M/WBE PROGRAM DIRECTOR DAVID FRANCIS
Bureau of Fiscal Services
1. What is your name, title and years at FDNY? Where are you currently assigned, and what are your work-related responsibilities?
My name is David Francis. I have been with FDNY since 2006. As the Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program director, it falls to me to ensure that the Fire Department is complying with all the rules and regulation that govern the NYC M/WBE program. In addition, I develop/maintain agency M/WBE standard operating procedures and oversee a MWBE program pnalyst who aids me daily with a variety of tasks, updating a range of spreadsheets that identify where the FDNY stands with regard to FDNY’s M/WBE utilization goal.
Recently, I took on a new task where I’m being trained on how to assess task orders. Task orders are a process that identifies the many contracts we have with New York City prime vendors. They are intricate solicitation documents that identify the contract, scope of work and services to be provided. I have to review these documents for their accuracy. This includes confirming that items entered via the vendors’ proposals are allowed per the contract, as well as making sure the numbers are correct and that backup documents are attached before we send them over to the controller for approval. Between directing the M/WBE Unit and reviewing task orders, I have a very busy work schedule.
2. What called you to a life of public service at FDNY?
God. He is the one in charge. I was not aware I had registered with the temp agency. They called out of the blue approximately 17 years ago asking, “Mr. Francis, have you worked in payroll?”
My reply was “Yes.” Even if I didn’t know it, my thought pattern back then and even today is, I’ll figure it out once I get there. The next thing I knew, I was among three temps on assignment here at the FDNY.
It was a six-week temp assignment. Seventeen years later, I’m still here.
3. Can you share one of your most memorable moments while working at FDNY?
I have three. The first one that comes to mind happened on two different occasions: I followed the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner (Nigro and Kavanagh, respectively) in giving speeches in the auditorium. The events were centered on Martin Luther King, and since I was part of the M/WBE program (deputy director), they asked me to say a few words. So that was huge for me.
Another moment was with my predecessor, Shannon Cardone—then the M/WBE program director. We were asked to present our M/WBE program at the Mayor’s Office at City Hall. We gave a presentation in front of the deputy mayor and all our fellow M/WBE colleagues from other agencies. That was huge and very stressful.
My final most memorable moment is of my daughter. Dominique Francis recently worked here at FDNY for almost three years. Coming to work with her, sharing lunch with her daily, having someone go get lunch with daily was really special.
4. What does We Are FDNY mean to you?
When I used to look at the poster in the break room and on the computer screen, I was like, “How did these people get on there?” Out of the group on the previous poster, I knew one and had seen others around the building. Luz Galarza is the one person on the poster I know, and we have a great working relationship.
I was very interested in being part of that campaign. I’m someone who loves this organization. FDNY is all about helping and saving lives.
We are FDNY—it’s just me all day, every day. I want to help and save lives; it’s my Superman complex.
5. What is your superpower (best quality or skill)?
Adaptability. I’ve been able to adapt to whatever FDNY has required of me. Seventeen years ago, FDNY asked me to come here for a payroll assignment, and when I came in, it was literally a clerical position. I could do that in my sleep. I brought so much more to the table, and I quickly made them aware I had more to offer, having worked in various industries.
Without my supervisor asking, I put together a spreadsheet that identified what was in the file cabinet that we worked from every day; this helped immensely. My superpower is being able to adapt to a situation, learn on the fly and just do whatever is asked of me. I don’t say, “No, I can’t do that.” I don’t say, “Oh, that’s not in my job description.” I’m here to learn, help and be a team player.
That’s what I’ve been doing for such a long time and why I probably ended up as the M/WBE program director.
6. How does your role support the public safety mission of the FDNY?
One of the public safety measures at the FDNY is education.
It is important that we educate the many—approximately 220 thousand—businesses out there in New York City. It is important we educate these thousands of vendors about the services offered by the City of New York. It’s important we make them aware of the potential contracts obtainable with the Fire Department, the Police Department, Sanitation and the almost 50 other New York City agencies. All you have to do is become a NYC certified M/WBE, and more opportunities are open to you and your businesses. If you’re a minority, if you fall into the category of a black, Hispanic, Asian, non-minority women, if you fall into 1 of these categories, you can potentially be awarded 30% of city contracts. We want to help you help yourself. So, it’s important that we educate them.
I have so many vendors calling me up, and some are not New York City certified. I say, “Are you aware of the M/WBE program?” and if are have not, I happily share where to start the certification process. It is so important that we educate them about this service and other services that can help promote their businesses.