Ana Kerr
Newburyport,MA
Summary
Detail-oriented and results-driven Grants Management Specialist with extensive experience in hazard mitigation, grant administration, and program analysis. Skilled in evaluating complex program eligibility issues, developing program tools and guidance, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Strong expertise in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs, including HMGP, PDM, and FMA. Adept at applying federal regulations, including Stafford Act, 44 CFR, and 2 CFR, to ensure compliance and program efficiency.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Analyst, Monitoring and Closeout Section
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
02.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, focused on coordinating the federal government's response to natural disasters
- Lead program analysis and oversight for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements
- Support the implementation of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) by analyzing legislative changes and advising management on compliance strategies
- Develop and manage Tableau dashboards to track program funding, project progress, awards, and closeouts
- Conduct in-depth monitoring and evaluation of grant programs, assessing key performance indicators and ensuring programmatic compliance
- Maintain and update SharePoint, DMC tracker, and GONE Act Report, improving data transparency and reporting accuracy
- Key Accomplishments:
- Designed a flowchart and process for tracking and closing management costs under DRRA, streamlining regional implementation
- Improved grant monitoring processes by developing ad-hoc and weekly reports to enhance decision-making in closeout operations
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, focused on coordinating the federal government's response to natural disasters
Grants Management Specialist, Monitoring and Closeout Section
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
08.2020 - 02.2023
- Company Overview: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, focused on coordinating the federal government's response to natural disasters
- Provided technical assistance and program oversight for FEMA grant recipients, ensuring compliance with federal grant regulations
- Conducted financial reviews and analysis of closeout packages, tracking grant expenditures and ensuring timely project closeouts
- Developed detailed guidance and instructions to streamline HMA grants management, ensuring regulatory compliance
- Monitored performance periods, financial obligations, and closeout deadlines, advising stakeholders on necessary actions
- Led training sessions for HMA Grant Specialists, enhancing program knowledge and closeout efficiency
- Key Accomplishments:
- Developed standardized “How-To” guides for key Monitoring and Closeout processes, improving operational efficiency
- Created and maintained weekly EDW reports, ensuring grant tracking accuracy and compliance with deadlines
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, focused on coordinating the federal government's response to natural disasters
Grants Management Specialist (Mitigation)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
01.2017 - 08.2020
- Company Overview: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, focused on coordinating the federal government's response to natural disasters
- Managed all aspects of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) projects for New Hampshire and Rhode Island, overseeing applications, scope modifications, and compliance reviews
- Evaluated project applications for eligibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental compliance using HMA Guidance and technical bulletins
- Provided strategic guidance to state and local partners, ensuring projects aligned with state and local hazard mitigation plans
- Conducted post-award monitoring, ensuring grant recipients adhered to federal regulations and program policies
- Key Accomplishments:
- Led the review and approval process for 70 HMGP projects, securing funding for 52 eligible projects
- Spearheaded closeout initiatives, leading to the successful closure of 7 HMGP projects within 1.5 years
- Enhanced state-level program administration by analyzing Quarterly Reports and providing targeted technical assistance
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, focused on coordinating the federal government's response to natural disasters
Emergency Manager – Public Assistance Division
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
12.2013 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, focused on coordinating the federal government's response to natural disasters
- Supported Public Assistance (PA) disaster recovery operations, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders
- Conducted detailed financial analyses and performance tracking for disaster recovery grants
- Developed and maintained key tracking systems, including Final Review Tracker, PA Daily Planning Reports, and GONE Act Reports
- Assisted in the closure of 22 legacy disaster programs as part of FEMA’s Headquarters Disaster Closeout Initiative (DCI)
- Key Accomplishments:
- Created an innovative tracking process for state management cost (Category Z) projects, expediting grant closeouts
- Trained FEMA and state officials on Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) processes, improving data accuracy and compliance
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, focused on coordinating the federal government's response to natural disasters
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Nichols College
Dudley, MA05.1991
Skills
- Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants
- HMGP
- PDM
- FMA
- Stafford Act
- 44 CFR
- 2 CFR grant regulations
- Tableau
- SharePoint
- Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW)
- National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS)
- Data analysis
- Performance monitoring
- Financial oversight
- Training
- Stakeholder engagement
Technicalspecializedskills
- Expert in Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants, including HMGP, PDM, and FMA
- Strong knowledge of Stafford Act, 44 CFR, and 2 CFR grant regulations
- Proficient in Tableau, SharePoint, Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW), and National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS)
- Skilled in data analysis, performance monitoring, and financial oversight
- Fluent in Spanish and experienced in training and stakeholder engagement
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Program Analyst, Monitoring and Closeout Section
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
02.2023 - Current
Grants Management Specialist, Monitoring and Closeout Section
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
08.2020 - 02.2023
Grants Management Specialist (Mitigation)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
01.2017 - 08.2020
Emergency Manager – Public Assistance Division
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
12.2013 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Nichols College
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