Neal Jaeger

Neal Jaeger brings over 20 years of emergency management and logistics experience to Tidal Basin, with a strong focus on post-disaster debris operations. His background includes more than a decade of overseas work in high-pressure environments and extensive U.S. recovery operations supporting municipalities and state agencies.

Since 2023, Neal has served as a technical advisor to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), playing a key role in statewide coordination and oversight of wildfire debris removal operations. He supports HIEMA’s leadership within the Debris Task Force and works closely with FEMA, USACE, EPA, and multiple state and county agencies to ensure regulatory compliance and interagency alignment on one of the largest debris missions in the nation—approaching $1 billion in recovery costs.

Neal’s past assignments also include residential damage assessments for the Florida Division of Emergency Management following Hurricane Ian and data and reconciliation support for debris operations during Hurricane Ida. His expertise spans automated debris management systems (ADMS), GIS tools, procurement and inventory systems, and large-scale field operations.

Respected for his technical skill, steady leadership, and collaborative approach, Neal is committed to helping communities navigate disaster recovery with confidence, clarity, and compassion.