September is National Preparedness Month, and, throughout the month, we are highlighting Hagerty employees working to support our clients’ disaster preparedness needs. During this fourth week of National Preparedness Month, we feature Managing Associates Amanda Wight and Tim Schaible.
Tell us about yourself – how did your career path lead you to Hagerty?
Amanda: As an undergraduate student at Western Illinois University, I was originally interested in studying criminal psychology; however, once I arrived, I learned about the emergency management degree program. The coursework combined my desire to learn more about law enforcement with a focus on disaster and emergency response.
I ended up getting a position at Hagerty working in Human Resources which allowed me to learn the ins-and-outs of the consulting world from proposals, to staffing, and project delivery. Now, six years later, I lead the Exercise Service Line for the Preparedness Division. During my time here, I have supported over 35 emergency response exercises from smaller discussion-based to massive, multi-site, to multi-day full-scale events. Additionally, I serve as the Deputy Lead for the Active Threat Service Line and as one of the leads supporting Hagerty’s Preparedness clients and growth on the West Coast.
Tim: I began my career with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) as a regional planner in public safety preparedness, where I worked closely with the Fire and Police Chiefs and Emergency Managers of all local, state, and federal agencies within the National Capital Region. I feel very fortunate to have served in this position where I was able to work with world-leading, public safety professionals and advance preparedness program efforts in one of the highest threat/hazard areas in the United States (US). It was during my time working with MWCOG that I learned about Hagerty Consulting and their reputation as an industry leader who provided programmatic development in the area of safety and preparedness.
What do you find most meaningful about the work you do here at Hagerty?
Amanda: It is always exciting to help create and deliver exercises that serve our clients’ needs as they prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. At the end of a project, it is a great feeling to know that my work directly helped a region, community, or organization better serve the needs of their residents or customers.
Tim: The most meaningful outcome for me, is the consistency with which Hagerty professionals deliver an exceptional product or service across a very diverse field of stakeholders.
Whether we’re serving a local jurisdiction, a federal department, a sole proprietor or small business owner, or even advising the public on preparedness tips, we go all in to make sure we not only satisfy the task at hand, but we continue to innovate and envision things that are beyond industry standards and most impactful for the community or user whom we serve.
We grow as a team that is driven by unique demands of diverse stakeholders. I appreciate the opportunity to work with emergency management professionals. We all share a unique mindset – we think about and plan for the things that most would not ever want to have to encounter or even consider. We are driven by a common purpose, but have such unique experiences, backgrounds, and general contexts to contribute significantly for enhancing organizational, family, and personal preparedness.
When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you spend it?
Amanda: I love spending some time with my puppy, Briz!
Tim: Family and community is everything to me. My wife and I take our beautiful children to the playground, the local firehouse to ride on the rigs, and make sure they understand the importance of community (WHILE HAVING FUN!).
Amanda Wight is a Managing Associate with Hagerty Consulting’s Preparedness Division. Amanda is an emergency management professional who has assisted clients nationwide in emergency preparedness activities such as the creation and execution of tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises focused on issues including active shooters; complex coordinated terrorist attack (CCTA); chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosives (CBRNE) incidents; counterintelligence operations; pandemic outbreaks; earthquakes, and continuity of operations (COOP). She is adept at developing and executing large full-scale exercises (FSEs) to include the integration of various stakeholders, as well as multisite and multiday exercises. At Hagerty, Ms. Wight has supported the development of active threat related plans, trainings, and exercises, throughout the country, and serves as the Deputy Lead for Hagerty’s Active Threat Portfolio.
Tim Schaible is a Managing Associate with Hagerty Consulting’s Preparedness Division and is a planning and emergency management specialist with over ten years of professional experience in emergency management and public safety. He has coordinated preparedness efforts with executives and subject matter experts from local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit, and private sector organizations.