Joseph Villegas, OCEM

Joseph Villegas 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 brings over 20 years of leadership in emergency management and disaster recovery with expertise spanning public assistance program management, interagency collaboration, and business development.

Throughout his career, Joseph has successfully led recovery efforts for large-scale disasters. He managed the Maui Wildfires Right-of-Entry Program, overseeing interagency coordination and facilitating debris removal for over 1,100 properties. His leadership was pivotal during the responses to Hurricane Idalia and Hurricane Ian, helping state and local governments streamline FEMA Public Assistance processes.

Before joining Tidal Basin, Joseph held various influential roles, including Director of the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, where he secured federal funding to enhance infrastructure resilience. As Vice President of Operations at FSI North America, he showcased his ability to drive global growth and improve operational efficiency.

Dedicated to fostering innovation and community resilience, Joseph actively contributes to the field of emergency management through board positions, academic advisory roles, and professional publications.