EVANSTON, IL – Hagerty Consulting, the nation’s leading emergency management and disaster recovery consulting firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Francisco Sánchez Jr. as Senior Advisor for Economic Development. With over two decades of experience in disaster response, economic recovery, and resilience planning at both federal and local levels, he brings a wealth of expertise to the firm.
Most recently, Sánchez was appointed to serve as Associate Administrator of the United States (US) Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (ODR&R) by President Biden in January 2022. He was the first non-banker and presidential appointee to lead the office. In this role, he led a comprehensive modernization of SBA’s disaster recovery operations. His efforts strengthened the agency’s lending infrastructure, improved access to capital, streamlined technology systems, and enhanced customer support. Under his leadership, the SBA delivered nearly $15 billion in low-interest disaster loans and supported over 1,500 federally declared disasters nationwide.
“Francisco has played a central role in some of the most complex and costly disaster recovery efforts in recent history,” said Steve Hagerty, President and Founder of Hagerty Consulting. “His expertise in federal recovery programs and economic development strategy will directly benefit our clients as they build stronger, more resilient communities.”
Throughout his career, Sánchez has led recovery operations for major disasters, including Hurricanes Ian, Fiona, and Helene, the 2023 Maui wildfires, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, and the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Before joining the SBA, he served as Deputy Homeland Security and Emergency Management Coordinator for Harris County, Texas, the nation’s third-largest county. There, he managed emergency planning, recovery operations, public communications, and homeland security programs. His leadership was also critical in responses to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Harvey.
“Hagerty Consulting sets the benchmark for disaster recovery and resilience services,” said Francisco Sánchez Jr. “I’m excited to help communities not only recover from disasters but strengthen their economies and infrastructure to withstand future events.”
Beyond his operational leadership, Sánchez is a respected crisis communication and disaster leadership expert. He is a frequent speaker at national and international emergency management conferences and serves as an Adjunct Professor and Advisory Board Member at the University of Houston’s (UH) Hobby School of Public Affairs.
A proud Texas native, he holds a bachelor’s degree from UH and a master’s degree in public administration from Sam Houston State University (SHSU). In 2015, he received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to public service.
At Hagerty, Sánchez will support governments and organizations nationwide. His work will focus on advancing economic recovery initiatives, navigating federal disaster assistance, and building long-term resilience to address increasing climate and infrastructure-related risks.
About Hagerty Consulting
Hagerty Consulting is the nation’s premier emergency management and homeland security consulting firm. We help clients across the public and private sectors prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against disasters. With deep expertise in federal funding, disaster cost recovery, resilience planning, and crisis management, Hagerty helps build a safer, more prepared nation.
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Jessi Widhalm | Communications Director