Geoff Kees Thompson

Below you will find work I have led that called upon my experience in public policy, communication, change management, fundraising, writing, design, technology, and implementation. These examples showcase the variety and depth of my work, leading to enduring outcomes for the cities I served.

A CIP for LA

Writing LA's First Capital Investment Program

Over the last decade, the City of Los Angeles has made significant progress addressing long-standing limitations in its built form. Successful ballot initiatives like Measure M, the largest transportation-focused revenue measure in North America's history, are transforming the region from one synonymous with car dependency into a denser, more sustainable, and connected place.

But much more work remains at the local level for LA to address growing challenges repairing, maintaining, and reenvisioning its streets, public spaces, parks, buildings, and facilities for the needs of today, for the 2028 Games, and for the next generation of the City's residents and visitors. In October of 2024, Mayor Karen Bass issued Executive Directive 9, a multi-year roadmap to transform the way the City of Los Angeles plans, communicates, budgets, constructs, and maintains its infrastructure. LA is unique among peer cities, and does not have a unified Citywide strategy and implementation plan for its built form.

As Director of Capital Infrastructure, I lead the implementation of the five goals of Executive Directive 9, overseeing and directing staff in 10+ departments, mayoral staff, and a consultant team by setting the vision and strategy, writing the majority of the Capital Investment Program, and executing related projects supporting this shift from a City with fragmented plans and staffing, toward one working toward a common goal for the assets it owns, builds, and maintains.

A SAFER GRIFFITH PARK FOR ALL | Rec & Parks

In recent years Los Angeles has seen a tragic increase in deaths by vehicular collisions with cyclists and pedestrians. Our park system and its roads need not be part of this trend. By rethinking dated roadway designs we can create safer park streets for the most vulnerable who travel them.

Comprehensive Homeless Strategy (CHS) | city of LA

As lead author and designer of the CHS, I determined the structure, sourced the photography, wrote more than half of the narrative, and laid out the report using graphic design and word processing programs.

Funding our Parks Future | Congress & State of CA

Many of Los Angeles’ most iconic public spaces are contained within our city and the region's iconic parks. From the Hollywood Sign, to the Griffith Observatory, Runyon Canyon, Venice Beach, Watts Towers, and the Los Angeles River, our parks define our city and its public space. We must protect these symbols and gathering places of LA.

CREATING A MOVEMENT | The 5th Square

As co-founder of a non-partisan PAC supporting forward-thinking urbanist policy, I created a brand from scratch, launched the website, built the policy plaftorm, and was the public face of the organization.

Building A New LAX | LAWA, LABOR, & CIty COuncil

LAX, consistently ranked as one of the top five busiest in the world, has been a gateway to our region since the 1920s. As we look to a more sustainable future, we must address long-standing issues affecting the airport, like transportation availability and cost. Doing so means a win-win-win for LAX, nearby communities, and employees & labor.

Digital Project Management | City of LA

After writing the CHS, I spearheaded adoption of a web-based project management system to ensure efficient implementation of the report's strategies across 40+ agencies and departments in the City of Los Angeles.

Geoff Kees
Thompson

Civic leader in public space, infrastructure, and sustainability with a strong track record in implementing, fundraising & grant writing, project management, people development, and execution of solutions for enduring outcomes

Experience

Director of Capital Infrastructure - City of Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA – 2023-current
Office of Mayor Karen Bass (Mayor's Office of Infrastructure)

▸ Guiding major reform of capital project delivery via Bass’ Executive Directive 9, LA River masterplanning and restoration, infrastructure funding strategies, and public green space expansion  

- Spearheaded release of Executive Directive 9, Mayor Bass’ multi-year transformation of capital project delivery and asset management in the City of LA - Implemented a multi-department asset management system for city facilities and assets in the public right-of-way and the parks system
- Advanced legislative reform in areas related to reform of budgeting and governance to forward the mayor's infrastructure priorities and goals - Reset fractious relationship with the Army Corps of Engineers to advance major capital planning initiatives related to the Los Angeles River

▸ Centralizing capital planning communications citywide, in the city's first capital investment program

- Streamlining administrative capacity across 10+ departments with detailed project management documents and communication

Deputy Chief of Staff - Councilmember Nithya Raman | Los Angeles, CA – 2022-2023
Los Angeles Council District 4 (Griffith Park, Hollywood, Los Feliz, Sherman Oaks, Studio City)

▸ Deputy Chief overseeing initiatives, strategy, and staff for transportation, aviation, capital projects, public space, parks and recreation, homelessness, and small business development      

- Secured 10 million dollars in congressional appropriations for projects in the 4th council district via Representatives Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman - Secured 4 million dollars in California state funding for the closure of nearly a mile of roadway in Griffith Park to car traffic in service to cyclists and pedestrians, with additional safety measures planned in the years ahead
- Created and executed multi-year parks, public space, transportation, small business, and homelessness work plans, leading multiple functional teams. Plans include funding, budget & strategy with city staff, donors, and community - Developed multi-year strategy for Councilmember's priorities, organizing and executable plan across multiple leadership teams within the office - Authored legislative motions and letters on behalf of the Councilmember, setting policy + funding priority in transportation, public space, and aviation
- Designed and funded a new central district office for the Councilmember, including tenant improvements, security, finishes, lighting, and office furniture

