Valarie Philipp, P.E., a 20+ year veteran of national FEMA disaster recovery experience, recently joined GrantWorks, Inc. as its Vice President of Disaster Recovery Programs. Based in Florida, she will provide strategic guidance and technical expertise to clients nationwide and lead GrantWorks' FEMA public assistance recovery efforts across the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- GrantWorks, Inc., a recognized leader of federal and state grant administration and consulting services, is pleased to welcome Valarie Philipp, P.E., as its Vice President of Disaster Recovery Programs. Based in Florida, Philipp will provide strategic guidance and technical expertise to clients nationwide and lead GrantWorks' Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance recovery efforts across the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Philipp joins GrantWorks after 17 years with Witt O'Brien's LLC, where she held numerous technical and leadership positions, including PA Coordinator, FEMA PA Project Manager, FEMA PA Division Acting Practice Lead, and most recently, Associate Managing Director of Infrastructure. During that time, she performed as the management and operations lead for most FEMA PA grant recovery efforts in the continental U.S., working in 18 states within FEMA Regions II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, and X.
"We are thrilled to welcome Valarie to our team. Her disaster recovery expertise and passion align perfectly with our company's values and goals," said Bruce Spitzengel, GrantWorks' President and founder. "We believe her unique perspective will be instrumental in driving recovery through innovation to achieve our vision for a resilient future."
Philipp's extensive management experience encompasses multiple disaster occurrences and over 60 projects supporting client efforts to secure and retain FEMA disaster funding, including the 2023 South Florida flood event, the COVID-19 Pandemic, Superstorm Sandy, and multiple hurricanes throughout the East Coast and Southeastern regions. She also served at FEMA as a Technical Assistance Contractor providing recovery support as a Public Assistance Coordinator in Florida after hurricanes Frances, Jeanne, Katrina, and Wilma. Her many accomplishments include:
- 20+ Years of national FEMA disaster recovery experience
- FEMA Public Assistance Projects: Managed over $780 million in grant funds since 2017
- COVID-19 Recovery: Managed ~$500 million in grant funded client projects nationwide
- Hurricane Irma Recovery: Managed ~$125 million in grant funded projects in Florida and Georgia
- Hurricane Irma Recovery: Managed FEMA Disaster Debris Monitoring grant funds totaling over $35 million
"Valarie is the 'gold standard' of disaster recovery professionals and FEMA Public Assistance subject matter expertise," said Rick Faircloth, GrantWorks' Senior Vice President of State and Local Government Services. "She brings a wealth of knowledge, fresh perspectives, and a vibrant energy to our mission to provide impacted communities across the nation comprehensive disaster recovery solutions."
Prior to her career in emergency management, Philipp served as a structural engineer where she performed forensic investigations, structural analysis, repair design, construction period services, and litigation support for structural failures, construction defects, and natural disasters. She studied and analyzed various types of structures, such as low-rise and high-rise facilities, parking structures, bridges, retaining walls, storm sewers, residential facilities, and notably assisted with the review of obligated FEMA Disaster Survey Reports (DSRs) related to the 1994 Northridge Earthquake to determine post-disaster cause of damage.
"I am honored to be part of GrantWorks and its team of servant leaders where I can continue our authentically aligned goals to provide support and guidance to governmental agencies through the cycle of emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation," said Philipp. "My primary goal working with grant recipients is to secure successful outcomes that will ensure a future with resilient communities."
Philipp holds a Master of Engineering degree with a Structural specialty and is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida and Georgia.
ABOUT GRANTWORKS
Founded in 1979, GrantWorks is a national provider of highly specialized grant administration, program management, and technical consulting services for state, county, and city governments in the areas of infrastructure, housing, community and economic development, broadband, disaster recovery, mitigation, and resilience. Over the past 40+ years, the firm has secured and managed over $8 billion in federal and state grant-funded projects while helping over 600 of our nation's communities become smarter, stronger, and more resilient. Visit www.grantworks.net to learn more.
Media Contact
Rachel Henson, GrantWorks, Inc., 1 6019885949, [email protected], www.grantworks.net
SOURCE GrantWorks, Inc.
Share this article