Experiences

Education

Master of Community and Regional Planning University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, June 2008

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, December 1999

Associates of Science in Park Management West Valley College, Saratoga, CA, June 1997

Professional Experience

Mitigation Planner, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Bothell, WA, August 2009 – Present

  • Provide technical assistance in the development of State and local natural hazard mitigation plans.
  • Review natural hazard mitigation plans to ensure they meet Code of Federal Regulations.
  • Serve as Situation Unit Leader in the Region 10 Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC)
  • Implement the Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (MAP) program throughout Region 10.

Community Planner, MIG, Inc., Portland, OR, August 2008 – August 2009

  • Work with a multidisciplinary planning and design team.
  • Produce reports, planning analyses and documents, conduct public outreach, and assist with all facets of the parks, trails, opens space, and recreation planning process for agencies throughout the U.S.
  • Travel to client and community meetings.

Peace Corps Campus Representative, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, September 2006 – June 2008

  • Planned, promoted, and coordinated monthly Peace Corps information event on campus and in the community.
  • Produced monthly reports for supervisors detailing campus events and accomplishments.
  • Promoted the mission of Peace Corps to University students and Eugene community.
  • Independently provided an effective communication link between the University of Oregon and Seattle Regional Recruiting Office.

Research Assistant, Resource Innovations, Eugene, OR, October 2007 – June 2008

  • Conducted qualitative research on woody biomass utilization in Southern Willamette Valley.
  • Produced results for Lane County to consider in developing a woody biomass industry.
  • Independently interviewed 18 timber industry representatives in Lane County.
  • Analyzed data and produced results that contribute to the body of knowledge in rural economic development and renewable energy planning.

Independent Website Manager, Eugene, OR, October 2005 – June 2008

  • Manage one professional and one personal website.
  • Design with HTML and CSS programming.
  • Utilize Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3, and FTP programs.

Planning Consultant, University of Oregon Community Service Center, Eugene, OR, January 2007 – February 2008

  • Supervised the successful completion of two community projects.
  • Developed the 2008-2013 Internal Strategic Plan for the Futures Council, a community development nonprofit organization.
  • Produced the 2020 Tillamook County Strategic Vision Plan.
  • Designed and implemented an effective public participation process through mail surveys and community forums.
  • Wrote technical reports communicating results and analysis of household surveys.
  • Researched, compiled and analyzed census and community data for the Oregon Coast Natural Hazard Risk profile report.

Website Designer, Sun Microsystems, Menlo Park, CA, October 2005 – June 2006

  • Provided computer assistance to the Sun Microsystems Partner Advantage Team.
  • Designed computer lab network diagrams to create institutional memory.
  • Produced 15 website mockup flowcharts for clients.
  • Collaborated with two supervisors, computer engineers, project managers, database mangers, program testers and web designers to meet project goals.

Environmental Educator, Peace Corps, Republic of Armenia, June 2004 – September 2005 

  • Developed environmental education curriculum for a school of 500 youth and 50 Peace Corps volunteers.
  • Facilitated and organized four weekly environmental clubs for Armenian youth.
  • Collaborated with community based organization in economic development opportunities in northern Armenia.
  • Served as a group leader for 10 youth at a summer environmental camp.
  • Served as a liaison for USAID funded micro hydropower and biogas projects.
  • Planned and implemented a $500 school remodeling project through a Peace Corps Small Project Assistance grant.

Assistant Fire Engine Operator, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral, CA, October 2002 – May 2004       

  • Supervised daily operations of a US Forest Service fire engine (i.e. inspections, maintenance and inventory).
  • Supervised four engine crew members in initial attack operations.
  • Supervised up to 13 firefighters during fuels projects and prescribed burns.
  • Collaborated with supervisors in the development of two prescribed burn plans.
  • Assisted in training crewmembers in the use of engine operations and firefighting tactics.
  • Completed fire reports, time reports, travel vouchers, and accident reports in a timely and efficient manner.

Assistant Fire Engine Captain, Malheur National Forest, Burns, OR, May 2001 – October 2002

  • Supervised two firefighters on the daily operations of a US Forest Service fire engine (i.e. inspections, maintenance and inventory).
  • Implemented Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service safety standards and policies.
  • Directed fire suppression efforts for fire personnel.
  • Participated in a variety of forest management projects with goals of fuels reductions and community safety.

Search and Rescue Technician, City of San Jose, Marin and Harney Counties, Yosemite National Park, September 1995 – September 2002                                                

  • Organized and facilitated monthly trainings as the Training Coordinator for Harney County.
  • Supervised up to 10 team members under stressful conditions in safe search, rescue, and recovery operations.
  • Performed with team members in over 50 water, low and high angle searches, rescues and recoveries in technical rope rescue, medical administration, and patient packaging and care.

Program Assistant, West Valley Community College, Saratoga, CA, September 1996 – April 2001

  • Assisted in the instruction, supervision, and evaluation of four Intermediate Outdoor Skills courses, two Advanced Outdoor Skills courses, and three Mountain Medicine courses.
  • Provided expertise in safe and efficient rescue operations, rope handling skills, set-up and operations of low-angle rescue systems, and incident management.
  • Taught students how to manage emergency incidents in wilderness settings, improvise medical care, construct carrying devices with minimal resources, and manage resources.

