Michael Plostock

Experience

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  BearingPoint

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2006

  Senior Consultant
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  George Washington University

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2002

  Conference and Events
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  Deloitte & Touche, LLP

  Jul 2006 - Oct 2009

  Manager
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  Knowledge Consulting Group

  Nov 2009 - Jul 2010

  Privacy Lead

  I developed a multi-phase plan to establish a comprehensive Privacy Program for an Executive-level Department and its 29 agencies, creating an enhanced Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Incident Response Plan and official guidance for System of Records Notices (SORN), Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA), and Privacy Threshold Analyses (PTA). I recommended improvements for privacy training and identified enhancements for the external Privacy website and the Department's intranet privacy portal. To measure compliance with federal privacy statutes, I created an assessment tool and authored a memorandum for the CIO to disseminate guidance. Additionally, I assisted in planning the Privacy Council meetings for Agency Officials for Privacy and responded to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Show less

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  U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration

  Jul 2010 - Dec 2012

  Analyst

  In my role, I served as the lead for implementing certain statutory requirements of the 2006 SAFE Port Act, where I authored a comprehensive 55-page report submitted to Congress. I successfully negotiated report language changes with senior leaders from TSA, USCG, DHS, and other agencies, ensuring alignment across organizations. My responsibilities included developing metrics and evaluating the effectiveness of biometric card reader deployments at 19 facilities and vessels across five regions in the U.S. I determined resource requirements and supervised a team of approximately eight contractors in both quantitative and qualitative analyses of reader performance and its operational impacts. As the principal liaison to the TSA Office of Legislative Affairs, I briefed congressional staff, drafted correspondence in response to inquiries, prepared briefing materials, and assisted in writing congressional questions for the record. Additionally, I represented TSA at various external meetings and conferences, including serving as a panelist at the 2011 Chemical Sector Security Summit and engaging with high-level representatives from the Australian Government during a foreign delegation visit. Show less

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  U.S. Department of Homeland Security

  Jan 2012 - Dec 2017

  Director for Communications and Operations (Asst Exec Sec)

  I restructured the teams responsible for communications to and from the Secretary and Deputy Secretary to address a significant budget decrease, streamlining operations from four teams to two based on the type of communication for greater efficiency. I also established an enterprise solutions team after high-profile incidents involving the Secret Service, uniting members from the Government and Public Affairs Division and the Secretary’s Law Enforcement Advisor to effectively manage congressional inquiries and communicate our commitment to reform. Additionally, I presented briefings and recommendations to political appointees and senior leaders on homeland security, intelligence issues, and critical infrastructure, while assessing public perceptions of specific DHS programs and overall effectiveness. Show less

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  FEMA

  Dec 2017 - now

  I was asked to lead a diverse team of over 400 personnel across the United States during a pivotal leadership transition, managing a first-of-its-kind $4 billion program to compensate individuals affected by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, the largest fire in New Mexico's history. Leveraging strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills, I secured a $98 million settlement for the replacement of a vital water treatment plant and facilitated a multi-party settlement agreement that resolved over 100 claimants' lawsuits, significantly expediting the claims adjudication process. Additionally, I spearheaded the development of robust policies for claims processing, focusing on maximizing compensation for claimants and enhancing operational efficiency. Show less I was selected to lead the Recovery Division during a detail assignment in a region responsible for 25% of all Presidentially declared disasters in 2023. My primary focus was on enhancing internal communication, developing team capabilities, clearly defining roles, and streamlining recovery efforts. I managed a diverse team of over 150 full-time and part-time staff, along with contractual support, to effectively implement disaster recovery programs. Additionally, I successfully facilitated the rollout of Individual Assistance Reform briefings to State Directors, Individual Assistance Officers, and key partners in the Region, fostering collaboration and alignment among all stakeholders involved in the recovery process. Show less As the principal advisor to the leadership of FEMA’s largest organizational unit, I supported the agency leadership in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from over 200 disasters nationwide, while managing a portfolio of disaster recovery grants exceeding $200 billion. I led daily cross-organization operation meetings, fostering coalitions across FEMA, DHS, and the White House to create efficient solutions to mission challenges. Serving as FEMA’s lead for the White House COVID-19 Response Team, I ensured alignment on operational priorities and facilitated briefings for senior officials on vaccination campaign progress. I planned and executed high-visibility missions following disasters like the Maui Wildfires and the Surfside condominium collapse, directly assisting affected communities and advising leadership on operational matters. Additionally, I provided strategic decision support for multi-billion-dollar programs impacting disaster survivors, resulting in enhanced outreach efforts that yielded over 250,000 calls and $60 million in additional assistance. I also developed a strategic plan to modernize FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center, collaborating with key offices to upgrade infrastructure and enhance interagency response capabilities. Show less As Senior Advisor to the Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy and Program Analysis (OPPA), I collaborated with key leaders on policy development, resource planning, and compliance with the Defense Production Act. I provided strategic guidance in finalizing FEMA's 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, ensuring stakeholder alignment and measurable progress metrics. I also contributed to the Administrator's Annual Planning Guidance and Resource Allocation Plan (RAP), translating strategic goals into actionable milestones. Additionally, I managed daily operations, set performance expectations, and oversaw a $20 million budget while advising on operational and administrative issues to ensure optimal performance and alignment with best practices. Show less

  • Director, Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office

    May 2024 - now

  • Recovery Division Director (A)

    Jan 2024 - May 2024

  • Senior Advisor for Response and Recovery

    Aug 2019 - May 2024

  • Senior Advisor, Office of Policy and Program Analysis

    Dec 2017 - Sept 2019