▸ Spearheaded organizational transformation by implementing a web-based project management system

- Streamlined communication and administration capacity across council office teams - Expanded project management and capacity planning across team to improve outcomes and reduce the risk of staff burnout                               

Senior Advisor & LAX Liaison - Councilmember Mike Bonin | Los Angeles, CA – 2017-2022
Los Angeles Council District 11 (Brentwood/Palisades, West LA, Mar Vista, Venice, Westchester)

▸ Policy Advisor regarding airport stakeholders for transportation connectivity, environmental mitigation, and land development projects | Legislative Advisor to Councilman on T3 Committee                                                            

- Secured near-unanimous community and organized labor support for the Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project (ATMP), an approximately 5 billion dollar capital improvement program for LAX - Assured approval of significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between labor (SEIU-USWW) and LAX leadership, codifying new transportation funding, additional workplace oversight, and a health study of airport-based employees, allowing ATMP to move forward without litigation, while addressing the needs of workers
- Created and executed multi-year parks, public space, transportation, small business, and homelessness work plans, leading multiple functional teams. Plans include funding, budget & strategy with city staff, donors, and community - Developed strategy for Bus Only lane implementation within the Central Terminal Area (CTA) of LAX airport, integral to the success of LAX-it, by speeding bus and shuttle operations - Advised airport leadership on transit strategies, including enhancements to the FlyAway bus service, and creation of LAX Transportation Management Organization (TMO)

Transportation Policy Director - Councilmember Mike Bonin | Los Angeles, CA – 2016-2017
City of Los Angeles Councilman, Chair of Transportation Committee, Metro Board Member

▸ Legislative Advisor, Policy Director to Councilman — Chair of Transportation Committee, Metro Board Member

- Shepherded electric car-sharing ordinance meeting aggressive funding timeline
- Led effort to reform food truck ordinance for scofflaws after a series of crashes

Senior Advisor & FUSE Fellow - City of Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA – 2015-2016
Non-profit placing private sector professionals in government to address major policy initiatives

▸ Led authorship, design and content strategy for the Comprehensive Homeless Strategy, the City of Los Angeles’ roadmap to strategically address homelessness under CAO Miguel Santana 

- Wrote and collaborated on an innovative comprehensive report detailing 64 strategies on housing, land use, governance, technology and employment
- Approved unanimously by City Council and Mayor, currently being implemented
- Received national coverage in the New York Times, National Geographic & Washington Post

▸ Spearheaded procurement & adoption of innovative web-based project management system

- Streamlined communication, traceability, and administrative capacity across 40+ departments and agencies in the City and County of Los Angeles
- Deployed tool for a standard project tracking system across multiple departments
- Trained 300+ people, including requests from department leadership on new system
- Centralized progress reporting for the Comprehensive Homeless Strategy

Manager - Klish Group, Inc. | Philadelphia, PA – 2012-2015
A technology consultancy that implements complex web content management systems

▸ Implemented large-scale content management systems for corporate websites & communications

- Managed complex projects with diverse stakeholders on time and on budget
- Deployed easy to understand yet detailed training modules for various client roles
- Led aesthetic and content overhaul of company website and social media strategy

Chair - The 5th Square | Philadelphia, PA – 2014-2015
Non-partisan urban policy PAC advocating for better public space, transit, land use, governance

▸ Co-founded organization, public face for speaking engagements, authored and configured website and aligning legislative priorities with elected officials and candidates

- Established 12 point policy platform and election endorsement process
- Platform item on Vision Zero to reduce traffic fatalities adopted by City of Philadelphia
- Raised seed capital for organization through fundraising and membership campaigns
- Endorsed several winning candidates for the offices of Mayor and City Council

Product Deployment Manager - Comcast | Philadelphia, PA – 2011-2012
The largest broadcast and cable television company in the world

▸ Managed several high profile new product deployments for Business Services voice products 

- On time and on budget national launches of several new Comcast products
- Led communications with hundreds of attendees, senior leadership and cross-functional teams across multiple divisions and markets

Project Manager - Accenture | Philadelphia, PA – 2005-2011
A global professional services company providing strategy and consulting services

▸ Managed complex IT systems development & deployment projects at fortune 500 clients

- Developed innovative testing practices to dramatically shorten project timelines without compromising the integrity of the end product
- Led team of systems and integration testers that met aggressive product launch schedules
- Authored presentation used internationally by workforce diversity leadership

Education

University of Amsterdam | The Netherlands MS: Urban & Regional Planning - Cum Laude, 2009

Penn State University | Main Campus BS: Marketing & Int’l Business, 2004

BS: International Studies

BS: Spanish