Office of National Continuity Programs

National Continuity Programs

● As staff director for FEMA’s National Continuity Programs (NCP) Directorate, lead, direct and coordinate the programs and activities of the 600 federal employees, contractors and budget exceeding $120M annually, which comprise the six divisions and Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (MWEOC) facility. ● Initiate, direct and synchronize national and agency-level initiatives and programmatic activities in support of FEMA’s mission to guide, implement, and assess the continuity plans and programs of the federal executive branch and state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments and non-profit entities; and ensure, under all conditions, the ability to send timely and effective public alert and warning messages for threats to public safety.● Direct and oversee the development, implementation, and assessment of an integrated set of programs to ensure the continuity of essential Executive Branch functions during national security emergencies, to include operational posture, critical communications systems and special access program activities. ● Shape and direct FEMA’s interests and positions to the Federal interagency, the National Security Council (NSC), the Office of Management and Budget, the White House Military Office, and the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives oversight committees of jurisdiction and appropriations staff, shaping and advocating for FEMA’s continuity equities, policy positions and resourcing. ● Advise FEMA officials on matters pertaining to operational activities, governance, resourcing, and integration of national continuity policy and programs across the agency, and serve as a member on FEMA’s policy community coordination group, Governance Board Community of Practice, Continuity Governance Board, Information Technology Investment Management Council, and the Federal interagency Continuity Advisory Group.

● Represented FEMA, and was recognized as an authority on the agency’s views and initiatives with external stakeholders, international partners, congressional staff, and at senior meetings within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal interagency, and National Security Council. ● Represented the Administrator and Deputy Administrator positions to external entities, FEMA senior leaders, the Federal interagency, and in the private and academic sectors to resolve complex administrative issues regarding programs and policies across the organization. ● Shaped and executed the Administrator’s strategic international engagement priorities, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union resilience initiatives; influencing U.S. national and global security, and catastrophic Urban Search and Rescue partnerships with trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic partner emergency response agencies. ● Identified and directed lines of effort and staffing solutions that compliment FEMA and U.S. foreign policy objectives as delineated by the White House and Congress.● Defined requirements and obtained the necessary resources to evaluate FEMA operations and functions, for the purpose of improving, modifying, or recommending management controls. ● Liaison to the Office of Counterterrorism & Security Preparedness, the National Continuity Programs Directorate, as well as team lead for the Office of the Administrator’s Emergency Support Team coordinating intelligence briefings and continuity operations engagement and activities. ● Oversaw the executive front office, and provided strategic direction to the Office of the Executive Secretariat, the National Advisory Council, the Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, and Office of Law Enforcement and Integration.

● Served as the principal advisor to the Administrator, addressing complex analysis and program management issues across all agency directorates and regional offices. ● Prepared and presented recommendations and findings to agency leadership on emergency management initiatives and issues that served as the basis for decisions regarding the continuation, re-direction, or termination of major FEMA projects. ● Engaged on behalf of the Administrator with Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, as well as private sector and non-governmental partners such as the National Governors Association, National Emergency Management Association, the American Red Cross, and International Association of Emergency Managers. ● Managed the Office of the Administrator actions in response to allegations of fraud within the Federal Insurance & Mitigation Administration and Sandy flood claims process. Directed information flow and developed a response plan to ensure timely actions were completed, reviewed all written agency products, which were disseminated outside the agency; and oversaw the assigning of requests for information from Members of Congress and relevant congressional committees. ● Planned, researched, and analyzed a broad range of management functions, including but not limited to, budget and financial management, compliance management, human resources forecasting and planning, and policy development.

• Served as legislative advisor on issues related to banking, insurance, and housing affairs with specific emphasis on the 2008 banking crisis.• Advised and briefed the Senator on activities in the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in advance of key votes and upcoming legislation.• Managed key initiatives for the Senator as the legislative advisor for Massachusetts economic development projects.• Oversaw planning and logistics for all major political and policy events including the Senator’s involvement in activities during the 2008 presidential campaign.• Advised the Senator and Chief of Staff on office personnel issues including identifying gaps and shortfalls in staffing and strategic resourcing.• Directed the Senator’s team responsible for all trip advance, site leads, and daily activities.

• Represented Senator Kennedy’s views, as the committee Chairman, and engaged directly with associations and advocacy groups as the subject matter expert in banking, finance, housing, and economic development. • Facilitated engagement with Department of Housing and Urban Development, Massachusetts state agencies, and associations to further the Senator’s initiatives and build key relationships. • Advanced economic development projects in the State of Massachusetts with specific emphasis on rural areas. • Advised Senator Kennedy and senior staff on key issues affecting economic development in Massachusetts including banking, insurance, and housing.• Prepared memoranda, talking points, vote recommendations, and media statements on behalf of the Senator.

• Served as both Special Assistant and Personal Assistant to the Senator. • Attended all Senator Kennedy’s daily briefings, meetings, and events.• Liaised with staff to direct information flow and triage communications to and from the Senator.• Captured and tracked all after action required following key events and meetings. • Coordinated all logistics and planning for Senator Kennedy’s daily activities, public events, and official travel, including international travel.