John “Danny” Dragg

Project Manager

Professional Profile

John “Danny” Dragg has more than 14 years of experience with FEMA, CDBGDR, CDBG-MIT Program / Project Management and Administration. He has vast experience managing new housing construction and rehabilitation programs, FEMA-GO, and NRCS Closeout procedures. For 9 years, Danny served the State of Louisiana Office of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit as a CDBG-DR Housing Administrator and Compliance and Monitoring Subject Matter Expert. He has managed teams and multiple high-profile grantee programs for multiple disasters, helping applicants navigate specific requirements of the CDBG program. He also served as the CDBG-DR/CDBG-MIT Subject Matter Expert on Stuart Consulting Group’s Grant Management team for the Harris County, TX Flood Control District Disaster Recovery Program. Danny has administered and managed over $150 Million in CDBG funds for various housing programs in areas stricken by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. His extensive knowledge of and experience in CDBG rules and regulations will make him a solid Project Manager for this initiative.

Areas of Expertise

CDBG-DR Housing Administration

Program/Project Management

Housing Construction
and Rehabilitation

FEMA-GO and NRCS
Closeout Procedures

Representative Projects

PLEXOS GROUP, LLC – April 2023 TO CURRENT
Project Manager
City of Galveston CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT Projects

• Project Manager for the 55 million CDBG-MIT South Shore Pumping Station Project and 17.5 Million 59th Street Water Storage Tank Regional Mitigation Project.
• Work directly with project engineers on Professional Engineering Reports (PER).
• Attend engineering meetings as needed.
• Prepared and submit CDBG-MIT application and contract amendments.
• Work directly with environmental consultants.
• Assist with draw request procedures for the City including the uploading of information into the GLO TIGR System of Record.
• Prepare Engineering Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the City.
• Prepare and submit Request for Information (RFI) from the GLO.
• Prepare David-Bacon and Related Acts Policies and Procedures.
• Prepare monthly activity and status reports.
• Attend weekly meetings with the City.
• Prepare public engagement notices.
• Ensure all policies and procedures adhere to HUD CDBG compliance regulations.

STUART CONSULTING GROUP – DEC 2018 TO OCT 2022
Project Manager
Harris County, TX Flood Control District Disaster Recovery Program

• Prepared CDBG applications for Harris County Flood Control District.
• Oversaw submission of over 300 million in CDBG-MIT applications and over 50 million in CDBG-DR applications.
• Ensured all applications meet HUD’s CDBG Code of Federal Regulations and responded to all Request of Information (RFI) requests.
• Approved and submitted new income survey methodology to Texas General Land Office; because of this timely approval, Harris County Flood Control District was able to proceed on two projects totaling over $40 Million in CDBGDR funds.
• Implemented CDBG compliance measures.
• Reviewed Grantee’s management policies and procedures; verified adherence to CDBG regulations.
• Managed preparation and submittal of all CDBG Grant Administration proposals.
• Worked closely with Texas General Land Office, Harris County Community Services Department, Harris County Community Services Department, and City of Houston in developing infrastructure projects for Harris County Flood Control District.
• Reviewed and interpreted Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA), and Hydrologic / Hydraulic (H&H) studies.
• Reviewed Professional Engineering Reports (PER’s), and phase one and two Environmental reports.
• Interacted with senior staff from local, state and federal government to expedite projects written/funds obligated – DR4332TX-HARVEY.
• Coordinated with sub-grantees and FEMA PDMG’s to ensure compliance with all Force Account Labor and Equipment requirements, Public Assistance program requirements, and timely project closeouts for DR4332-TXHARVEY, DR4223TX-MEMORIAL DAY FLOOD, and DR4269TX-TAX DAY FLOOD.

STATE OF LOUISIANA – MAY 2005 TO NOV 2017
Project Manager
Office of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit

• Conferred with Grantees on initial application submission and assisted them throughout the entire project delivery process on infrastructure, housing, mitigation, rehabilitation and other projects.
• Scheduled site monitoring visits in 13 disaster-stricken parishes throughout Louisiana.
• Reviewed active CDBG Programs for compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations and local and state CDBG guidelines; ensured that Grantees were adhering to the State of Louisiana’s CDBG Disaster Recovery Grantee Administration Manual; and reviewed Grantee procurement policies and procedures for accuracy.
• Performed on-site compliance audits that ensured Grantee’s financial and bookkeeping systems adhered to mandated guidelines, the Code of Federal Regulations, and local and state CDBG rules for Section 3 and Davis Bacon.
• Notified Grantees of issues discovered during audit process.
• Administered and managed over $150 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for various housing programs in parishes stricken by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.
• Provided ongoing assistance on eligibilities and allowable costs.
• Provided direction on writing program Policies and Procedures manuals.
• Assisted with design of the program and Scope of Work; provided instruction and direction on procurement procedures.
• Instructed on homebuyer eligibilities.
• Conducted onsite visits/conference calls in development stages of the program; monitored monthly closed loans.
• Provided necessary assistance as a documentation/recordkeeping resource during HUD audits.
• Approved draw requests and allowable program costs.

Education

B.A., Journalism,
Louisiana State University

Skills / Certificates

• TX CDBG Department of
  Agriculture – Certified CDBG
  Grant Administrator
• National Development Council
  Home Ownership Finance Certification
• National Development Council
  Rental Housing Development
  Finance Certification
• Housing and Quality Standards Inspection Certification
• Louisiana Dealer Services
  Finance Certification
• Louisiana Real Estate License
• NMLS Mortgage Banker License
• HUD Section 3 Training
• Louisiana State Licensed Home Inspector