David Frasher learned the details of economic development in Ashland

David Frasher was the City Administrator of Ashland, Wisconsin from 2001 to 2005
Ashland, a historic coastal city is located on the south shore of Lake Superior. This beautiful city with a rich history is surrounded by National Forest, parklands, and ample of natural resources that make it a wonderful place to rejuvenate and relax. David Frasher served as the City Administrator of Ashland, Wisconsin from 2001 to 2005. He was responsible for budgeting, strategic planning, policy development, media relations, union negotiations, and daily operations of all city departments including police, municipal marina, community development, public works, airport, library, human resources, utilities, finance, etc. David Frasher led new “Smart Growth” plan for Ashland during his four-year tenure as the City Administrator. This plan was chosen as the best in the State of Wisconsin by the American Planning Association. He also improved customer service, developed efficiency plans affecting five City Departments, and most importantly led the community to be designated as nation's second "eco-municipality" in partnership with international representatives of the Sustainable Sweden Program.

David Frasher worked with dedication and enthusiasm
According to David Frasher, the City of Ashland was changing from an economy built upon the extraction of natural resources to one of limited manufacturing, medical and regional services, retail, and tourism. It was in Ashland that David Frasher enhanced his economic development skills and learned fiscal discipline. He developed his own style and worked with full enthusiasm for the proper development of the community. In Ashland, Wisconsin, David Frasher combined city and county resources to create a regional economic development corporation. He obtained more than thirteen million dollars in state and federal grants within his four-year tenure as the City Administrator.

To know more about David Frasher, please visit www.davidfrasher.info

David Frasher served as the City Manager of Grants Pass and the City Administrator of Oak Grove and Ashland

David Frasher served as the City Manager of Grants Pass from October 2005 to August 2009. During his tenure, David Frasher was successful in improving relationships with employee labor groups, avoiding costly arbitration while successfully negotiating new contracts with significant savings for the municipality. David Frasher’s staff loved and respected him and enjoyed working with him. As the City Manager of Grants Pass, David Frasher was responsible for daily operations of all municipal departments including administration, finance, police/fire, public works, community development, human resources. He performed his duties with complete dedication, hard work, and commitment. David Frasher was the City Administrator of Oak Groove from 1999 to 2001. During his tenure as the City Administrator, he implemented a customer service training certification program for all staff members. During his four-year tenure as the City Administrator of Ashland, David Frasher brought landmark changes to the community that are paying dividends still today. He managed development and adoption of a new "Smart Growth" Comprehensive Plan that was chosen as the best in the State of Wisconsin by the American Planning Association.

To know more about David Frasher, visit www.davidfrasher.info

David Frasher, City Manager developed an Excellent Economic Development Strategy in Grants Pass

Excellent Economic Development Strategy in Grants Pass by David Frasher
Grants Pass is a major commercial and employment center located in Southern Oregon. David Frasher worked as the City Manager of Grants Pass, Oregon from October 2005 until August 2009. He also became a “Credentialed Manager” with the International City Management Association (ICMA). As the City Manager, he took a step forward in financial management and budgeting, focusing greater efforts on Council goals. He organized and implemented goal-setting retreats in which the elected officials established objectives and an overall vision for the following year. After the retreat, the staff created a work plan containing specific targets and projects, identified the person(s) responsible for each item, resources needed, and the performance measures that would be used to track each item. All these goals, vision, and work plan were developed in close cooperation with the Council. Economic development remained a top priority for Mr. Frasher and the City Council throughout this period

David Frasher, City Manager won Award for Financial Reporting in Grants Pass
David Frasher, City Manager developed a budget specifically tailored to support the Council’s vision and goals. To know the status of each project and to keep the Council informed of the status, he created quarterly goals reports. The Council could then check the progress not only via periodic goals reports, but also during the City Manager’s annual evaluation, at the onset of the goals retreat the next year, and by examining the results of an annual citizen survey. All these actions ensured that the staff and the organization remained in touch with the values and perceptions held by the community. Elected officials and staff were also prepared in a much better way to answer any questions by constituents or the media regarding the City’s finances. The result was that Grants Pass, while not known for political stability, was able to face the recession in a much stronger financial position than most other cities. David Frasher and his staff were then awarded honors from the Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in both budget presentation and financial reporting.

To know more about David Frasher, City Manager, visit www.davidfrasher.info.