Appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate as South Carolina's first Chief Resilience Officer. Responsible for the coordination of resilience activities between federal, state, and local partners. Responsible for the development of the strategic statewide resilience and risk reduction plan, management of the disaster relief and recovery reserve fund, and the disaster recovery revolving loan fund. Oversight of all HUD CDBG-DR and MIT funds which have to date returned over 2,900 families to safe, sanitary, and secure homes throughout the state.

Responsible for all facets of HUD Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), Mitigation and Resiliency programs in South Carolina from the Severe Storm in 2015, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Florence in 2018 and the HUD Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) grant award in 2020. Responsible for all aspects of multiple CDBG-DR/MIT grants totaling $450M and the execution of a $4.5M FEMA Disaster Case Management Grant for 2016 Hurricane Matthew and $3.8M for 2018 Hurricane Florence. Implementing current outcome of over 2,800 homes repaired or replaced toward goal of 3200 homes and 190 home buyouts as the outcome. Currently executing a $162M CDBG-MIT Grant to carry out strategic and high-impact activities to mitigate disaster risks and reduce future losses and to increase resilience to disasters and reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship by lessening the impact of future disasters. Manage and support data-informed investments, focusing on repetitive loss of property and critical infrastructure; build capacity to comprehensively analyze disaster risks and update hazard mitigation plans; support the adoption of policies that reflect local and regional priorities that will have long-lasting effects on community risk reduction, including risk reduction to community lifelines and decreasing future disaster costs; and maximize the impact of funds by encouraging leverage, private/public partnerships, and coordination with other Federal dollars. Implemented successful strategies which accelerated the recovery and properly managed each federal tax dollar awarded within the CDBG-DR grant. Called upon for public speaking on numerous Disaster Recovery and resilience related subjects concerning CDBG-DR grant and programmatic activities. Successfully undergone several HUD CDBG-DR compliance inspections with no deficiencies noted.

Assisted and supported the Director, implemented, coordinated, directed and advocated disaster recovery and case management goals, objectives, and outcomes set by State and Federal guidelines. Took a holistic view of implementation as sets of project activities, linking internal local government activities with those of the community’s stakeholders to ensure progress and completion of outcomes identified in the state low income home repair and replacement program, strategies, or other recovery objectives. Assisted Disaster Recovery Management Director to facilitate and support effective decision-making and coordination for recovery and case management objectives and activities, including leadership and administration, policy and oversight, funding and financial management, community planning , housing recovery, economic recovery, and public health and welfare. Integrated recovery implementation with state and community recovery planning processes. Ensured a well-managed recovery, including development and coordination of partnerships and a well-administered financial acquisition and grants management process. Fostered information sharing and managed proactive community engagement, public participation and public awareness. Integrated resilient rebuilding into all recovery projects and encouraged organizational flexibility. Recruited, assigned, and managed appropriate staffing levels. Communicated state and community recovery needs and priorities to federal and state agencies. Worked with activity coordinators in setting and managing priorities and budgets($4.5M FEMA Grant and $378M CDBG-DR HUD Grant). Procured a watershed study of the Pee Dee and Santee watersheds as a preparatory study for effective implementation of the CDBG-MIT grant. During timeframe as Deputy Program Management Director, passed state single audit with no deficiencies noted.

Plans, organizes and directs all general administrative programs and policies for the Department, including human resources, staff development, training, employee performance management system, finance and accounting, procurement, and information resources; provides guidance and advises the Director to ensure compliance with agency, state and federal policies, laws and procedures such as the Fair Labor Standards Act; serves as primary advisor to the Director on all budgetary, financial and human resources issues which includes the development of strategic compensation initiatives in support of the total rewards strategy for the Department; responsible for administering the statutes and regulations governing the taxation of insurance companies and the reconciliation of broker premium taxes; provides leadership and direction in the development of the agency’s strategic plan, ensuring that the plan sets out a long-term focus, short-term goals and planned accomplishments, and benchmarks for measuring progress and success; responsible for aligning necessary efforts and resources in achievement of the strategic plan.

Served the South Carolina State University Board and its committees as Executive Director with duties of developing an agenda for meetings, making appropriate logistical arrangements and ensured the timely recording of minutes; reviewed all matters proposed for Board and committee consideration to determine that each agenda item was thoroughly researched and ready for presentation which included but not limited to the study of salary equity and disparities, student housing plans and building and construction issues; conducted special studies for the Board and its committees as required; kept all official files of the Board and its committees which were used to facilitate the work of the Board; managed the Trustees’ Budget developed and maintained a Trustee Manual, which served as the official record of duties, responsibilities and proper conduct for the Board; managed and maintained the President’s performance management documents; and established effective ongoing communication with Board members, the University President, faculty and staff, legislators, legislative staff and Governor’s Office staff.

Served as a chief advisor to the Governor in the development of the Governor’s Executive Budget; conducted and analyzed budget studies and made budget recommendations to the Governor and Chief of Staff; met regularly with the Governor and staff in preparation of the Executive Budget; established effective ongoing communication with legislators, legislative staff, agency budget administrators and agency heads on budget and funding issues and provided information as it related to programs, services and the Executive Budget; analyzed complex budget problems with state agencies and recommended immediate and appropriate action to remedy them; monitored and disseminated information, including budget reports, forecasts and future revenues; prepared and maintained a variety of financial reports; facilitated and conducted meetings for state agencies regarding budgets and other financial information; and analyzed state and federal legislation and regulations to determine the effect on agency programs and services as they related to the state budget.