Bryan McSween
Cedar Park,USA
Summary
Experienced professional with over 21 years in FEMA Public Assistance Program, serving in diverse roles such as Project Manager, Grants Manager, and Subject Matter Expert. Managed over 15,000 project worksheets across 30 presidentially declared disasters, collaborating with more than 500 sub-recipients. Skilled in resolving complex programmatic issues and supervising staff throughout the recovery process. Proven ability to lead teams and ensure compliance with federal guidelines.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager
Tidal Basin Group
Utica, NY
05.2025 - 01.2026
- Disaster Recovery Project Manager responsible for the initial development of projects; daily and weekly communication with FEMA and FDEM staff; tracking contracts.
- Maintaining project cost projections and weekly PM Reports; all closeout tasks including invoice validation, reimbursement requests, version requests, time extensions and reviewing completed work.
Validation Specialist
GrantWorks
Tallahassee, FL
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Review and approve invoices, payment requests and create validation workbooks for FDEM for DRs 4828 and 4834.
QA Specialist
AECOM
Austin, TX
02.2024 - 02.2025
- Reviewed FEMA CRC Surge projects for all FEMA regions to ensure adherence to federal guidelines.
- Led quality assurance efforts, identifying discrepancies and guiding teams to compliance.
- Performed validations of project costs for all categories of work.
Owner
B13 Grants Management, LLC
Cedar Park, TX
01.2019 - 01.2024
- Disaster Recovery Project Manager, Public Assistance Grants Management consultant.
- Project Manager responsible for staffing, secured $16 million in task orders, business development, client relations (9 clients covering 8 disaster declarations), track contracts and task orders, maintain project cost projections; invoicing and A/R tracking; baseline management of projects; conduct assessments to determine client's needs, create project worksheets, QAQC project worksheets, submit project appeals, improved and alternate project requests and version requests; responsible for final project inspections and closeouts.
- Clients include Atkins Global; CDR Maguire; Enigma Advisory; HGA; CCPRS; Woburn Housing Authority and the City of Terrell, TX.
Project Manager
H2O Partners
Austin, TX
05.2014 - 12.2018
- Project Manager for recovery efforts for clients. Responsible for implementing the FEMA Public Assistance program to the recovery staff that was contracted by the Texas Division of Emergency Management to close out projects related to Hurricane Ike (FEMA DR 1791) and the plant explosion in the city of West (FEMA DR 4136); training staff and guiding applicants on the rules and regulations surrounding the FEMA Public Assistance Program; daily communication with applicant representatives, TDEM, and FEMA Region 6 officers.
- Independently resolve complex Stafford Act/OMB Circular compliance issues, supervise the site inspection schedule, review and approve change requests submitted by Recovery Officers, suggest mitigation efforts for certain repair jobs, review HMGP applications, track change requests submitted to TDEM and FEMA, and follow up accordingly.
Public Assistance Program Specialist
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Denton, Texas
12.2008 - 05.2014
- Public Assistance Program Specialist (PAC CL), review and approve grant funding for the repair, restoration, reconstruction and replacement of eligible public facilities and infrastructure ;assist applicants to ensure that they understand the PA program and FEMA disaster specific guidance.
- Supervise Public Assistance Field Staff, upkeep of the EMMIE Case Management File, conduct Kick Off Meetings and Exit Briefings; filing of monthly Spend Plan Projections;
- QAQC Lead, Region VI: reviewed over 1600 project worksheets and advised PA Crew Leaders and applicants on disaster specific guidance and proper formation of project worksheets;
- Training project specialists and PACs on the fundamentals of eligibility requirements; Produce and analyze reports using FEMA established formats and forms; Advising PAC leaders and project specialists on how to prepare project worksheets, updating files electronically as needed.
- Reviewed appeals and made recommendations to Region VI Headquarters, a member of the special Task Force Audit Team that reviewed and closed out the Chambers County Debris OIG audit; close-out specialist responsible for final review of applicant projects upon their completion to insure that the applicants have followed the laws and regulations set forth by the Robert T. Stafford Act.
