Jeremy Speaks

Jeremy Speaks is the Deputy Director and Public Assistance & Recovery Programs Team Lead for Michael Baker International’s MER3 (Mitigation, Environmental, Response, Recovery & Resiliency) business vertical, which unites Tidal Basin Group, MLU Services, and Michael Baker’s EMR (Emergency Management & Response) team. He has over 12 years of experience in public assistance and grant management to guide federal- and state-funded recovery programs. In this role, he oversees grant portfolios for more than 20 government and NGO clients, mentors senior project managers, develops strategic project plans with measurable timelines, and ensures every initiative is delivered on time, on budget, and in full compliance with evolving FEMA regulations.

Throughout his career, Jeremy has been on the front lines of some of the nation’s most challenging disasters. He supported recovery operations for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma on the Gulf Coast; led long-term rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Sandy in New York; and managed closeout and grant administration for Hurricanes Irene, Tropical Storm Lee, Hurricane Florence, Tropical Storm Michael, and Hurricane Ida. More recently, he directed the State of Illinois’ COVID-19 pandemic response, overseeing the closeout of over 1,900 projects totaling $1.6 billion, and coordinated severe winter-storm and flood recovery in Texas and Iowa.

Jeremy’s technical acumen spans drafting comprehensive Project Worksheets (PWs), administering Section 428 Alternative Procedures, and conducting regional financial analyses that help clients secure progress and closeout payments. As an Applicant Authorized Representative in FEMA’s Grants Portal, he has guided stakeholders through complex policy changes, appeals processes, and funding requirements to retain essential project resources.

Prior to joining Tidal Basin in 2013, Jeremy served as a FEMA PA Project Specialist with Scion Management Solutions, where he authored PWs and managed grant submissions for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and Sandy across multiple jurisdictions, earning “Outstanding Employee Recognition”.

He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice/Police Science from the University of South Carolina and has completed numerous professional trainings and certifications, including HSEEP; ICS 200, 300, and 400; and NIMS courses in Multiagency Coordination Systems, Public Information Systems, and Resource Management. This blend of field experience, technical expertise, and formal training makes Jeremy a trusted partner in building resilient communities and maximizing public-investment returns.