OUR TEAM

Andrew brings more than two decades in emergency management and response operational and leadership experience to his role as Chief Operating Officer with ACDC. As a consultant, Andrew works with clients to develop risk reduction and consequence management strategies and programs that are unique to their needs, built on a foundation of equity, and prepare communities for whatever may lie ahead.

Immediately prior to joining ACDC, Andrew served as the Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management where he oversaw the state’s comprehensive planning, training, exercise, and community engagement programs to reduce risk across the state and manage the consequences from emergencies and disasters. Andrew also served as the governor’s Homeland Security Advisor and the Governor’s Authorized Representative for nine federal disaster declarations. In 2022, Andrew led the creation of the state’s first cabinet-level Department of Emergency Management replacing the previous office of emergency management that had been a division of the Military Department.

Andrew has been an active member of the response and emergency management community in New York and New Mexico, where he has worked for local and state government as well as the non-profit sector. He has served as a firefighter, public information officer, planner, search and rescue technician, emergency operations center manager, emergency medical technician, and other roles throughout his career.

Andrew is an honors graduate from John Jay College in New York City. He received his Master of Arts from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California. His thesis, Play Well With Others: Improvisational Theater and Collaboration in the Homeland Security Environment was published in 2013. Andrew is also a graduate of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and the FEMA Vanguard crisis leadership program. He is currently serving a three-year term on FEMA’s National Advisory Council (NAC) where he leads the Climate Subcommittee.

Andrew and his family live near Portland, Oregon. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys exploring Oregon’s coastline, mountains, rivers, deserts, and forests or fine-tuning his skills as a coffee roaster.

Dani is a graduate of the University of North Texas with an extensive, yet untraditional background.  After her first career as a middle school teacher, she dove into the Emergency Management industry just before the Covid-19 pandemic. As ACDC experienced exponential growth, so did her role and responsibilities within the company, landing her at COS.

As the Chief of Staff at AC Disaster Consulting, Dani has the opportunity to focus on strategic and operational projects that don’t always fall into the traditional realm of a corporate structure.  She tackles the unconventional challenges and takes ownership of the remarkable thought leadership within ACDC that drives innovation and growth.

Dani is a life-long learner and frequently participates in virtual learning opportunities and executive education programs, most recently being an in-person program at the University of Oxford- Said Business School.  She is also focused on corporate social responsibility training and initiatives, and leads philanthropic efforts at ACDC as the Advisory Chair to the Carrier of Hope Foundation.

Dani currently resides in a suburb of Dallas, TX with her daughter and their American Staffordshire, Bogart. In her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking, board games, and watching sports. Go Chiefs.

Erica Bornemann joined ACDC in June of 2023 and serves as Vice President of Planning and Risk Reduction where she is responsible for all matters of Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Risk Reduction, Planning and Preparedness, Climate Adaptation and Resilience programs.

Prior to this role, Erica served 16 years with the Vermont Division of Emergency Management (VEM), the last 6 of which she lead the Division as State Director after she was appointed by Governor Phil Scott in January, 2017.  During her time as Director Erica was elected by her state counterparts across the country to serve as the President for the National Emergency Management Association during 2021-22. She previously held positions as the Vice President, Regional Vice President as well as Preparedness Committee Chair and Vice Chair. Erica was the US Co-Chair of the International Emergency Management Group from 2019-21 and she also served on the Governor’s Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee, the State Emergency Response Commission, and co-chaired the Rural Resilience and Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Vermont Climate Council. Throughout her career with Vermont, she supported and lead the statewide response and recovery to 27 different federally-declared disasters including Tropical Storm Irene and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Since joining ACDC in June, Erica has worked with the State of Oregon on their Wildfire After-Action Report and crisis exercises/planning, as well as in an SME/Advisor capacity for the State of Vermont and multiple municipalities in response to their recent floods. Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Western New England College and a Master of Public Administration from Norwich University.

