Michael has 11 years of management and field experience in damage assessment, applicant coordination, construction, quality control and closeout for CDBG-DR and FEMA-funded programs. A licensed claims adjuster and certified lead renovator, Michael’s key strengths include managing field activities, developing processes and training materials, as well as handling elevated applicant issues. Michael is Xactimate Level 2 Certified. His experience supporting government agencies in administration of disaster recovery funds is further bolstered by private experience in residential homebuilding.Past and present programs include:GLO Harvey/Imelda Homeowner Assistance and Reimbursement Program (Texas)Restore LA (Louisiana)October 2015 Storm Recovery Program (South Carolina)Louisiana Shelter at Home (Louisiana)New York Rising (New York)The Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation Program (New Jersey)MDA Katrina CDBG Disaster Recovery Program (Mississippi)

As a project manager on the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program, I trained and supervised a team of Construction Technical Advisors to guide grant applicants through the construction phase. I regularly monitored technical advisors, helping each team member to dial in a process, offering individualized counseling on how to achieve production goals. I personally developed training materials for staff in using the grant program's web-based interface, and worked closely with our software engineers to further customize and test this system. I developed templates for internal and external communication, as well as training materials for business processes. I also worked a caseload of several hundred Applicants on this program, consistently meeting or exceeding my production goals month after month. I participated in task force meetings, public outreach events and regularly stood in for the senior project manager as needed. I was instrumental in developing an inspection team to monitor construction progress, and continue to act as the manager of the scheduling system. I revised my department's SOP as well as various procedure changes and program documents. I was the go-to for problem solving in my department.

In response to the 2016 flooding event, the Louisiana Shelter at Home Program provided Louisiana residents with the necessary emergency repairs to allow them to shelter in their homes while they waited for more permanent repairs to be made. AECOM provided the full range of program management functions, including intake/eligibility, damage assessment, scope development, contractor oversight, inspection services and contractor invoice approval. Michael performed residential damage assessments, progress and final inspections for this FEMA IA program. As an assistant Task Lead, he trained and performed QA review for a team of 17 assessors and handled special projects or delicate situations involving program applicants.

I grew up in a family of musicians and studied multiple instruments beginning in middle school. In high school, college and my early 20s I mostly devoted my musical skills to local churches and ministry. During that time, I began to write and record songs which led to the release of my first record. At 25, I toured with David St. Romain and stayed on locally as his electric guitarist after the tour. Other projects of note - Peter Simon, The Allison Collins Band, Two if By Land, Healing Place Church and Antioch Community Church. Music has taken a backseat to my other interests since becoming a father.