JONATHAN GARZA
1622 St. Mary St.  Jackson, MS 39202  Phone: 504.460.0485  E-mail: jrgarza2@yahoo.com
EDUCATION
Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, MS
JD Candidate May 2011
▪ Chair, Mississippi College Chapter of Habitat for Humanity
▪ President, Federal Bar Association
▪ Member, Health Law Society
▪ Member, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Completed 36 hours toward MPA
University of Louisiana – Monroe, Monroe, LA
BA in Government 2001
EXPERIENCE
Logistics/Policy Lead and Facility Manager for LA Road Home Program, May 2006-April 2008
Shaw Group, Environmental and Infrastructure, New Orleans, LA
The Road Home Program was a federally funded , state administered disaster recovery program
overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at the federal level and
the Louisiana Recovery Authority(LRA) at the state level Served, on “as needed” basis, as
Deputy Task Manager responsible for organizing, planning, executing, controlling, and closing
phases of project involved in preparing documents for archival. Set-up, opened, and operated
Housing Assistance Centers for the Program; developed the Home Evaluation process, consistent
with applicable state and federal regulations as required by client. Supervised personnel;
developed forecasts and budgets with Project Controls staff for different project phases;
documented changes in policy and ensured implementation to operations. Assisted with
development of proposals for opportunities involving commercial, state, and local government
industries; conducted research in areas to expand business opportunities in core competencies.
Developed Project Charter; outlined objectives, approach, organization, and scope.
Policy Specialist, May2004-May 2006
City of New Orleans, Office of the Mayor, New Orleans, LA
Implemented the Terrorism Early Warning Program for the New Orleans Urban Area Security
Initiative; provided analysis and assessments of terrorist tactics and trends; represented Office of
Homeland Security for issues involving critical infrastructure protection, intelligence sharing and
incident response. Coordinated training initiatives for public safety personnel; served as Planning
Section Chief for New Orleans Emergency Operations Center.
 Oversaw staff of twelve during Hurricane Katrina/Rita response and recovery
 As Planning Section Chief, conducted Daily Brief to over 200 state, local, non-profit, and
federal personnel in Emergency Operations Center
Coordinated the Capability/Program Review and Investment Justification Plan for FY 2006
Homeland Security Grant Program; provided strategic/tactical planning for city government
operations/services pertaining to re-entry and re-population of New Orleans following Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita.
Mayoral Fellow, 2003 – 2004
City of New Orleans Chief Administrative Office/Homeland Security, New Orleans, LA
Provided analysis and recommendations to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer in the areas of
government reorganization, special events, and insurance; published articles for Civil Service
Newsletter; staff liaison to Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee. Created strategic planning
process for economic initiatives regarding military installations; represented Office of Homeland
JONATHAN GARZA
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Security (OHS) in meetings regarding Military Affairs and provided analysis and
recommendations to the Director.
AmeriCorps National Service Volunteer, 2002-2003
Delta Service Corps, New Orleans, LA
Provided tutoring, organizing, and planning services for non-profit community center; organized,
instructed, and evaluated after-school and summer education programs.
SKILLS AND
CERTIFICATIONS
FEMA, Emergency Management Institute
Introduction to National Response Plan; Exercise Design; Developing and Managing
Volunteers; Leadership and Influence; Decision Making and Problem Solving; Citizen
Preparedness; Principles of Emergency Management; Emergency Management Planning;
National Incident Management System; Introduction to Incident Command System,
California Office of Emergency Services
24Hour Intelligence Analysis Course
Office of Domestic Preparedness
Enhanced Risk and Threat Assessment
Basic Threat and Risk Assessment
Secret Service Intelligence Division
Terrorism Trends and Tactics
Project Management Related Training
Microsoft Basic Excel,
Improving Managerial Effectiveness
Problem Solving: Root Cause Analysis
Microsoft Project
Shaw E&I Project Management Processes and Practices
AFFILIATIONS
AND
MEMBERSHIPS
COMMUNITY
SERVICE
International Association of Emergency Managers
American Society of Public Administration
Project Management Institute
The Infrastructure Security Partnership, Regional Disaster Resilience Task Force
American Bar Association, Student Member
Young Leadership Council
Ray Nagin for Mayor Re-election Campaign, Volunteer
Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer
Warren Riley for Criminal Sheriff Campaign, Volunteer
AmeriCorps National Service, Volunteer