Cameron has 15 years of experience in engineering, environmental, and disaster consulting, working both internationally as well as throughout the United States. Through his experiences working in academia, engineering firms, as well as for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cameron has acquired skill sets in threats assessments and inventories, mitigation and resilience-based restoration, debris operations, as well as both regulatory and grant compliance. He worked directly for the CRC performing quality assurance and environmental and historical compliance reviews for multiple disasters nationwide. 

Cameron oversees ACDC’s SLED and FED Recovery Divisions, debris management, and our technical services programs including engineering, environmental and GIS. Cameron leads business development and facilitates client relationships through technical solutions, programmatic and project management, Owner’s Representative services, and grant management policy, eligibility and compliance.

During recovery efforts after Hurricane Ian, Cameron led Florida’s statewide debris operations including abandoned and derelict vessels, mangroves, wetlands and waterways, as well as private and commercial property including demolition. This included oversight of the monitoring and hauling firms, call center and case management teams, invoice review, validation and payment recommendations, community liaisons and public information, and various other oversight roles.

In his down time, Cameron immerses himself in a coastal lifestyle alongside his wife and three boys. He enjoys moments spent outdoors, whether he’s navigating the waves on a boat, casting a fishing line, or spending time around the bonfire with friends and family.  Beyond his passion for the outdoors, he is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.

Taran brings 19 years of experience in disaster management for Federal and private partners, coupled with a strong track record of leading teams in technology and innovation.

She plays a pivotal role in driving operations and business development activities that not only enhance production but also garner industry recognition, all while maintaining a keen eye on program oversight across multiple engagements.

Taran is renowned for her prowess in designing and executing innovative business strategies to secure FEMA and HUD funding. Her expertise extends beyond traditional disaster management, as she actively guides senior-level policy decisions and champions innovative approaches to address complex challenges. Taran’s leadership acumen, along with her exceptional skills in message coordination and communication, relationship-building, and strategic decision-making, are invaluable assets in supporting Federal policies, plans, programs, key initiatives, and actions that impact stakeholders.

With a deep understanding of the intricate landscape of laws, policies, regulations, and other directives related to Federal contracting practices and vehicles, Taran is well-versed in navigating the complexities of government contracts.

Jen Sakrison brings 15 years of Human Resources leadership experience to ACDC. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and has held a variety of Human Resources roles in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Utah. She has experience managing and improving processes in the arenas of Human Resources Legal Compliance, Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Talent Management, Diversity, and Equity and Inclusion.

Her passion is problem solving and supporting strategies for business growth objectives while supporting employees’ engagement and career growth. She enjoys volunteering her time in her local Denver community as well as supporting small businesses as an HR Consultant.

Jen is originally from Oregon and enjoys traveling back as often as possible to visit family and friends. Now calling Colorado home, she enjoys spending time outdoors, paddle boarding, hiking, skiing, exploring new restaurants, and enjoying a relaxing day with a good book. She also enjoys self-development and pursuing ongoing education.

Shawna holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Central Florida and has spent the past 18 years leading marketing and business development efforts in the engineering and emergency management sectors. where she led multiple marketing, business development, and talent acquisition teams in the strategic and consistent growth of a dozen service lines companywide.

At ACDC, Shawna oversees all aspects of internal and external communications, brand management, and marketing strategy. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong track record of driving communication strategies that enhance brand reputation, engage a diverse array of stakeholders, and drive impactful marketing strategies. Her team also supports pursuit strategy, proposal management and delivery, strategic planning, and marketing research and analysis.

On a personal note, Shawna enjoys her charming (chaotic) life with her husband, 3 kids, 2 dogs, and a ton of extended family – all living in the beautiful Florida Space Coast. Shawna’s “in her spare time” section is full of the good stuff: beaches, boating, barbecues, the never-ending hustle of practices, games, and competitions, sushi date nights, and The Office reruns.

