Robert Lucht Email and Phone Number

Provided emergency management grant consulting services to the State of New Jersey’s Emergency Management Division in support of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Instructed State personnel on proper grant management procedures to include maintaining project timelines, collecting and reviewing quarterly reports for program compliance, reviewing and processing grant revisions as well as applicant payment requests, performing final project inspections, and initiating official grant closeouts. • Worked with State Attorney General’s office inspectors to properly catalog State disaster files and reconcile disaster expenses which resulted in a successful prior fiscal year 2014 programmatic and financial FEMA audit.• Created grant management, closeout/final inspection, and payment request standard operating procedures for State adoption.• Established file retention and organizational standards for all State disaster project files.

Assisted, and served as Deputy to, the State Hazard Mitigation Officer in the overall administration and management of the State of South Carolina's Hazard Mitigation (HMGP) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Programs. Monitored sub-grantee (local jurisdiction) compliance with and assisted in updating the HMGP Administration Plan. Interpreted for local jurisdictions federal and state rules and regulations regarding the HMGP to provide technical assistance, process grants, manage disaster expenses, and conduct meetings and briefings. Reviewed and altered multiple state and local grant contracts based upon federal HMGP regulations and state law. Served in the State Emergency Operations Center or in affected geographical areas during 8 actual emergencies, scheduled exercises, and drills.• Reviewed payment requests for compliance and requested project reimbursements for 8 State disaster declarations and 4 annual PDM cycles totaling $14 million dollars.• Provided disaster assistance workshops to 46 statewide counties consisting of local government representatives, directors, and engineers. • Approved locally prepared management costs reports, project payment requests, and responses to federal audit reports for 8 federally declared disasters and 4 annual PDM funding cycles while maintaining an error free program.• Established a list of “best practices” between the State of South Carolina and FEMA which helped streamline the grant review and approval process.