Andrew Macurak
I like figuring out how things work and making them work better. I like getting to the bottom of complicated, technical problems, and helping non-technical people to understand the answers. I think public institutions can and should solve public problems.
- C.V.
- Key Projects
- Writing Samples
- Contact me
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C.V.
EDUCATION
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY – H. JOHN HEINZ III COLLEGE, Pittsburgh, PA
M.S., Public Policy & Management; Economic Development & Finance concentration. August 2009 – May 2011UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, Pittsburgh, PA
B.A. summa cum laude, Urban Studies & History majors; Public Service minor. August 2006 – April 2009SKILLS
- Decision & risk modeling
- Financial modeling & analysis
- Geographic information systems (GIS)
- Program evaluation
- SAS programming
- Strategic planning
EXPERIENCE
UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, Washington, DC
Presidential Management Fellow – Office of Credit Risk Mgt., Portfolio Analysis Team. June 2011 – present- Created high-risk indicators monitoring report to enhance oversight of a multibillion-dollar loan portfolio.
- Created lender performance report that integrates multiple databases to flag banks for examination and to select an appropriate review level. Automated graphic report so examiners could explain findings to banks.
- Created tool to evaluate lender oversight programs by comparing corrective actions to lender performance.
- Represented team on an interoffice working group to re-engineer SBA risk management processes.
PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATION, Pittsburgh, PA
Stephen M. Lauble Community Fellow/Real Estate Development Intern. May 2010 – June 2011- Assessed financial and economic risk for more than $3 million in potential investments.
- Designed database to track past and future investments’ social and financial impact.
- Evaluated the impact of loan program’s prior investments using GIS and contextual economic data.
- Managed a team to assess business attraction and site redevelopment options for a major office complex.
OAKLAND PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Pittsburgh, PA
Real Estate Intern. October 2009 – May 2010- Created budgeting tools and forecasting models to improve real estate portfolio’s financial performance.
- Used GIS to identify development opportunities that address social need and leverage market strengths.
RHIZA LABS, LLC, Pittsburgh, PA
Special Projects Coordinator (final title). January 2009 – May 2010- Developed strategic relationships with foundation, nonprofit, and geospatial industry leaders at a start-up.
- Continuously improved product branding, positioning and strategy, driving increased sales inquiries.
RACK-WILDENER & REESE, INC. d.b.a. AKOYA, Pittsburgh, PA
Associate. September 2008 – January 2009- Improved the operations of public and nonprofit agencies as part of a team of management consultants.
- Coordinated logistics to convene building industry leaders for the DoE’s NetZero Energy Buildings events.
PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT GROUP, Pittsburgh, PA
Program Coordinator (final title). February 2008 – September 2008- Grew the capacity of community groups by designing and implementing technical assistance programs.
ALLEGHENY CONFERENCE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Pittsburgh, PA
Market Research Intern May 2007 – February 2008- Compiled and analyzed economic and financial data to attract businesses and site selectors to the region.
- Conducted foreign business intelligence to identify businesses to target for international trade missions.
CONSULTING & STUDENT PROJECTS
CITYLAB, Pittsburgh, PA
6% Place Project Data Analysis and Mapping Project. January 2011 – July 2011- Developed thematic series of maps to illustrate racial and economic disparities in Pittsburgh’s East End.
LANDMARKS COMMUNITY CAPITAL CORPORATION, Pittsburgh, PA
Development of Strategic Plan (course: Strategic Planning). September 2010 – December 2010- Led a team of 5 to develop a strategic plan for Pittsburgh History & Landmarks’ community loan fund.
HOMEWOOD CHILDREN’S VILLAGE Pittsburgh, PA
Strategic Urban Design Recommendations (course: Housing Policy). January 2010 – April 2010- Led a team of 8 to develop urban design plan for a human services and economic development initiative.
OAKLAND PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Pittsburgh, PA
Website Redevelopment Project. March 2009 – September 2009- Developed and deployed new WordPress-based website and trained key staff on platform maintenance.
LEADERSHIP & HONORS
YP4 (A PROGRAM OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY FOUNDATION), Washington, DC
Mentor. September 2010 – present
Alumni Board/Alumni Steering Committee Member. January 2009 – January 2011
Fellow/Senior Fellow. January 2007 – January 2009- Assisted in organizing yearly leadership development trainings for college-aged activist leaders.
- Provided individual mentoring on leadership development and project management.
STEPHEN F. LAUBLE COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP, Pittsburgh, PA
Carnegie Mellon University – H. John Heinz III College. January 2010 – June 2011- Recognized as the Heinz College’s top economic development student with an internship-funding award.
STARTINGBLOC, New York, NY
Volunteer Captain, Institute for Social Innovation. May 2011
Fellow. April 2010- Selected for the highly competitive Institute for Social Innovation, a four-day conference and case competition.
- Returned the following year to coordinate and manage Institute volunteers.
PITTSBURGH REGIONAL LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP Pittsburgh, PA
Carnegie Mellon University – H. John Heinz III College. September 2009 – May 2011- Awarded annual scholarship for professional leadership in civic affairs.
MEMBER, PHI ALPHA THETA HISTORY HONORS SOCIETY
University of Pittsburgh – School of Arts & Sciences. Inducted April 2009HONORABLE MENTION, OSSIP AWARDS FOR UNDERGRADUATE WRITING, Pittsburgh, PA
University of Pittsburgh – School of Arts & Sciences April 2008- Recognized for a comparative analysis of the development of 20th century U.S. and U.K. housing policy.
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Key Projects
- PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
- Analyzed data as part of a comprehensive evaluation of a community development corporation's real estate plan.
- Created an operating budget for a community development corporation's rental portfolio.
- Wrote and/or managed grants totaling nearly $50,000 to financial institutions, foundations, and nonprofit grantmakers.
- Organized and promoted series of industry-specific happy hours to facilitate networking among organizational partners and stakeholders.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT- Coordinated a speaker series on sustainable design for a federal agency.
- Managed the preparation of a response to a request for proposals for a start-up software company.
- Issued request for proposals, selected consultants and identified content-area experts for a series of how-to guides in community development.
- Coordinated a site visit to conduct policy benchmarking research around vacant property revitalization. Identified relevant practitioners in external city and managed logistics of visit.
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS- Created baseline data for a neighborhood development project using GIS.
- Researched and composed an original paper on comparative housing policy that received honorable mention in the 2008 Ossip Writing Awards at the University of Pittsburgh.
- Used GIS to analyze demographic and real estate trends over time and incompatible boundaries using disparate data.
COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH- Wrote requests for proposals for nonprofits, and responses to requests for proposals for a start-up software company.
- Wrote and organized all content for a community development corporation. Facilitated usability focus groups with the organization's members and funders, and translated their comments into revisions to the site.
- Managed two comprehensive website redesigns for a start-up software company.
- Created and maintained web content for several other nonprofit and for profit clients as an independent consultant.
- Wrote and disseminated press releases to draw attention to new program and product launches.
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Writing Samples
- "Cities Reflecting Culture." Heinz Journal, Carnegie Mellon University -- H. John Heinz III College, School of Public Policy & Management, Pittsburgh, PA. Spring 2010
