Northeastern United States to contractually merge a large city police department with those of suburban small villages, allowing for increased services and significant cost savings. A promoter of urban neighborhoods, Mayor Bernardi implemented a number of new initiatives to improve the quality of life within Syracuse. Along with the men and women of the Syracuse Police Department, Mayor Bernardi worked to bring the number of violent crimes to their lowest levels in the 1990s. With the Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs, Mayor Bernardi expanded opportunities for young people by initiating after-school tutoring programs, offering new recreational activities and summer camps, and equipping neighborhood community centers with computers. To reduce slum and blight in Syracuse, Mayor Bernardi launched a nationally-recognized slum landlord program that used aggressive code enforcement to target chronic offenders and implemented a first-of-its kind landlord training and assistance program to clean-up neighborhood eyesores. Mayor Bernardi aggressively courted new employers to the Greater Syracuse area. Downtown Syracuse witnessed significant revitalization under the pro-growth policies of the Bernardi Administration by successful attracting major employees to downtown Syracuse and reopening many of the once shuttered storefronts throughout the center city.

  • City Auditor

    • Jan 1974 - Dec 1993

    Elected to multiple terms as Syracuse City Auditor, Mr. Bernardi sought to advance open and accountable government through accurate, independent, and objective audits and investigations that sought to improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of City government.

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  Liverpool School District

  • Liverpool, New York, United States

  • Guidance Counselor

    • Jan 1971 - Dec 1973
    • Liverpool, New York, United States

    The Liverpool Public School District has a long history of providing an excellent educational environment for nearly 6,900 students, of which 84 percent pursue higher education. The district offers a wide range of programs and services, including honors and Advanced Placement courses, cutting-edg...

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  Liverpool Public School District

  • Liverpool, New York, United States

  • Spanish Teacher

    • Jan 1966 - Dec 1970
    • Liverpool, New York, United States

    The Liverpool Public School District has a long history of providing an excellent educational environment for nearly 6,900 students, of which 84 percent pursue higher education. The district offers a wide range of programs and services, including honors and Advanced Placement courses, cutting-edg...