Bailey Farrell is a highly organized, detail-oriented, and diligent professional drawing upon nine years of experience in emergency management response and planning, and project management. She previously served with a Third-Party Logistics company as the Senior Project Manager responsible for the internal continuity program implemented internationally and the strategic planning and program management of Emergency Management and Response government contracts.

Before joining ACDC, Bailey’s previous responsibilities included direct client relationships to build, maintain, and implement all-hazard plans. As well as oversee daily operations of two strategically located warehouses, maintain vendor relationships/contracts, and expedite the procurement and coordination of transportation and labor services to aid multiple humanitarian efforts in a rapid deployment within 12-24 hours of activation. Bailey was a lead in the successful mobilization and response during the COVID-19 pandemic managing dry and refrigerated transportation resolutions, coordinating delivery for 1M+ meals, and the distribution of essential supplies in strict timelines.

Bailey is a subject matter expert in project management, training, business continuity, and contract compliance. As ACDC’s Senior Director of Project Management, Bailey helps to lead and implement a standard of excellence in all projects through ACDC’s project management framework, train all staff in project management skills, and provide clients with outstanding service. Bailey’s career has provided her with an extensive skill-set and real-world application that have shaped her into a dedicated leader and business professional.

Bailey is known for bringing innovative solutions through the lens of lean methodology. She presents strong communication, customer service, and organizational skills to assist in the success and growth of her projects, teams, and the company. Bailey’s background includes a dual-degree in Marketing and International Business from Grand Valley State University and began her career in a competitive Leadership Development program that provided her with skills necessary to be a driven, solution-oriented, communication-focused, and detailed leader and project manager.

Bailey hails from Detroit, Michigan loud and proud! She enjoys days on the lake with family and friends, tailgating for events, and anything true crime related. She has a strong passion for travel (21 countries and counting!) and is most excited for her and her husband-to-be to begin traveling with their new baby boy.

Rodney Isbell is a Senior Advisor for Quality Assurance, utilizing his dynamic experience and expertise in FEMA Public Assistance (PA) project development, response, logistics, management, compliance, and Stafford Act policy support. He utilizes his strong background in process improvements, FEMA policy, and safety and quality compliance to provide oversight and control in PA project development and completion.

He is adept at monitoring projects from startup to completion, including establishing and reviewing financial controls and processing and submitting Requests for Reimbursement (RFR).

His experience includes FEMA Public Assistance recovery, debris monitoring oversight, debris program auditing, disaster response, cost estimations, damage estimates, staff augmentation, Right-of-Entry program administration, quality control of project worksheets, technical assistance, and training for the many disasters he has worked. For example, debris monitoring oversight, debris program auditing, cost estimating for post-DRRA 428 projects, disaster response, Substantial Damage Estimates (SDE), Staff Augmentation (Ops Chief and ESF-7 Chief), ROE program administration, QC of PWs, technical assistance, and training following many disasters. The disasters worked were Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Michael, the COVID-19 Pandemic, Oregon Fires, Boulder Fires, KY Winter Tornadoes, East KY Flooding, and Hurricane Ian.

In addition to assisting with all recovery levels from site inspection to project closeout, Rodney was integral in implementing the Puerto Rico Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program to provide power and temporary shelter to more than 120,000 residents throughout Puerto Rico.

Molly Bargmann brings over 14 years of extensive local, state, and federal disaster recovery experience to her role. Specializing in FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Programs, Molly is renowned for her expertise in disaster recovery strategy and devising innovative solutions for maximizing community recovery. Her background is rich in incident response, recovery policy, grant monitoring, implementation, financial management, contract tracking, and grant compliance.

In her role as ACDC’s Director of Recovery (Federal), Molly leads the strategic development and management of the Recovery-Federal Division. She focuses on enhancing the company’s federal contracting and grant acquisition capabilities, particularly overseeing the pivotal Grant Solutions and Technical Services units. Her leadership is instrumental in guiding the division towards expanding ACDC’s federal presence, ensuring robust partnerships, and delivering comprehensive disaster recovery solutions to all clients.

