Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Stacie E Blizzard

Tallahassee

Summary

As a professional, I employ my expertise, knowledge and skills from a broad background of transportation, financial, emergency management, political, and private industry policy development and implementation with emphasis on customer service, strategic thinking, and achieving positive results. My professional experiences include being a successful relationship builder with both traditional and non-traditional partners, an effective program manager to ensure effective development and interpretation of law and creating policy and program and financial management at a state DOT, program oversight and stewardship with FHWA working with industry partners and local governments; liaison with FEMA, private industry and other federal and state agencies for Emergency Coordination efforts; and Governmental Affairs liaison in private industry.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Grant Program Manager

Federal Highway Administration
08.2022 - Current
  • One of two Program Managers for a major infrastructure grant program awarding $3.2 B annually.
  • Program manager and Liaison to 250+ awarded grant projects.
  • Provided technical assistance and support to grantees on a daily basis to ensure they were able to obligate their funding, initiate project work, submit progress reports, and successfully complete their projects on time.
  • Provided technical assistance to grantee to draft their project agreements and acted as their advocate to move the agreements through legal reviews prior to execution.
  • Conduct program reviews of all projects and brief Agency leadership on the status and financial progress of awarded grant projects as well as answer all congressional and Senatorial inquiries.
  • Reviewed annual grant program application submissions and briefed Agency leadership on those applications and the review process annually.
  • Championed best practices in grant project management, communication and tracking tools thereby fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Supported project planning by coordinating schedules and resources
  • Developed and delivered program educational materials for future applicants and grant awardees in group settings and one-on-one settings.

Emergency Management Coordinator

Federal Highway Administration
2002 - 2023
  • Lead for emergency activities for the Florida Division and served as Alternate Emergency Coordinator in Puerto Rico from 2009-2013. Success in this task required extensive liaison with other federal agencies as well as state and local governments during the events. I was also a member of the National Emergency Support Function-1 cadre which was deployed during natural and man-made emergencies.
  • Recognized by peers as an experienced and well respected emergency responder.
  • Coordinated emergency response efforts during natural disasters, ensuring effective resource allocation and communication. Provided status briefings to the State Governor, Division Administrator, Director of Field Services, FHWA, FAA & USDOT Secretary, FMEA and the Whitehouse for all hazard incidents.
  • Developed and delivered emergency response training courses for USDOT, FHWA, FEMA, US Forestry Service, Several States and Law Enforcement. Manned exhibit booth for federal emergency response at annual conferences.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive emergency management plans aligning with local, state, and federal regulations. Provided Assistance to local governments to help them develop their Continuity of Operations Plans.
  • Led training sessions for agency personnel on emergency preparedness protocols, enhancing team readiness and response capabilities.

  • Conducted risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, recommending strategic improvements to mitigate potential threats.
  • Attended and assisted with the coordination, logistics, and development of the agenda, materials for the State to host a scanning tour being conducted by the Taiwanese Government. The state DOT’s emergency preparedness and response program was regarded as one of the leading programs in the U.S. The Taiwanese government’s intent was to learn from the State’s comprehensive emergency management program and apply these lessons to their national highway system to improve emergency management.
  • Assisted with the development and participated in a peer exchange with the Japanese Government for emergency bridge inspections and emergency response processes for natural and man made hazards.
  • Have deployed to the field as Federal ESF-1 to Federal Staging areas multiple times for multiple events as well as the State EOCs. Also participated in Security planning for events such as the Republican National Convention in 2016.
  • ESF-1 Team Lead/Manager at several Federal Staging Areas in 2004 for FEMA and managed the DOT National Contract.. Provided leadership and response coordination with Landstar Tucking and managed commodities, truck drivers and approximately 1,800 commercial vehicles. Major tasks included maintaining commodity inventory and burn rates, driver inventories, scheduling and tracking commodity logistics, and developing emergency evacuation plans for all the vehicles and drivers.
  • ESF-1 Lead in 2005 & 2006 Hurricanes at the State EOC and Homestead Federal Staging Area. At Homestead, I was the Transportation Manager for the Staging Area and managed the National Contract for logistics with Landstar and oversaw the management and movement of approximately 1,200 commercial vehicles. I coordinated with the USACE to oversee their contracted drivers as well, approximately 600 drivers and vehicles. As in the 2004 incidents, I was also responsible for working with the US Forestry and FEMA to maintain commodity inventory and burn rates, driver inventories, scheduling and tracking commodity logistics, and developing emergency evacuation plans for all the vehicles and drivers.
  • I was part of the team responsible for coordinating logistics and for the Air Bridge/Air Operations in the field for Operation Haiti and multiple other events.
  • Prior to federal service with FHWA, I was a member of the State ESF-1 for ten years and authored and developed the emergency procedures and financial processes for Florida DOT.

Transportation Planning Specialist

Federal Highway Administration
05.2002 - 08.2022


  • Developed and facilitated training sessions for team members, and customers on best practices in planning and execution methodologies.
  • Collaborated with management to establish key performance indicators for tracking success metrics.
  • Championed change initiatives within the organization, driving continuous improvement efforts across all planning functions.
  • Spearheaded process improvements, leading to increased productivity and reduced errors in data analysis.
  • Responsible for providing leadership, technical assistance, guidance and interpreting federal rules and policies related to surface transportation programs to the State DOT and MPOs.
  • Coordinated with the State and local governments and worked proactively to develop solutions to issues that arise in their programs and provide guidance and technical assistance to ensure the entity had the tools to meet full compliance, maximize federal funding, and to ensure fiscal constraint was maintained.
  • Co-chaired, Chaired, and was a lead member on multiple national teams responsible for the identification of risk assessments, needed process improvements, development of program performance measures, restructured stewardship and oversight responsibilities, develop strategic plans for operational efficiency and resource allocation, professional capacity building and the development of educational materials for several Federal programs to assist the Agency Field Staff.
  • Considered national expert in several areas and assisted other states with adopting some of the methodologies I developed for tracking and monitoring, and conducting program reviews and transportation management area certifications.

Lead Transportation Planner

Federal Highway Administration
12.2009 - 10.2013


  • wrote and presented briefings, provided status updates and presentations on key issues affecting the planning program areas to The Director of Field Services South, Division Administrator, and both Florida and Puerto Rico Associate Division Administrators as well as senior level transportation officials in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including the Secretary of Transportation and the Governor. In this capacity I used innovative strategies and problem solving techniques to lead our multi-agency team in support of the Commonwealth’s implementation of their programs. I led the agency’s successful efforts to bring the Puerto Rico MPOs Long Range Transportation Plans and the Statewide State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) into federal compliance. This compliance was essential in order to continue the Federal –aid program.
  • Led the efforts to partner with the Federal Transit Administration and the Puerto Rico Highway Authority (PRHTA) to bring the agency and MPO back into compliance with federal rules, regulations and policies and used innovative problem solving to find solutions to ensure the Puerto Rico federal aid program continued to be delivered without interruption.
  • Provided technical assistance and planning coordination to environment and engineering specialists and PRHTA to assist with the development of several regionally significant projects and to ensure funding was available and the projects were developed in the MPO plans and processes and were compliant with federal regulations.
  • To increase customer services and proactive issue identification, I led monthly partnering meetings in Puerto Rico, and quarterly meetings in Florida, to identify and address needs and issues that could impact the timely delivery of their planning program and authorization of federal funds. These partnering meetings increased the understanding of Federal requirements and policies, brought solutions and recommendations to the table more timely for the partners, and resulted in the development of several training sessions that were delivered to Puerto Rico and Florida.
  • Coordinated the development of and led several peer sessions with multiple offices in FHWA Headquarters and two Divisions to provide assistance to PRHTA and PR Banking Offices for the use of Toll credits and the use of innovative financing and Private4/Public Partnerships (P3) in regional projects.

Statewide Metropolitan Planning Coordinator

Florida Department of Transportation
1990 - 2002
  • Served as the Department’s senior staff advisor and program coordinator for the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) program and liaison to the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council (MPOAC) and FHWA’s Florida Division Planning unit. This required me to develop and recommend and policies, procedures and processes to bring more consistency to the oversight and implementation of the program but also to ensure the state received and used federal transportation funds to the maximum extent on an annual basis. I developed grant management processes to include financial oversight and accountability guidelines and provided training to the Departments districts and MPOs.
  • Developed streamlines processes and methodologies for the State and MPO to track their grants, expenditures, submit progress reports, and develop their annual work program submittals for approval.
  • Piloted several innovative electronic program submittal and approval programs in partnership with FHWA and FTA. Those programs are still being used today.
  • Routinely coordinated, activities involving the agency Districts and several Offices within the Department, the MPOs, the Office of the Governor, local governments, the MPOAC, Federal Highway Administration and other Federal and state agencies as required.
  • Forecasted federal and apportionments and allocations for several discretionary and statewide programs for the State of Florida.
  • Represented the State and state processes in multiple peer exchanges and assisted other states in adopting many of the systems they reviewed.

Governmental Affairs Laision & Assistant Lobbyist

Florida Home Builders Association
1979 - 1985
  • Chaired the Association's Political Action Committee (PAC) and Committee of Continuous Existence (CCE)and maintained the bank accounts for both committees. Acted as Liaison between the membership an the state legislature on industry issues.
  • Assisted chief lobbyist in Florida and Washington DC with industry lobbying actions.
  • Drafted industry related legislation for submission by House and Senate sponsors
  • Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to advance policy initiatives.
  • Conducted research on legislative issues to inform advocacy strategies and positions.
  • Drafted position papers and communication materials for targeted audiences.
  • Collaborated with coalitions to align efforts on legislative priorities and outreach campaigns.
  • Organized events and briefings to engage legislators and promote awareness of critical issues.
  • part of the team that developed and worked annual Association conferences and conventions to include exhibition halls and working with vendors.


Education

Bachelor of Science - Criminology

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

MBA - Finance

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
01-1989

Skills

  • Political acumen and savvy
  • Relationship building
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Strategic planning
  • Team leadership
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Customer service
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Adaptability and flexibility - Semper Gumby

Timeline

Grant Program Manager

Federal Highway Administration
08.2022 - Current

Lead Transportation Planner

Federal Highway Administration
12.2009 - 10.2013

Transportation Planning Specialist

Federal Highway Administration
05.2002 - 08.2022

Emergency Management Coordinator

Federal Highway Administration
2002 - 2023

Statewide Metropolitan Planning Coordinator

Florida Department of Transportation
1990 - 2002

Governmental Affairs Laision & Assistant Lobbyist

Florida Home Builders Association
1979 - 1985

Bachelor of Science - Criminology

Florida State University

MBA - Finance

Florida State University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE