presents

Chief Financial Officer

Saint Paul Port Authority

Ballinger | Leafblad is proud to present the following information on behalf of our

client, Saint Paul Port Authority, in its search for a Chief Financial Officer.

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 presenting our client
Saint Paul Port Authority
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
The Saint Paul Port Authority is an economic development agency with a statewide reach. Within the
City of Saint Paul, the Port Authority manages four river terminals. The organization also serves as an
extension of the city’s economic development team by
supporting industrial redevelopment, growing the tax base
and creating opportunities for low barrier to entry jobs.
Statewide, the Port Authority is the primary source for
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing and offers
its economic development services to other public and
private agencies through its Port Consulting program.

The organization was formed as a direct result of a

decision by the U.S. Congress in the 1920s to dredge a 9-foot channel in the Mississippi River
between Saint Paul and New Orleans. The Minnesota Legislature established the Saint Paul
Port Authority (SPPA) as a nonprofit government agency in 1929 to manage the Saint Paul
Harbor.

The city transferred Terminal 1 to the Saint Paul Port Authority in 1932 and the Port began
managing the commodities transfer throughout 2.1 miles of the Saint Paul Harbor. The Port
continues to manage four Mississippi River terminals that serve as a commodities hub for
grain, oil seeds, fertilizers, scrap steel, coal and gravel, among other things. Minnesota’s
inland water transportation industry directly generates more than 1,200 jobs and nearly $5
million in payroll taxes to the federal and state governments.

In 1955, the Legislature

authorized the Port to engage
in economic development
activities inland. Today, the
Port has 21 business centers,
including the four terminals.

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 presenting our client
Saint Paul Port Authority
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Over its nearly 83-year history, the Port has
redeveloped more than two square miles of
Saint Paul into productive and prosperous
jobs centers. That’s 3 ½ times the size of
downtown Saint Paul. For their part,
private businesses have invested nearly
$200 million in Saint Paul neighborhoods
since 1995 as a result of Port Authority
redevelopment projects.

Today SPPA projects generate more than $33 million a year in real estate and personal property tax
revenue. To be sure, the Port Authority is a redeveloper of land, but its projects provide good-paying
jobs throughout the city. At this time, 555 companies employing nearly 25,000 people operate in the
Port’s 21 inner-city business centers.

GOVERNANCE

The Saint Paul Port Authority is managed by a 7-member Board of Commissioners. The
Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Saint Paul to six-year terms. Two
members of the Saint Paul City Council sit on the Board.

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 presenting our client
Saint Paul Port Authority
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SAINT PAUL PORT AUTHORITY
The Saint Paul Port Authority takes public input and provides
the following services:

Commercial Redevelopment
The Saint Paul Port Authority purchases polluted, blighted
properties in the City of Saint Paul that the commercial real
estate community won’t touch. It then does the work needed
to clean up the pollution and return the land for light industrial use. This results in new jobs
at a living wage with benefits and significant increases in tax revenues going back to the City
of Saint Paul.

Harbor Management
The Saint Paul Port Authority owns and manages four ports located along the Mississippi
River in Saint Paul. Their goal is to protect the integrity of the working river, which has been
a long-time contributor to Saint Paul’s economy.

Energy Financing
SPPA manages two energy saving finance programs that help businesses state-wide –
MinnPACE and Trillion BTU. Both programs help commercial business owners make
investments that significantly lower their energy usage with a finance option that in most
cases is more than covered by the amount saved on utilities.

Port Consulting
Port Consulting brings the knowledge and expertise of a 20-person economic development
team to cities and counties across the State of Minnesota. The goal is to help a community
meet its commercial real estate goals through customized services including:
1. Creating achievable economic development goals for the site
2. Remediating brownfield properties
3. Evaluating the best use for commercial properties
4. Identifying market opportunities
5. Attracting and retaining the “right” businesses
6. Diversifying industries and economic base
7. Increasing living wage jobs and tax base
8. Reaching qualified buyers and sellers through enhanced brokerage services

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 presenting our client
Saint Paul Port Authority
MISSION
The Saint Paul Port Authority creates quality job opportunities,
expands the tax base and advances sustainable development.

