Here at Hagerty, we truly believe the advantage is our people. Throughout the months of June and July, we will be profiling several of Hagerty’s Response professionals – many of whom have been deployed continuously over the past year helping our clients respond to COVID-19 and other natural hazards.
Tell us about yourself and how your career path led you to Hagerty Consulting.
Adam: I came to Hagerty Consulting because of my passion to leave people better than I found them.
Andrew: While studying abroad during undergrad, I was exposed to refugee camps and humanitarian relief operations in Uganda and realized ‘right then and there’ that I wanted to be in the business of helping people in their time of need. From there, I joined AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Corps where I deployed to Hurricane Harvey before heading into consulting. I joined Hagerty in March 2020, where I have had the pleasure to support multiple clients respond to and recover from COVID-19, Hurricane Hanna and Winter Storm Uri.
Taylor: After being unsatisfied with my previous career trajectory in business and marketing, I began searching for a career path that would allow me to help people and the world we live in at a macro level. After much searching, I discovered disaster management and pursued a master’s degree in Disaster Resilience Leadership at Tulane University. My professors spoke highly of Hagerty and the support we provided to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and I jumped at the opportunity to work for Hagerty following my graduation.
What do you find most rewarding about working in the field of emergency management, especially as a disaster response professional?
Adam Shen: I have a deep desire to help people and bring them hope and that’s what I enjoy the most about emergency management – being a bright spot in a dark time.
Andrew Perry: The most rewarding aspect of this job is the profound feeling of pride and purpose when helping communities persevere through a disaster and kickstart their recovery. These experiences, whether planning mass vaccination sites, procuring a million-plus gallons of potable water or securing much-needed federal recovery dollars, will always remain important milestones in my life.
Taylor Kemp: As a disaster response professional, there is just something incredibly rewarding about helping communities in their time of need. Working as a trusted partner with our clients to navigate intensely challenging times and to solve an ever-evolving list of problems is so gratifying and is at the heart of why I began a career in emergency management.
With hurricane season underway and the peak time for wildfires on the horizon, how should communities be preparing today?
Adam Shen: With wildfire and hurricane season around the corner communities should be aware of what shelters they can go to as well as stock up on supplies such as non-perishable food and water. Don’t wait until the last minute!
Andrew Perry: Communities should be actively reviewing their emergency plans and procedures. If yours hasn’t yet started, there is no better time than today! Don’t forget that recovery begins during the response; take time to ensure that your community has up-to-date measures in place to account for and document all disaster-related costs and damages.
Taylor Kemp: Communities should begin planning now at the household, business, and local government levels. There are many resources online to guide households and businesses on how to become better prepared, such as by putting together an emergency plan and gathering needed supplies. Local governments should also be reviewing and updating their response plans and checking supply levels to be best positioned for a response.
FUN FACTS
What are you passionate about outside of work?
Adam Shen: I am very passionate about my fitness as well as photography outside of work.
Andrew Perry: Austin FC. Austin established its first professional sports team this year and I have been all in! I am a member of the team’s supporter group, Los Verdes, and plan to attend as many home games as I can.
Taylor Kemp: I really enjoy training in martial arts, primarily in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as spending time outdoors with my dog, Blue.
Where is one place in the world you would like to travel and why?
Adam Shen: I would love to travel to the Maldives to see the clear water and lay on a hammock above the ocean.
Andrew Perry: Nepal. I spent a year in the Everest region following undergrad and fell in love with culture and people. When I have the chance to take an extended vacation, I would return in a heartbeat.
Taylor Kemp: I absolutely love traveling and experiencing new environments and cultures, so there are many places on my bucket list! If I had to pick only one, I would love to visit New Zealand. From a young age, I’ve been drawn to the beautiful landscape and culture – where else can you find such stunning mountain ranges and sandy beaches side by side?
Adam Shen is an emergency management professional that currently coordinates intern development for COVID-19 response operations. Adams has experience in project management and professional development.
Andrew Perry brings four years of emergency management and disaster cost recovery experience. He has expertise in project management and grant administration services to state and local governments and private non-profit organizations. He has provided technical assistance in policy, compliance monitoring, grant oversight, reporting, payment reimbursement, and procurement across eleven major disaster declarations.
Taylor Kemp is an emergency management professional with experience in emergency preparedness and recovery, including active threat and Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack (CCTA) planning, training, and exercise development, as well as after-action reporting, cost recovery, and hazard mitigation.