Prior to her tenure at ACDC, Molly dedicated a decade to emergency management, planning, and recovery at the State of Nebraska, Lee County, FL and Adams County, NE Emergency Management Agencies. This period honed her skills in various Emergency Operation Center (EOC) environments, employing the Incident Command System in capacities such as State Coordinating Officer, Operations Chief, and Emergency Services Branch Director. Her experience encompasses managing responses to a diverse range of events including hazardous material spills, historic flooding, tropical storms, severe weather events, ice jams, and avian flu outbreaks. Notably, Molly was appointed by the Governor of Nebraska as the State Coordinating Officer (SCO) for seven Federally declared disasters, overseeing significant events like the 2019 Nebraska Flooding (DR 4420-NE) – the largest disaster in Nebraska’s history and the second-longest flooding disaster in FEMA’s records.

Molly is recognized for her innovative, tactical thinking and her authentic, communication-focused leadership style. She excels in building relationships, leveraging strategic partnerships, and collaborating with stakeholders to address complex challenges. Her academic credentials include a BA in Political Science with a minor in Earth and Space Science from the University of Washington, and a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from the University of Colorado-Denver. Further enriching her leadership skills, Molly has also attended executive leadership training at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Originally from Washington State and now calling Nebraska home, Molly is known for her competitive spirit and diverse interests ranging from gardening and painting to coaching her four kids in all their athletic pursuits.

Don holds a master’s degree in emergency Response and Planning from the University of Denver. Don has significant experience in emergency plan development, response, exercise development and fiscal operations. He has previous experience in municipal law enforcement and emergency management service.

Prior to joining ACDC, Don worked as a municipal and Federal law enforcement officer retiring as the Chief of the Department at the University of Denver.

Don’s experience includes patrol, investigations, community policing and as a school resource officer. Don has planning, logistics and operational experience with several large scale, high security events that include Presidential Debates & visits including from the Pope and other Heads of State.

Vanessa Gatto has over 18 years of varied and high-level experience in Emergency Management and debris management.  She has been with ACDC since its inception in 2018, and over the last five years, she has served clients on disasters nationwide. Vanessa assisted the City of Mexico Beach following Hurricane Michael where she guided the City through FEMA eligibility and oversaw reconciliation for data with haulers to ensure maximum FEMA validation and reimbursement. Vanessa was the Project Manager over the field staff and invoicing staff for the 2020 Labor Day Fires in Oregon, and a major contributor on the Debris Management Task Force.  In this niche Debris Oversite role, she managed over 130 firms supporting the debris removal of over 1 million acres and 4000 structures.

Vanessa and her team also responded to the 2021 Marshall Fire and Straight-Line Wind in Boulder County Colorado.  They created and staffed the Disaster Assistance Center to take phone calls and meet with property owners who sustained damages from this wildfire. Additionally, they facilitated the process of obtaining Right of Entry forms form from impacted residents and utilized data management tracking systems that helped map areas and develop work plans for debris cleanup.  Vanessa currently serves as the Operations Manager for the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Florida Statewide Debris Task Force for Hurricane Ian.  In this role, she manages the oversite of the monitoring and hauling firms directly in the field.  She also managed the invoice review and validation team as well as Mutual Aid claims for the Chipola Wildfires, Surfside Building collapse, Hurricane Ian, and Hurricane Idalia.

Prior to joining ACDC, Vanessa served as the Operations Office Manager for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). There, she supervised employees in three separate offices by training, evaluating, and directing all work and activities. Later as a consultant, Vanessa managed the hiring of more than 1,100 employees for various disasters, including the 2011 Winter Storm in Massachusetts and both Hurricanes Isaac and Sandy. This experience in rapid deployment and staff augmentation lends her expertise in the successful deployment of staff to regions affected by natural disasters nationwide.

