The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) serves over 649,000 residents by helping local governments enhance quality of life through funding acquisition, regional collaboration, and essential service delivery. Since 2019, Horizon Point Consulting (HPC) has been a trusted partner in TARCOG’s pursuit of excellence, delivering comprehensive organizational development, training, and coaching services.

The collaboration began with HPC conducting a strategic compensation analysis that included job evaluation, FLSA compliance review, and external market benchmarking. This work culminated in a market-informed, equitable compensation structure designed to support internal equity and long-term sustainability.

Building on that foundation, HPC facilitated the design of a values-driven performance development and evaluation system aligned with TARCOG’s new pay structure. This included a collaborative effort to define organizational values and translate them into measurable performance criteria. Leaders at all levels engaged in four half-day trainings to adopt a merit-based, leadership-focused approach to performance management.

As the relationship deepened, HPC supported TARCOG in an organizational structure analysis, offering recommendations for position realignment consistent with the agency’s mission and best practices in design. HPC also began delivering monthly leadership and staff development sessions, launching a Leadership Academy, and providing one-on-one executive and team coaching.

To strengthen internal capabilities, a Train-the-Trainer initiative was introduced to overhaul new hire and case manager orientation, combining hands-on coaching with refreshed content. Additionally, HPC provided both interim and ongoing HR support across recruitment, onboarding, compensation, employee relations, and policy development.

Further fostering a culture of accountability and engagement, HPC facilitated an organization-wide employee engagement survey that helped TARCOG gather actionable insights and implement data-informed improvements.

Through this enduring partnership, Horizon Point continues to support TARCOG in aligning strategy, culture, and people systems—equipping leaders and staff to thrive today and into the future.

TARCOG’s Executive Director, Michelle Gilliam Jordan, FAICP, had this to say about Horizon Point Consulting: