JAMES EDWARD HAIRSTON III
Augusta,United States
Summary
Proactive and goal-oriented professional recognized for exceptional time management and problem-solving abilities. Reliability and adaptability stand out, complemented by a swift capacity to learn and apply new skills effectively. Committed to leveraging strengths to drive team success while contributing to overall organizational growth. A strong focus on collaboration and continuous improvement ensures alignment with company objectives and fosters a positive work environment.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Emergency Management Specialist IV
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
01.2025 - Current
- Served as Acting Division Supervisor and Acting Branch Director, applying ICS principles to direct multi-county disaster operations, supervising field staff, and allocating resources Serve as a strategic operations and compliance partner to senior leadership, applying federal regulatory standards, internal controls, and ICS/NIMS frameworks to guide multi-county disaster operations.
- Authored and implemented an Alternate Site Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan, ensuring mission-essential functions, compliance with federal standards, and audit readiness during facility disruptions.
- Designed and maintained enterprise-level task-tracking and reporting systems, improving accountability, operational visibility, and leadership decision-making across 24 Georgia counties.
- Oversaw record retention, due diligence documentation, and departmental files, ensuring compliance with FEMA policies and readiness for internal and external reviews.
- Produced executive-level reports, dashboards, and briefings translating operational, compliance, and risk data into actionable insights for leadership.
- Conducted safety inspections and authored incident and hazard reports with corrective actions, strengthening OSHA/FEMA compliance and organizational risk posture.
- Led daily operational debriefs and after-action reporting to identify gaps, propose process improvements, and enhance operational efficiency during high-tempo response periods.
- Improved realization of organizational objectives by effectively communicating department goals, organizational objectives and industry trends.
- Conducted safety inspections and authored incident/hazard reports with corrective actions that improved OSHA/FEMA compliance and enhanced staff safety culture.
- Produced and submitted Division Supervisor reports to Branch Director; delivered operational briefings and situational awareness updates to leadership and stakeholders.
- Coordinated and participated in Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) site assessments, openings, and closures, supporting facility build-outs and community access to FEMA programs.
- Ensured accountability and safety of personnel assigned to GeoOps by creating Call Down lists and enforcing security awareness across Region III operations.
- Authored, proofread, and submitted Division Supervisor reports to the Branch Director.
- Assisted with conducting site assessments, coordinated Disaster Recovery Center openings, walk throughs, and closures with Emergency Manager's, and participated in facility build outs.
Auto Claim Representative
Progressive
04.2024 - Current
- Investigated, evaluated, and resolved insurance claims while ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and contractual obligations.
- Maintained detailed claim documentation, supporting audit readiness, compliance verification, and risk trend analysis.
- Conducted peer reviews of claim files to validate accuracy, compliance, and procedural consistency, providing feedback to improve quality and controls.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to resolve complex claims and compliance issues.
- Delivered clear written reports and correspondence translating findings into actionable outcomes for leadership and stakeholders.
- Examined photographs and surveillance and any other documents relating to claims.
Branch Manager
Enterprise Rent a Car
06.2019 - 12.2023
- Directed branch operations with full accountability for compliance, contracts, budgeting, staffing, and regulatory adherence.
- Ensured compliance with transportation, safety, and consumer regulations through standardized procedures and controls.
- Developed and implemented operational SOPs, emergency response protocols, and internal controls to mitigate risk and protect assets.
- Analyzed operational and financial data to identify compliance gaps and process inefficiencies, implementing corrective actions.
- Interviewed and hired talented individuals with top-level strengths, improving organizational talent, and skill set.
- Enhanced branch production rates by handling staff conflicts, evaluations, hiring, and termination processes and coaching employees on company protocol and payroll operations.
- Led training programs focused on compliance, operational excellence, and customer risk management.
Account Manager
Plygem Windows
06.2017 - 06.2019
- Managed client contracts, pricing, and negotiations while ensuring compliance with procurement policies and contractual terms.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within contractual requirements.
- Conducted quality control audits and inspections to ensure compliance with industry and regulatory standards.
- Analyzed market and compliance trends, advising leadership on risk exposure and strategic positioning.
- Met existing customers to review current services and expand sales opportunities.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Emory & Henry College
Emory, VA05.2011
Skills
- Training, Knowledge Management & Change Enablement
- Resource allocation optimization
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Project management proficiency
- Quality assurance testing
- Team leadership
- Process improvement initiatives
- Cross-functional communication
Certification
CompTIA Advance Security Practitioner (CASP+)
Timeline
Emergency Management Specialist IV
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
01.2025 - Current
Auto Claim Representative
Progressive
04.2024 - Current
Branch Manager
Enterprise Rent a Car
06.2019 - 12.2023
Account Manager
Plygem Windows
06.2017 - 06.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Emory & Henry College