She enjoys spending time with her family and spoiling her grandson.

Lucas Pagan brings over 10 years of experience to AC Disaster Consulting in Disaster Recovery working with State and Federal agencies, Local governing entities, elected officials and various stakeholder groups.

Throughout his career, Lucas has drafted, reviewed and closed thousands of Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation projects throughout New York, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Louisiana, Illinois, and Oregon. The range and depth of this recovery work has allowed Lucas to develop expertise in the field of Disaster Recovery. Lucas has witnessed the positive impacts of recovery efforts along with the multiplying effects of hazard mitigation actions. As a result, he strives to provide innovative ways to implement effective recovery strategies for clients across multiple grant programs. Lucas excels at planning and achieving complex goals while simultaneously working on multiple projects, and above all providing exceptional customer service.

Prior to entering the field of disaster recovery, Lucas studied Public Relations with a minor in Geography at Texas State University. He has taken valuable lessons from his course study and employs them daily in his work and client interactions.

Lucas likes to spend his free time with this wife and three dogs. That could range from hanging out at home watching basketball, to running around Austin checking out all of the great restaurants and breweries.

Amy has practiced as an active CPA in the State of Colorado for the last 25 years. She has over 28 years of financial and accounting experience in a wide variety of industries. She previously worked with Companies that range in size from Fortune 500 to small private equity. She began her career in public accounting at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and has held executive level Controller and CFO positions. She brings experience in a broad range of industries, including public accounting, manufacturing, venture capital, and strategic consulting.

Amy started with ACDC at the end of 2021, and has created a team that works diligently with our partners to ensure quality invoicing and adherence to contracts and terms. She has streamlined many of our financial processes and implemented multiple process automations as well as facilitating ACDC’s first Statement of Direct Labor, Fringe Benefits and General Overhead audit.

She always strives towards creating a productive, welcoming, and friendly work environment, encouraging every team member to achieve their very best to collectively accomplish the company’s goals. Her leadership mantra “Communication, commitment and positivity”. Along with management and finance accomplishments she is a devoted equestrian and likes to take her ATV out for off road adventures.

Benjamin, a seasoned Project Management Professional (PMP), brings over ten years of diverse experience in disaster, construction, and project management. As a FEMA Technical Assistance Contractor, he possesses deep knowledge in various FEMA programs, CDBG, and HUD projects.

His prior work includes managing recovery efforts from hurricanes, floods, biological events, and earthquakes. Notably, he played a significant role in assisting the governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands post-Hurricane Maria and Irma, as well as during the 2019-20 Puerto Rico earthquakes. His commitment extends to planning and implementing disaster recovery and resilience strategies across the U.S. Benjamin’s expertise in construction, project, and emergency management has been pivotal in delivering high-quality disaster recovery services to communities in need.

As Deputy Director of Recovery (SLED) at ACDC, Benjamin holds a vital role that encompasses team leadership, policy and compliance, and performance management. He excels in guiding a team of grants management professionals, fostering a collaborative culture, and ensuring adherence to relevant policies and project goals. His expertise extends to business development, where he contributes significantly to proposal development and strategy formulation.

Benjamin is instrumental in managing and enhancing ACDC’s grants programs, especially in the areas of hazard mitigation and public assistance, while adhering to regulatory standards. His commitment to professional growth and staying updated with regulatory changes is notable. He effectively oversees disaster recovery projects, aiming to maximize client reimbursements and diversify grant sources. Educated at Texas Southern University with a degree in Aviation Science Management and holding an associate degree in Computer Information Management, he is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a licensed independent insurance adjuster in Texas.

Benjamin Opara, while distinguished in his role at ACDC, also dedicates himself to a range of personal passions. He enjoys quality time with his family, engages in philanthropy by donating medicine and feeding the needy both overseas and in the US, and has a deep appreciation for music. Additionally, Benjamin finds relaxation and fulfillment in restoring motor vehicles.