VALUES/PRINCIPLES

SPPA GOALS
To improve people’s lives by building vibrant economic communities
To be the premier economic development entity in the country

To Be:
➢ Fiscally Sound
➢ Socially Responsible
➢ Collaborative
➢ Risk Taking
➢ Innovative
And to Act with Integrity

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
Staff members at the Saint Paul Port Authority say that they are proud to work at the
organization because of its mission, its people and the difference the Port Authority has
made in the City of Saint
Paul. Together, they say,
this small group
accomplishes big things!
With creative new
programs and a visible
role in Saint Paul’s most
prominent development
projects, the Port
Authority is a fast-paced
place where important
things get done.

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 presenting the position of
Chief Financial Officer
OVERVIEW OF POSITION
The incumbent serves as the Chief Financial Officer for both the Saint Paul Port Authority
and its 501(c)3 subsidiary, Capital City Properties (CCP). As Chief Financial Officer, the
incumbent is responsible for the financial planning and reporting as well as strategic and
effective management of the financial affairs of SPPA and CCP. S/he will direct the finance
and accounting functions of the organization in accordance with management techniques
and practices appropriate within the industry. This position reports directly to the President
and will work with the President and other senior leaders.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Planning and Reporting
• Performs financial forecasting of short and long-range revenues, expenses, and cash
flows to determine funding issues.
• Supervises preparation of annual budget and monitors actual performance to ensure
compliance with budget including periodic reporting to the Board on actual
performance.
• Ensures ongoing compliance with continuing disclosure requirements to provide data
necessary to facilitate the secondary market for bonds issued by the Port Authority and
compliance with SEC regulations.
• Supervises the functions of accounts receivable and accounts payable to ensure the
accurate capture of revenues and expenses for the purpose of recording operating
results accurately, including the establishment and maintenance of accounting for the
Port consulting business.
• Has ultimate responsibility for completion of the audit and implementation of the
management letter suggestions.
• Monitor outstanding debt. Determine best timing of refunding existing debt to maximize
PV savings from refunding bonds.

Manage Financial Risk

• Serve on internal credit committee. Evaluate proposed new credits and determine
compliance with credit policy and appropriateness of the extension of credit to the
customer.
• Evaluate potential joint venture partners and proposed projects. Ensure credit
worthiness of the partner, appropriateness of assumptions used in making projections,
compliance of proposed project with Port Authority mission.

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 presenting the position of
Chief Financial Officer
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Establish credit policy. Propose credit guidelines for loan programs that balances risk of
the credit with accomplishing the Port Authority economic development goals.
• Supervise the independent investment advisor as well as the Port staff member making
investment decisions to ensure compliance with the investment policy and MN State
Statutes while maximizing the investment income potential.
• Write investment policy for Port Authority, CCP and pension funds. Monitor actual
investment results vs. bench mark and compliance with policy.
• Perform work out functions as needed to resolve financial challenges with Joint Venture
partners, and outstanding loans.
• Serve as Chair of Pension Committee which sets investment policy, hires Registered
Investment Advisor, and monitors performance versus benchmarks.

Ensure adequate funding for Port Authority operations and development functions
• Forecast anticipated cashflow from Port operations and recovery of prior development
investments to anticipate cash needs.
• Maximize the use of tax levies to cover funding gaps in both operations and funding of
development. This includes the appropriate use of general obligation tax levy,
mandatory levy and discretionary levy in concert with City levy policies.
• Develop and manage the financial plan for CCP to ensure adequate funding of Port
Authority operations.
• Maximize the use of State programs to finance economic development activities
including the use of TIF, MIF, Job Creation Incentives, Capital Bonding Requests, etc.
• Structures issuance of debt to fund development activities and Joint Ventures.

