Berkshire Advisors consultants and associates have broad experience evaluating the organization, management, and operations of local government agencies. In addition, many consultants and associates have worked in large consulting firms and as hands-on managers. This combination blends strong analytical skills with the real world seasoning needed to develop recommendations that are both conceptually sound and practical. A brief description of the relevant experience of selected consultants and associates follows.
Michael H. Walker.
Mike Walker, a Berkshire Advisors Principal, has more than 24 years experience helping public sector clients improve their organization, management, and operations. Mr. Walker has reviewed virtually all areas of local government operations, including studies of entire local governments as well as of individual local government departments. Before joining Berkshire Advisors, Mr. Walker was for seven years the leader of Towers Perrin's General Management Services Public Sector practice.
Robert L. Stewart.
Bob Stewart has over 34 years experience in the field of law enforcement. He focuses on conducting training and providing consulting services in the law enforcement and criminal justice communities in the areas of executive, command level, managerial, and supervisory functions and personnel. Mr. Stewart has extensive experience as a law enforcement and policing professional. He served as Chief of Police of Ormond Beach, Florida and Major/Commander of the General Service Bureau of the Tallahassee Police Department. Mr. Stewart also served as Executive Director of NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives).
Winston L. Minor.
Winston Minor has over 32 years fire services experience. He has served as a leader in the City of Atlanta (Georgia) fire department for more than 29 years and served as Atlanta's fire chief for over 7 years until his retirement. During his tenure he managed an annual budget of approximately $60 million and commanded over 900 employees and 35 fire stations.
Mary JoAnne (Jody) Hall Esser.
Jody Hall Esser has 30 years of experience working with public agencies and not-for-profit organizations in the areas of Board and staff development, strategic planning, community relations, and financial development and management. Prior to her retirement from public service in 1999, Ms. Hall Esser's most recent position was as Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Director of the Culver City Redevelopment Agency. In 1992, Ms. Hall Esser was appointed to the California Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training. She served two terms on this Commission and was Commission Vice Chair in 1997 and Commission Chair in 1998.
Maureen Costello-Shea.
Maureen Costello-Shea has extensive experience performing organizational and operational studies for public-sector clients. Prior to leaving public service and joining Berkshire Advisors, Ms. Costello-Shea served in many capacities in her 17 years with Massachusetts Departments of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. In 1994, Ms. Costello-Shea was awarded the Massachusetts Pride In Performance Award and the Department of Mental Retardation Commissioner's Award. She has received numerous service and recognition awards by non-profit agencies serving individuals with developmental and psychiatric challenges.
Renee Tinsley.
Renee Tinsley has over 19 years consulting experience including management and operation reviews, benchmarking, and best practices analysis for public-sector clients. Prior to joining Berkshire Advisors, Ms. Tinsley helped spearhead a major change management initiative for a $1 billion a year management consulting firm.
JoEllen Walker.
JoEllen Walker has expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and process improvement. She has conducted numerous technical studies that focused on using mathematical programming and statistical tools and metrics to analyze complex problems.
Back to Top
