Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Bio
Professional Memberships
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Laura A. Nelson

Mesa,AZ

Summary

Program Delivery Manager with expertise in operations and grants management. Demonstrated success in leading FEMA project applications and enhancing recipient capabilities while ensuring compliance. Proficient in technical document review and relationship building, contributing to effective disaster recovery initiatives.

Overview

43
43
years of professional experience

Work History

Program Delivery Manager for the State of California Office of Emergency Services, (Cal OES)

Hagerty Consulting
Sacramento
02.2021 - 02.2025
  • Deployed to Sacramento, responsible for Conducting Sub-Recipient Project Application Reviews for 540 (five hundred forty) Applicants requesting Public Assistance by completing independent reports for DR-4482-CA, COVID-19 Pandemic Event declared January 2020, reimbursements.
  • Downloaded Qualified Applicants request for Public Assistance claims from FEMA Grants Manager. Built individual excel files of Information for each Applicant in Grants Manager submitted summary for Public Assistance request, found and identified employees and staff linked to the Applicant, General Grant information, how to set up a project with the Applicant in Grants Portal, Damage Inventory, Documents, Notes, Action Log and History shared with each Applicant.
  • Provided Applicant transparency in Public Assistance Process steps by completing and submitting Streamline Project Applications to FEMA. Provided scoping and costing projects standard operating procedures and submittal into Grants Portal to FEMA.
  • Provided State-Led Public Assistance Overview to each State Applicant, Sub- Recipient with more in-depth guidance on the processes, resources and capabilities required for Recipient to lead PA operations. This allowed for Recipients to receive tailored customer service, opportunities for Recipients to enhance and build capabilities to support recovery; Enhancing the Recipient role in shaping and achieving desired recovery outcomes; and Encouraging Recipients to build upon existing relationships and familiarity with Applicants to increase efficiency throughout grant lifecycle.
  • Use of Sales Force compliance once Application is completed and obligated, State of California Applicant's visibility on timeline for reimbursement data system.
  • Familiar with Determination Memos, explanation of expired non-supporting documentation, uploading Applicant timesheets, EFTs, Proof of Payments, Fringe Benefits, Labor and Administrative fees to complete each project sent to FEMA. Provided Budget Estimates, Force Account Labor, Equipment, Materials and Supplies costs added to the Streamline Project Application.
  • Notified Applicants if a Request for Information, RFI, is needed on a project specific for vaccinations given, tests for individuals who may be a-systematic, and requests directly related to COViD-19 by FEMA in order to keep the application request for reimbursement moving forward to completion.
  • Notified both State and FEMA of immediate changes in Grants Portal and Grants Manager the day EMMIE was decommissioned.
  • Provided guidance to Sub-Recipients who request training from FEMA to better understand and perform their potential roles and responsibilities under state-led PA operations. Training may be conducted during pre-disaster preparations or once a presidential disaster declaration has been issued. Guidance provided to Recipients to contact their Regional PA Branch Chief or Infrastructure Branch Director with questions related to training.
  • Worked directly with FEMA Leadership daily to make appropriate eligibility determinations.
  • Provided Sub-Recipients with FEMA Public Assistance Job Aids, Fact Sheets and Guidance to Amend a Project. The job aid explains the steps required to amend a project for all FEMA declarations. The Amendments is a version of the project created after it has been awarded, and the amendment request has been approved by the Recipient and FEMA. The Amendment process once submitted by the Applicant to the Recipient and then to FEMA for changes to the activities or costs of a project that has been awarded. Assure Applicants meet all reasons for the Amendment for approval of small and large projects by FEMA.
  • Provided Applicants with Recovery Transition Meeting, (RTM), request for FEMA approval to conduct and schedule. At the end of the RTM Applicant goes on to Closeout and cost reconciliation.
  • As an employee, complied responsibly for every Timesheet, Expense Report, Labor Report, Submitted Receipts and weekly accomplishments ahead of formal deadlines.
  • Attended multiple meetings hosted by State and FEMA Leadership and notes taken. Attended multiple State and FEMA hosted webinars and training courses and received certifications for each in safety and cyber security.
  • Maintained compliance of multiple State and FEMA Policies and Guidelines.

TAC Coordinator for the State of Louisiana

AECOM Recovery
Baton Rouge
04.2016 - 06.2020
  • Deployed to Baton Rouge, responsible for all employees within the State of Louisiana. reported to Applicant/Couty and State meetings, generated monthly management report for FEMA Leadership. Responsible for employee accountability daily, expense reports, rotation schedule and safety/medical issues.
  • Conducted all call downs and results directly to FEMA Leadership. Provided employee resources at FEMA Request, including all deployment training. Position included acting Policy advisor to co-workers with new directives from company or FEMA.
  • Resources asset for problem issues. TAC liaison between FEMA and AECOM Recovery. administrative role included all Communications, reporting and training.
  • Responsible for the identification and deployment of professional staff in response to FEMA tasks, providing the right people, properly equipped, where needed, on time, and in a cost-effective manner.
  • Kept all AECOM Recovery team members informed of potential deployment scenarios in preparation for providing FEMA with the optimum talent to meet deadlines for any size deployments.
  • Coordinated deployments with Project Director and his AECOM Recovery staff. Acted as a point of contact for FEMA COTR for Logistics or planning issues. provided all logistical support to deployed staff including assignment briefing and orientation, lodging and transportation support.
  • Issued health and safety guidelines and helped develop all deployment orientation information. Developed, coordinated and helped implement staff training and development plans. Helped coordinate and implement just-in-time training procedures.
  • Worked closely with FEMA security personnel to obtain and maintain proper security badging for all AECOM Recovery Personnel. Experienced researcher, reviewer and editor of technical documents, contracts and reports.