New Market Tax Credit Program

• Supervise and participate in the preparation of the NMTC application to maximize the
potential for receiving an award.
• Serve on the Board of Governors and attend Advisory Board meetings to ensure the
appropriate utilization of any allocation awards.
• Ensure the completion of all compliance reporting for NMTC including the reporting to
the CDFI Fund, tax returns, and audits.

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 presenting the position of
Chief Financial Officer
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief Financial Officer reports to the President. Reporting directly to the CFO are the
Vice President-Finance, Controller, Financial Reporting Analyst, Loan Officer, Staff
Accountant and Executive Assistant.

The CFO provides ongoing performance feedback and coaching to increase effectiveness of
staff. Together with staff members, identify appropriate job enrichment/training to facilitate
staff development.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills and Personal Attributes
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), governmental
accounting standards (GASB), SEC reporting requirements and Minnesota securities laws
in order to direct the preparation of accurate financial reports to investors, financial
institutions, and the Board of Commissioners.
• Knowledge or internal controls in order to safeguard Authority assets and ensure proper
use and recording.
• Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning in order to prepare the
annual budgets and long-range forecasts allowing the Board to make informed,
appropriate, prudent and timely decisions on long-term direction and strategy.
• Knowledge of structured finance and public debt markets to structure debt offerings
that are saleable in investors.
• Communicates effectively both in oral and written form in order to prepare concise,
professional and accurate reports to the Board of Commissioners, President and others
who rely on this type of information in order to make informed and timely decisions.
• Skills in negotiating with outside auditors, bankers, vendors, legal firms, and consultants
in order to negotiate the best value available for good and services required to operate
the organization.
• Exercises good judgment in making sound, well-informed decisions. Is proactive, result-
oriented and adapts rapidly to new situations or information warranting attention.
• Skills in management and administration in order to provide work direction to direct
reports and organization and support to other areas of the organization.
• Skills in expense related situations in proposing lower cost but equally acceptable
alternatives to expenditures in order to preserve cash and reduce expenses.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong financial internal controls in order to provide
management confidence that the organization’s assets are adequately protected.

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 presenting the position of
Chief Financial Officer
• Ability to handle many projects at the same time in order to leverage the use of the
organization’s external and internal human resources.
• Ability to show professionalism and self-confidence in working with outside vendors and
consultants in order to project a professional and knowledgeable appearance for
establishing and maintaining the company’s favorable image.
• Ability to provide a positive attitude in participative management style advocating team-
building in order to provide and maintain high morale and a positive office environment
in which employees can work effectively and feel productive.
• Experience in finance and software packages, preparation of financial statements,
compliance, and reporting.
• Experience in administration of insurance, retirement, and other benefits programs;
including creating and evaluating RFPs and implementing new programs or services.
• Strategic thinking and planning with an ability to actively contribute to the long-term
visioning of the organization.
• Superior analytic and abstract reasoning, problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Positive, enthusiastic, optimistic self-starter who demonstrates the highest standards of
integrity.
• Exemplifies behavior that is at all times professional and ethical. Builds trust both
internally and throughout the community through demonstrated accountability, integrity
and follow-through. Treats individuals with dignity and respect; exhibits tact, compassion,
sensitivity and requires the same standards of others.
• Is cognizant of and remains current on economic, political, regulatory and social issues
and trends that affect the delivery of service provided by the organization. Participates in
developing plans/strategies to address threats and to seize opportunities. Establishes
relationships and networks throughout the community and industry-specific
organizations in an effort to build trust, establish effective alliances and strengthen
support bases.
• Supports the mission of the Saint Paul Port Authority in all interactions with internal and
external customers, and in all work performed on behalf of the organization.

Education, Credentials and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting required. Advanced degree in
Finance/Accounting or Business desirable.
• Must possess a minimum of 10 years’ experience in public finance, banking, investment
or mortgage banking, public accounting with at least 5 years in a senior management
position.
• Proven financial management experience in not-for-profit environments a plus.
• CPA or MBA preferred.

