LESLIE CARDONA

GENERAL OVERVIEW

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) – Region 8 - Department of Construction: Regional Compliance Specialist, April 2007 – Present:

• Monitor compliance using federal rights civil laws and regulations for programs administered by the NYSDOT and evaluated by FWHA.

• Assist with the organization and coordination of submission requirements, determine and evaluate legal and technical sufficiency for payment in construction projects where there is funding allocation toward D/M/WBE goals.

• Provide training to contractors, consultants and engineers in construction contract compliance matters.

• Evaluate potential DBE vendors, suppliers, contractors and consultants for certification within the Unified Certification Program (MTA, Port Authority, NYSDOT, etc.).

• Assist in the development, evaluation and award of contracts.

• Evaluate contractors in their Commercial Useful Function, as identified in their proposals. Determine if line items have been approved and properly performed as required by contract.

• Conduct Scope and Preconstruction meetings and community outreach for support programs.

• Perform other duties at the request of compliance supervisors and regional construction engineer.

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) – Department of Equal Opportunity:, Investigator, Contract Compliance Officer, August 2002 – April 2007:

• Conduct investigations regarding compliance with to federal statute (primarily 29 CFR 5.1 – 5.17 and 40 USC 276) and local laws (NYC Admin Code Sections 220, 230 and 6-109) in matters of equal opportunity and contract compliance. Gather evidence of non-compliance in matters for NYCHA Inspector General regarding allegations of fraud or crimes.

• Consult with agency staff and interview appropriate parties regarding contract compliance, and prepare reports and relevant correspondence on above alleged violations.

• Track and gather necessary contracts and amendments for legal review; manage documents and data in shared drives; process and track all calls into database for prevailing wage issues.

• Create, format and edit multiple worksheets containing calculations and work with tables, select queries and databases to illustrate prevailing wage violations in order to perform withholding of monies from contractors. Submit request for withholding based upon investigation outcomes.

• Follow-up with appropriate agencies, offices to ensure accurate documentation has been provided for settlement conferences, discovery compliance, etc.;

• Instruct and assist independent contractors hired by NYCHA in matters of contract compliance. Train newly hired field compliance officers;

• Mentor new hires: Assist in drafting of internal procedures and training materials for compliance officers and investigators. Conduct site visits and interviews to ensure compliance of contracts. Take part in special projects as assigned by Supervisor of Field Investigations and Supervisor of In-House Investigations.

New York City Civil Court – Guardian Ad Litem, June 2006 – Present

• As assigned by the court to create and negotiate intervention plans to prevent eviction for designated residents;

• Appear before Housing Court Judges;

• Coordinate services with social service agencies to ensure funds are secured on behalf of tenants;

• Negotiate and settle disputes and claims with parties and attorneys on behalf of residents in housing matters;

• Develop strong relations with agencies in achieving department objectives.

Westchester Mediation Services (CLUSTER Inc): December 2006 – Present
Mediator (co-mediator and apprentice) for Alternative Dispute Resolution Center in areas of Parent-Teen Mediation, Alternative Justice Programs, Elder Mediation, Housing Mediation, Small Claims Matters and other cases as assigned by courts or other referral methods.

New York City Police Department - Police Officer (retired), June 1987 – March 2001

• Legislative Attorney Trainee: Drafted proposed legislation and obtained sponsorship of Federal, State and local bills in the interest of the NYPD; served as NYPD liaison with Mayor's Office of City Legislative Affairs; tracked all amendments to law in relation to police department and criminal issues; lectured NYPD officials on recent amendments to law, regulations and departmental mandates though the Executive Development’s management training course and assisted in the annual publication of the “Legal Bulletin” informing all uniformed members of pertinent changes to law; assisted in preparation of witness testimony before the NYC City Council;

• Civil Section Attorney Trainee – Assist General Counsel to NYPD in matters of Human Rights litigation; served as liaison to NYC Corporation Counsel; conducted depositions and witness preparation for administrative hearings; responded to requests for legal opinions; and took part in special projects as assigned by Assistant Commissioner and as assigned by Commanding Officer;

• Press Liaison – Department Spokesperson on high profile events within NYPD. Investigated information, in an expedient fashion, to in-house and area reporters. Researched and prepared press releases (action sheets) on a daily basis;

• Policy Analyst – Drafted and developed police department policy, primarily on issues of domestic and family violence, and reported directly to the Commanding Officer of Office of Management Analysis and Planning; Served on Mayor's Domestic Violence Task Force 1994 – 1995; served as the Department representative on domestic and family issues. Helped to develop training materials.

• Uniformed Police Officer - Performed as uniformed patrol officer as needed. Also performed critical response duties as requested. Developed and maintained strong relations with others in order to achieve department objectives.

EDUCATION

City University of New York School of Law - Queens, NY, 1995 -1997
Construction Dispute Resolution Services –Construction Mediation, Arbitration and Dispute Review Board Training, 2007
American Center for Conflict Resolution Institute - Certified in Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution – 2006
Manhattan College - Riverdale, NY Bachelor of Arts - Major: Communication Arts, 1989

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

N.Y. State Bar Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) 1999 – Present

• Provide peer support to attorneys, law students & other members of the legal community in need of assistance regarding personal, professional and legal issues.

• Assist in coordination and implementation of recruiting volunteers and Continuing Education credits as requested by director.

New York City Police Department, Police Officers Providing Peer Assistance (POPPA) formerly Membership Assistance Program (MAP) 1995 – 2002
Bronx Team Coordinator – Responsible for overall Operation of Peer Support Team of approximately 20-25 volunteers in a 24-hour NYPD suicide prevention program for NYC police officers and their families. Duties included: Conducting of MAP awareness seminars throughout Patrol Borough Bronx, NYPD Police Academy and Executive Management Levels. Trained and mentored peer officers. Performed Critical Incident Response duties during large scale emergencies and disasters (e.g. 9/11). Offered counseling, guidance and appropriate support to uniformed members. Drafted policy for union and NYPD on peer counseling; performed frequent client contact, particularly in areas of alcohol and substance abuse; offered referrals to social workers and psychologists. Obtained emergency authorizations of HMO’s and insurance companies. Also assisted in the implementation and coordination of past support group for family members of police officers in the “Bronx” area.