Getting an insider's perspective: An externship with Civic Consulting

Tom Budescu joined Civic Consulting Alliance as an extern from EY. At EY, Tom is a Vice President with its US infrastructure advisory group. Tom's subject matter expertise, coupled with the management consulting capabilities of Civic Consulting, resulted in an ideal pairing.

Tom's primary assignment at Civic Consulting was to work with the Chicago Infrastructure Trust (CIT). Having just undergone a change in leadership, the CIT was well-positioned to refresh its strategic and operating frameworks to better assist government agencies in the delivery and financing of infrastructure projects in the Chicago region.

As part of the engagement, Tom worked to update the CIT's goals and strategic approach and re-drafted its operational framework and value proposition, setting it on a course to accelerate project delivery, reduce project costs, and enhance value to taxpayers in all 50 of Chicago's wards.

As a consultant for clients similar to the CIT, Tom got an insider's view of what the day-to-day work is like on the client's side. "Being able to better understand, and participate in, the day-to-day discussions that influence the decision-making of a public agency will allow me to better serve my public sector clients at EY going forward," said Tom.

The CIT has the potential to affect all Chicagoans, be it with better access to jobs, more convenient transit options, or safer communities. Tom noted, "By working with Civic Consulting, I was provided a unique opportunity to make a difference in the CIT's ability to fulfill its potential."