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 presenting the position of
Chief Financial Officer
COMPENSATION
The compensation package for this position is highly attractive and includes an executive
base salary, bonus opportunity and participation in the organization’s benefits plan.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information and to apply for the position, please contact:

Lars Leafblad, MBA Marcia Ballinger, PhD

Co-Founder/Principal Co-Founder/Principal
612-598-7547 651-341-4840
lars@ballingerleafblad.com marcia@ballingerleafblad.com

CIVIC SEARCH REIMAGINED

Saint Paul Port Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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 presenting
Twin Cities ~ Minneapolis and Saint Paul
Welcome to Minnesota Nice - Twin Cities Style

When the Twin Cities hosted the Super Bowl in 2018, it cast an international light on what the
organizing committee dubbed “The Bold North.” It also gave the world an up-close and
personal view of what those who live here already knew. Minnesota Nice is for real.

The Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are a unique blend of small town and major
cosmopolitan hub. Both urban cores boast a thriving business atmosphere. Saint Paul, as the
state capital, is home to state government and has a more historical vibe. Minneapolis is the
larger and more commercial of the two cities. Outside of the central downtowns, however, both
cities have many distinct neighborhoods, and residents identify more with their individual
communities than with the larger city as a whole. And the best news is housing in most of our
friendly neighborhoods is affordable and welcoming.

The Twin Cities lives up to its Bold North tagline in every way. Residents enjoy four very distinct
seasons, none of which will let you down.

According to the website WalletHub, Minneapolis ranks 12th in America for cities with the most
green space. Both cities share a common root of being river towns, and the great outdoors is a
major attraction for residents and visitors alike. In addition to the mighty Mississippi River, there
are more than 900 lakes in the metro area and surrounding suburbs, upwards of 300 parks, and
miles of biking and walking trails.

Nearly every weekend in the summer there are several outdoor events for participants and
spectators—triathlons, biking races, running races, boat races, water skiing competitions, golf
tournaments, and more.

The summer highlight for many Minnesotans is

the Minnesota State Fair. One of the largest of
its kind in the country, ours is a world-class
showcase of Minnesota’s best in agriculture,
industry, arts and entertainment. Held on a 320-
acre parcel located between St. Paul and Minneapolis, it is a self-supported organization and
has been held on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds every year since 1885.

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 presenting

Twin Cities ~ Minneapolis and Saint Paul

As summer turns to fall, the region puts on a breathtaking autumn show that draws visitors
from miles around. While fall is a fleeting spectacle, the active lifestyle of Minnesotans doesn't
go dormant during the winter either. Being hardy in every way, we take advantage the miles
of cross-country skiing trails, downhill ski areas, ice skating, snowmobiling, sledding, and, of
course, ice fishing.

In recent years Minneapolis and St. Paul have become two of the most diverse cities in
America, with Minnesota's Somali community being one of the largest in the United States. St.
Paul is the heart of Minnesota’s Hmong community as well and is home to the largest urban
concentration of Hmong residents in the country.

It is by design that we’ve embraced such ethnic uniqueness. Our multi-cultural communities
present us with diversity in the workplace, a strong workforce and an added bonus of getting
to know the world, and coming to understand different cultures, on a more intimate scale
right here at home.

One of the best places to get a taste of our many blended cultures is
Midtown Global Market on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Midtown Global
Market is a welcoming indoor market and meeting place featuring an
abundance of ethnic dishes, gifts and groceries, from Mexican and
Middle Eastern to Vietnamese, Indian, Swedish and Italian.

Many Hmong and Vietnamese restaurants and shops are located in the
Frogtown neighborhood as well, on and around University and Lexington
avenues. Hmongtown Marketplace on Como Avenue and Hmong Village on
Johnson Parkway on St. Paul’s East Side feature a wide variety of traditional
foods, clothing, fabrics and crafts, as well as farmers markets.

There are countless arts and culture offerings in the Twin Cities. The
Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra has a reputation as one of the top orchestras in
the world. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is also regarded as one of the finest chamber
orchestras in the world.