Band Manager/Drummer, BKG Entertainment, San Jose, CA, August 1996 – September 2000

  • Managed show bookings, merchandise inventory and public relations.
  • Managed annual budget of $15,000.
  • Designed, coordinated and implemented multiple national tours.
  • Produced and distributed two full length albums that sold more than 4,000 units.
  • Performed 290 shows to audiences as large as 4,000.

Wildland Firefighter, Bureau of Land Management, Prineville, OR, June 1998 – August 1998

  • Served with a fire crew member on a Type 6 fire engine.
  • Safely performed firefighting operations in stressful environments.
  • Participated in prescribed burns to meet range management goals.
  • Operated independently and with crew on maintenance projects.

Honors and Awards

  • 2008 Catalyst Award recipient, University of Oregon Planning, Public Policy and Management Department
  • 2008 International Symposium on Society and Resource Management Student Scholarship recipient, University of Vermont
  • 2006-2008 Graduate Teaching Fellowship, University of Oregon
  • 2007-2008 Ellen M. Pennell Scholarship recipient, University of Oregon
  • 2007 Recognition Award for Career Development and Recruitment, University of Oregon Career Center
  • 2004 National Park Service On-The-Spot Award, Lassen Volcanic National Park
  • 2003 National Park Service Star Award, Lassen Volcanic National Park

 

Languages

  • Eastern Armenian: Novice in reading, speaking, and writing.

Unpublished Manuscripts and Projects

  • Holt, Brett. 2008. Perception to Inception: Assessing Contractor Capacity to Utilize Woody Biomass for Energy Production in the southern Willamette Valley, Oregon. Masters TerminalProject. University of Oregon, Eugene

Presentations

  • Implementing the Discovery Process in FEMA Region X. Panelists at the National Risk Analysis Directorate Conference. Kansas City, KS. December 12-14, 2011.
  • Social Dimensions of Biomass Energy: Forestry, Wildland Fire Risk, Biomass Energy and Utilization. Panelists at the Fourteenth International Symposium on Society and Resources Management: People and Place, Linking Culture and Nature, Burlington, VT. June 10-14, 2008 (Becker, D., M. Stidham, B. Holt).
  • Perception to Inception: Assessing Contractor Capacity to Utilize Woody Biomass for Energy Production in the southern Willamette Valley, Oregon. Presented to the Willamette Valley Biomass Working Group, Eugene, OR. June 4, 2008 (Holt, B.)
  • Opportunities Abroad: Serving in the Peace Corps. Presenter at twelve monthly Peace Corps community sessions, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. September 2006 – June 2008 (Holt, B.)
  • Teaching Abroad: Let Peace Corps Be Your First Stop. Invited to speak at the New Beginnings Education Workshop, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. February 22, 2008 (Holt, B.)
  • Tillamook County Vision Plan Update. Project findings and recommendations presented to the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners, Tillamook, OR. January 23, 2008 (Holt, B. and R. Parker).
  • An Update on the Strategic Visioning Process. Presented to community leaders of Tillamook County, Manzanita, OR. May 16, 2007 (Holt, B.)
  • The Strategic Visioning Process and How It Relates to Tillamook County. Presented to citizens of Tillamook County, Tillamook, OR. January 30, 2007 (Holt, B.)
  • Peace Corps experiences serving in Armenia. Invited to speak to the Eugene Metropolitan Rotary Club. Eugene, OR. August 29, 2006 (Holt, B. and L. Holt).
  • Armenia Tree Project Curriculum Development. Facilitated workshop with Armenian volunteers with the Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development and Armenian Tree Project. Yerevan, Armenia. August 18-19, 2004 (Holt, B.).

Extension and Service

  • Committee Member, Eugene Earth Day Steering Committee (December 2007 – April 2008)
  • Student Representative, Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association (April 2007 – March 2008)
  • Committee Member, Graduate Student Selection Committee, Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon (February 2008)
  • Host Parent, U.S. State Department Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, (August 2006 – June 2007)
  • Committee Member, Student Advisory Committee, Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon (September 2006 – May 2007)
  • Elected Member, Peace Corps Armenia Environmental Awareness Initiative Committee (September 2004 – September 2005)

Specialized Training

  • Project Management and Design, U.S. Peace Corps, Yerevan, Armenia (2005, 40 hours)
  • Crew Supervisory Academy, Department of the Interior, Sausalito, CA (2003, 80 hours)
  • Northern California Engine Academy, U.S. Forest Service, Sacramento, CA (2003, 80 hours)
  • Fire Instructor Training, California State Fire Marshal, San Bernardino, CA (2002, 40 hours)
  • Rope Rescue Technician I/II, CMC Rescue School, Bend, OR (2002, 40 hours)
  • Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290), U.S. Forest Service, John Day, OR (2001, 24 hours)
  • Interagency Helicopter Training (S-217), Bureau of Land Management, Apple Valley, CA (2001, 40 hours)
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), California State Fire Marshal, Mission College, Santa Clara, CA (1997, 120 hours)

One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am – a reluctant enthusiast…a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the west; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, encounter the Grizz, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breath deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for awhile and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much: I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk bound men with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this: YOU WILL OUTLIVE THE BASTARDS.”

-Edward Abbey