Michael Sarich Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

My major role is to maintain a culture of innovation and collaboration with a diverse team scattered across the nation but unified in our mission of service. In brief though; • Leads VHA FOIA program with 300+ FOIA/Privacy Act Officers handling 75%+ of Department’s total across 151 facilities with a team of remote and local senior level FOIA practitioners • Quarterback multiple FOIA litigations, coordinates production schedules, negotiates scope issues to facilitate responses, directs FOIA Officers in Vaughn reviews, assists AUSA’s motions practice• Provide day to day guidance to a worldwide team of FOIA practitioners on release/redact issues• Drafted and implemented a plan to ensure VHA FOIA meets “High Reliability Organization” standards for processing and delivery consistency across the enterprise• Co-Chair of NARA’s Chief FOIA Officers Council’s Technology Committee, co-led the single largest FOIA training event in OIP/NARA history with over 600 attendees, led a survey of FOIA IT systems government wide and prepared a set of recommendations and presentations for the annual ASAP conference, the Chief Information Officer Council, DOJ OIP, and OGIS

Baltimore, Md, Us

• Lead a comprehensive rewrite of SSA FOIA Regulations for the first time since 1997 in accordancewith the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016• Handled a mixture of approximately 30-40 Privacy Act and FOIA cases ranging from appeals to complex requests to litigation at any given time• Presented FOIA & Privacy Act Training I developed to SSA employees of various grades• Peer Reviewed PIA’s, Computer Matching Agreements and SORN’s• Identified outdated fee structure (by 12 years) and performed analysis to correct internal POMs and ensure SSA was capturing appropriate fees for service• Provided legal justifications for the review, redaction, and release of complex agency materials avoiding litigation and protecting sensitive SSA information

• Developed, modified, and implemented policies for increased efficiency in the processing and release of backlogged FOIA/PA requests leading to an overall 24% backlog reduction• Utilized Privacy Act knowledge to speed the release documents through routine use procedures enabling our California decrease its backlog by 23 cases and meet DOJ/DOI backlog goals• Conducted annual BLM FOIA Audit with 99.6% accuracy• Created and led FOIA training for field office staff and leadership• Drafted Instruction Memorandum for streamlined FOIA processing, moving from a multiple entry point to a single entry point format and initiated implementation of program• Organized and oversaw release of over 10,000 pages of multi-agency high profile documents relating to Nevada cattle trespass (NPS, DOJ, and BLM)• Represented BLM on multi-agency workgroups focused on data integrity of FOIA productions • Served as “go-to-guru” on exemption and exclusion questions for state FOIA leads and staff• Led “Sunshine Week” activities at Washington Headquarters to raise the FOIA profile

• Oversaw and provided guidance to largest Boys and Girls Club in Maryland• Ensured Club complied with regulations and negotiated with various governmental agencies to secure funding, fields, and permits for programs and activities

Successfully campaigned & implemented a platform of “Live, Work, Play, LaurelWon highest margin of victory in City HistoryChairman of Budget Committee, Cable Commission, Citizens with Disabilities Advisory CommitteeTestified annually at Maryland General Assembly on multiple bills and bond requestsDrafted, sponsored, and enacted legislation on topics as diverse as retirement benefits for the Laurel Police Department to enhanced environmental standards for green space in new development

• Analyzed the housing code enforcement field processes• Conducted Field Research into area 1-Stop Centers & best practices• Designed and led training in MS Excel, Q-Matic, & Statistics for Managers

• Planed and implemented battle preparedness and signal plans for team• Supervised up to 8 other team members in signal combat support & network design/management• Maintained Top Secret SCI security clearance

Certificate In Ai

Education record

Masters In Public Management

Bachelor Of Arts, Government And Politics

Masters In Public Management, Concentration In Management, Finance And Leadership

Intern Irish Parliament

Certificate- Negotiation