Disaster Preparedness

Luke AFB Emergency Management Services
Litchfield, AZ
03.2012 - 06.2012
  • Prepared base security training modules for all active duty/civilian personnel in the event of a disaster. Worked with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy Members.
  • Effective communication skills at all levels of the organization. Problem solving skills.
  • Building of multiple Training modules in Safety, Active Shooter, and Cyber security.

Project Specialist

State of Missouri
Joplin, USA
03.2011 - 12.2011
  • Worked with the displaced families of over seven thousand homes destroyed by the Joplin Category 5 tornado.
  • Responsible for helping write full grants and placing families in temporary trailers. Prepared management spreadsheet monthly for the Missouri Governor.
  • Coordinated FEMA/State Applicant meetings.
  • Worked directly with FEMA leadership daily to make appropriate eligibility determinations.

Project Specialist

State of Iowa
, IA
12.2008 - 06.2010
  • Project Specialist responsible for over two hundred (200) applicants within twelve (12) Iowa disasters declared counties suffering major flooding.
  • Produced and/or reviewed hundreds of FEMA project worksheets.
  • Represented Iowa State applicants.
  • Attended all Applicant/State and FEMA meetings.
  • Reviewed and advised on all project formulation writing of grants, submission of projects to FEMA.
  • Proficient user of Microsoft Office-FEMA NEMIS and EMMIE database systems.

Contract and Procurement Manager / Inventory

Norfolk Naval Command
04.1996 - 07.2008
  • Accurately and efficiently inventoried, documented and transported confidential materials to off-site storage buildings. Managed logistics program and related projects.
  • Managed $6.3M inventory and logistics for U.S. Naval Command - Integrated Underwater Surveillance Sealift Operations - Ship Stocks.
  • Monitor quality assurance/project life cycles within large companies and government agencies. Watch Supervisor.
  • Procurement Department for military equipment. Responsible for inventory levels of specific ship stock items designated by Naval Command and U.S. Naval Shore warehousing. Maintained secured operations environment as a senior non-commissioned officer.

Active Duty and Reservist

U.S. Air Force
09.1981 - 03.1992
  • Veteran - U.S. Air Force - Communications. 1981-1985.
  • U.S. Air Force Reserve - Civil Engineering. Runway Destructions and Repairs. 1985-1992.

Education

FEMA - Operations 1 and Operations II - Grants Manager and Grants Portal Certified

FEMA
02.2025

Multiple Courses - Safety, Security Awareness, Cyber Security, Construction Basics, Basics of Categories of Public Assistance Worksheets

AECOM University
06.2020

Multiple Courses - Basic Estimating to Major Construction Repair, Build and Remodel Estimates

ASPE - American Society of Professional Estimators
03.2019

Associates of Science Degree - Paralegal

Southern College of Orlando
Orlando, Florida
06.1996

Hagerty Consulting Program Delivery Manager and Contractor to FEMA PA - multiple courses for Safety, Security Awareness, Cyber Security, and Webinars

Hagerty Consulting

Skills

  • Operations management
  • Procurement and contracts
  • Leadership and training
  • Technical document review
  • Project management and risk assessment
  • Grants management

Professional Bio

Ms. Laura Nelson is a top performing, results-focused Manager with over 44 years of multidimensional private-sector, government and U.S. military experience. Strong leadership and diplomacy skills. A person who has expertise in many different areas of knowledge. A visionary thinker, strategic planner, risk manager, leader and innovative in business. Software development, and use of artificial intelligence technology. A creative and critical thinker with analytical skills, pattern recognition, and with out-of-the-box problem-solving skills. A team builder, talent acquisition, conflict resolution, decision-making and strategic partnerships. Very resilient, adaptable, curious, passion and has vision for personal qualities. Other talents include reading, (a voracious reader), learning (as-you-go), networking with strong connections, being an active doer and humorous. This combination of talents has enabled her to revolutionize multiple industries and make a significant impact on the working world.

Professional Memberships

  • American Society of Professional Estimators, Certified Professional Estimator, 2015-08-01
  • Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT), Current Volunteer and Life Member

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Title: Public Assistance Program Delivery Manager

Timeline

Program Delivery Manager for the State of California Office of Emergency Services, (Cal OES)

Hagerty Consulting
02.2021 - 02.2025

TAC Coordinator for the State of Louisiana

AECOM Recovery
04.2016 - 06.2020

Disaster Preparedness

Luke AFB Emergency Management Services
03.2012 - 06.2012

Project Specialist

State of Missouri
03.2011 - 12.2011

Project Specialist

State of Iowa
12.2008 - 06.2010

Contract and Procurement Manager / Inventory

Norfolk Naval Command
04.1996 - 07.2008

Active Duty and Reservist

U.S. Air Force
09.1981 - 03.1992

FEMA - Operations 1 and Operations II - Grants Manager and Grants Portal Certified

FEMA

Multiple Courses - Safety, Security Awareness, Cyber Security, Construction Basics, Basics of Categories of Public Assistance Worksheets

AECOM University

Multiple Courses - Basic Estimating to Major Construction Repair, Build and Remodel Estimates

ASPE - American Society of Professional Estimators

Associates of Science Degree - Paralegal

Southern College of Orlando

Hagerty Consulting Program Delivery Manager and Contractor to FEMA PA - multiple courses for Safety, Security Awareness, Cyber Security, and Webinars

Hagerty Consulting

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