FEMA PA Consultant
The O'Brien's Group
Sarasota, FL
04.2007 - 07.2008
- Public Assistance Consultant, Assigned to Charlotte County, Lee County and Collier County applicants; assisting the State of Florida with FEMA Close-outs; Review applicant appeals and advise on how to prepare those appeals for maximum benefit; prepared project worksheets and versions.
Public Assistance Coordinator
State of Florida Division of Emergency Management
Port Charlotte, FL
04.2005 - 04.2007
- Regional Area Supervisor, Responsible for overseeing 8 counties in Southwest Florida, Grants Manager Analyst assisting public entities such as School Districts, Local Governments, Police/Fire/Sheriff's Departments and Private Non-Profit organizations with coordinating their efforts to receive grant aid from FEMA; Obtaining appropriate technical assistance, Ensuring that projects comply with all applicable laws, regulations and policies; Coordinates with the state as necessary to resolve issues and maintain an applicants' Case Management File; Auditing of projects as they become complete.
- Writing project worksheets and versions as well as approving those written by FEMA Project Officers.
Education
Economics -
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NYEconomics -
San Diego State University
San Diego, CAEconomics/Music Management -
UCLA
Los Angeles, CASkills
- Customer service
- FEMA grant program knowledge
- Project management software proficiency
- Invoicing and accounts receivable tracking
- Service contract negotiations
- Microsoft Office Suite expertise
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Business continuity planning
- Damage assessment techniques
- Internet proficiency
- Talent acquisition strategies
- Workforce training and development
- Deliverable tracking systems
- Planning and scheduling expertise
- Vendor management skills
- Disaster recovery methodologies
- Performance evaluation processes
- Budget development and adherence strategies
- Subject matter research capabilities
- Team collaboration techniques
- Scope management skills
- Quality assurance and control practices
- Document management systems
References
- Mr. Glenn Caldwell, Director, Public Services, City of Terrell, 972-551-6614, gcaldwell@cityofterrell.org
- Ms. Christine Di Martino, Finance Manager, Woburn Housing Authority, 781-935-0818, CDiMartino@woburnhousing.com
- Mr. Lucas Pagan, Director of Recovery, AC Disaster Consulting, 361-215-8660, lpagan@acdisaster.com
- Ms. Amy Rispone, Training and Compliance Specialist, EHS&R, 18231 Magnolia Bridge Rd, Central, LA, 70739, arispone@astropak.com
- Mr. Julius Hackett, CEO, Tri-County Electric Co-op, 2862 West US 90, Madison, FL, 32340, 850-869-0003, jhackett@TCEC.com
Is Courses Completed
- IS-00100
- IS-00100.b
- IS-00100.c
- IS-00101
- IS-00200
- IS-00200.b
- IS-00230.a
- IS-00276.a
- IS-00292
- IS-00293
- IS-00546.a
- IS-00631
- IS-00700
- IS-00700.a
- IS-00800.a
- IS-00800.b
- IS-01000
- IS-01001
- IS-01004
- IS-01005
- IS-01006
- IS-01008
- IS-01013
- IS-01015
- IS-01016
- IS-01018
- IS-01019
Timeline
Project Manager
Tidal Basin Group
05.2025 - 01.2026
Validation Specialist
GrantWorks
01.2025 - 05.2025
QA Specialist
AECOM
02.2024 - 02.2025
Owner
B13 Grants Management, LLC
01.2019 - 01.2024
Project Manager
H2O Partners
05.2014 - 12.2018
Public Assistance Program Specialist
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
12.2008 - 05.2014
FEMA PA Consultant
The O'Brien's Group
04.2007 - 07.2008
Public Assistance Coordinator
State of Florida Division of Emergency Management
04.2005 - 04.2007
Economics -
Syracuse University
Economics -
San Diego State University
Economics/Music Management -
UCLA