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 presenting

Twin Cities ~ Minneapolis and Saint Paul

Since the early 1960s, the Guthrie Theater has staged outstanding shows from the classical to
the modern. Popular national shows and performers also tour through the Twin Cities year-
round at stages in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and at the University of Minnesota.

If you are a theatre-goer in the Twin Cities you’ll never have a dull
moment. According to the Western States Arts Federation, Minneapolis
ranks as the fifth-most “creatively vital” city in the country, right after
D.C., LA, NYC and Boston. We boast more than 40 venues with a variety
that even the most seasoned thespian would notice. There are the
magnificent musicals that play on the State, Orpheum, and Pantages
stages and lots of local talent making a statement on stages such as the
Southern Theater, New Century, and Illusion. Many a Broadway production touch down in
Minneapolis on their country-wide tours. Wicked, Hamilton, and Beautiful are a few examples
of productions that have played here. Theater is also a large component of life in Saint Paul.
The gorgeous 1000-seat Fitzgerald Theatre acts as MPR’s largest broadcast studio. Staged
productions commission authors, artists and radio hosts to create programming for the public
radio community. The Fitzgerald Theater is St. Paul’s oldest theater and celebrated its 100th
anniversary in 2010.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts has been recognized as one of America’s leading
not-for-profit performing arts centers and is home to a wide variety of performances
throughout the year providing the finest in musical theater, music, dance, and vocal artists in
its Music Theater and Concert Hall. In addition, each year the Ordway presents its Flint Hills
Family Festival, serving more than 50,000 children and adults through its Ordway Education
programs.

And while we’re on the subject of philanthropy, the Twin Cities is proud to call itself home to
hundreds of nonprofits doing good work for the residents of our community, giving us an
even richer connection to each other.

For the museum-goer, there are more than 60 museums in the

metro area. The Science Museum of Minnesota and the
Minnesota Children's Museum (both in Saint Paul) are highly
interactive learning facilities and fun experiences for the entire
family. The Minnesota History Center is an interactive museum
for all ages with permanent and changing exhibits, lectures and events.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a collection of more than 100,000 pieces. The Walker Art
Center has been called “possibly the best contemporary art museum in the U. S.” by
Newsweek, and has over 11,000 pieces. The University of Minnesota's Weisman Art Museum is
also a contemporary art destination.

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 presenting

Twin Cities ~ Minneapolis and Saint Paul

The Somali Museum of Minnesota on East Lake Street features hundreds of traditional Somali
artworks and artifacts as well as educational programs.

For those who prefer activity of the spectator variety, the Twin Cities is home to the
Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Timberwolves. We
are also the home city to the four-time WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx and the Minnesota
United soccer team. Our sporting events are hosted in some of the best sporting facilities in
the country, including Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins and US Bank Stadium, a
brand new, enclosed stadium where the Minnesota Vikings host their NFL games. Additionally,
the stadium also hosts early season college baseball games of the University of Minnesota
Golden Gophers. A $250 million, 19,400 seat soccer stadium is also in the works in the St. Paul
Midway area for the Minnesota United.

Beyond sports, the great outdoors, entertainment, and culture, perhaps the biggest attraction
for the Twin Cities is the lifestyle. Forbes hailed Saint Paul and Minneapolis as one of the
nation's healthiest cities and USA Today named Saint Paul as North America's “Most Romantic
City.”

The Twin Cities offer award-winning restaurants (several chefs have been regional James
Beard Award winners). In addition to the popular Mall of America, there are plenty of unique
shopping districts in both cities and in the suburbs.

Minneapolis/St. Paul is also proud to have a world-class international airport. In fact, the
Airports Council International named MSP the 2017 Best Airport in North America in its size
category, 25 million to 40 million passengers per year.

The Twin Cities is a vibrant Midwestern community where Minnesota Nice is alive and well. We are
the perfect blend of small town, big city and our residents pride themselves on their warm and
welcoming ways. There’s a reason Business Insider ranked Minneapolis/St. Paul number nine on its
Top 50 Places to Live in America. We really are all that. And more!

www.minneapolis.org www.stpaul.gov

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