October 2025 | Issue #39
Our newest (and tallest) office visitor: Jack Skellington.
As we kick off Q4 and the Halloween season, I’m proud to share that CONSTANT is on track for year-over-year growth on our top line. This success is fueled by the confidence of clients like FEMA, CBP, and Bay Area UASI, who continue to award us add-on and follow-on work. At the same time, we’re expanding our impact with projects supporting World Cup and Olympics readiness in partnership with LA City, DTRA, and TSA, while also adding new engagements in places like New Mexico. Together, these sustained relationships and new opportunities highlight the strength of our reputation and the value of our mission.
Looking ahead, Q4 will be pivotal. Last year’s strong wins in this quarter showed just how important this time is for securing new Federal work, which is essential to setting us up for a strong 2026. Our BD team is making a big push for Q4 wins, and I’m grateful for how our Ops team has surged to meet the uptick in demand from existing projects. We’re hiring to match this growth, and in a climate where many organizations are cutting back, we’re fortunate to be expanding—living our mission to make the world a safer place.
As we close out the year, we’ll also turn our attention to strategic planning for 2026, building on the foundation we’ve created together. Thank you for your dedication and resilience during this exciting season for our company.
-Michelle Constant, CEO
Pictured: Halloween with the family, 2024
Trey Brooke, Associate I
Trey joined CONSTANT as an Associate I, bringing over 22 years of emergency management experience across the public and private sectors at all levels of government. He began his career in local public health, focusing on maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, community health, and strategic planning. Originally from Traverse City, Michigan, Trey holds a BA in Linguistics and Spanish Literature from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in General Administration from Central Michigan University. Trey speaks seven languages with varying frequency, and has traveled extensively. Fluent in English and Spanish, he has lived in Spain and Colombia, and recently returned to his hometown. Outside work, he enjoys cooking, music, and time with his wife and two adult children.
Vicki Carberry, Senior Associate
Vicki joined CONSTANT as a Senior Associate with over 14 years of experience in emergency management, community resilience, and process improvement across federal agencies, higher education, and nonprofits. She most recently led policy development for FEMA Region 3’s largest grant initiative and served as a Senior Advisor to FEMA’s Continuous Improvement Program. Vicki holds a BA from Rowan University and an MA from Temple University, and brings a systems-thinking approach to complex challenges. Based in Philadelphia, she enjoys Muay Thai, exploring nature with her partner and dog Rue, and has a particular love for stone fruit-forward coffee.
Brandon Dandridge, Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Analyst
Brandon joined CONSTANT as an Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Analyst with over seven years of expertise developing curriculum for the Air Force Medical Service, ensuring warfighters receive world-class care worldwide. A retired Air Force veteran with 20 years of service, he carries forward the core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do into his civilian career. Brandon holds an Associate of Applied Science in Meteorology and Respiratory Care and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Based in central Texas, he enjoys being a jungle gym for his two boys, binging reality TV with his wife, gaming with friends, and traveling.
Brittney Davis, Associate I
Brittney joined CONSTANT as an Associate I, bringing over six years of experience in strategic planning, data analysis, and process improvement for federal programs. Previously a Program Data Analyst, she led initiatives like the OFAM FY 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and developed automated reporting tools using Power BI and Excel to enhance federal contract analysis. Brittney also served as a Lead Supervisor with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, managing a 24/7 call center and overseeing training and quality assurance. She holds a BS in General Science from Johnson C. Smith University, with certifications in Program Management, Six Sigma Green Belt, and Power BI. Brittney aspires to become a Data Scientist, specializing in predictive analytics and machine learning. Outside work, she enjoys traveling, watching animated movies, listening to jazz, and spending time with her daughter, Malaia, and dogs, Panda and Bella.
Jacob Lowry, ISD Analyst
Jacob joined CONSTANT as Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Analyst. He has 15+ years of experience as a designer in complex spaces like healthcare, education, and government. He has a BA in Interdisciplinary Design from Seattle University, a particular passion for accessibility, and approaches the work with curiosity and an understanding that there is always more to learn. Jacob lives in San Diego, CA and enjoys reading, traveling, playing tabletop games, karaoke, cooking, and relaxing at home with his wife, son, cats, and dogs.
Matt Rodriguez, Associate I
Matthew joined CONSTANT as an Associate I, bringing 15 years of experience in public safety and emergency management. He began as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and has supported preparedness efforts at the local, state, and federal levels, both domestically and internationally. A FEMA-certified Master Exercise Practitioner, Matt specializes in training and exercise design, group facilitation, and helping others think creatively and confidently. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, kayaking, traveling, and creating art with his wife and their foxhound puppy. A lifelong learner, Matt is always exploring new skills through reading and taking courses to learn new skills.
Natalie Shearin, Associate I
Natalie joins CONSTANT on October 6th as an Associate I after seven years with USAID, where she held roles in the Bureaus for Humanitarian Assistance and Asia. She brings expertise in program management, communications, and relationship building, with field experience in Poland and the Philippines supporting disaster response and regional operations. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with degrees in Global Studies and French, Natalie also studied and taught in France, sparking her passion for international travel and cross-cultural exchange. Originally from Northern Virginia, she now lives in Arlington with her partner and their cat, and enjoys fitness, cooking, scary movies, and planning her next adventure.
Kathryn Van Apedoh, Program Manager
Kathryn joins CONSTANT as a Program Manager, bringing over eight years of experience at FEMA, where she led communications for disaster responses including Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Helene, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also supported initiatives in civil rights, finance, and training. A former Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia, Kathryn led public health efforts focused on HIV, malaria, and maternal and child health. She holds an MPH from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a BA in Biology, Biochemistry, and History from Lawrence University, and is a certified PMP. Originally from Oregon, she enjoys traveling, reading, board games, and time with her husband and toddler.
October, November, & December Birthdays
As we celebrate another quarter of success, it’s important to recognize the birthdays of our incredible team members. Please join me in wishing a very happy birthday to those celebrating this quarter! Your hard work and dedication make a meaningful impact, and we’re grateful to have each of you on our team.
- October 18th – Lee Williams-Nagy
- October 24th – Matt Rodriguez
- October 30th – Jesseka King
- November 16th – Lynn Brown
- November 19th – Nora Caplan-Baylis
- November 22nd – Dan Smith
- December 6th – Kevin Koller
- December 13th – Sam Houchens
- December 18th – Dana Bell
Happy Birthday! May all the wishes you make for your candles come true!
October, November, & December Work Anniversaries
It’s important to recognize the hard work and dedication of our team members who are celebrating work anniversaries this quarter. Their continued contributions are a key part of our success, and we’re grateful for their impact on our growth. Please join me in congratulating them on reaching these significant career milestones!
- October 3rd – Lee Williams- Nagy – 3 Years
- October 3rd – Mona Lisa Bontty – 3 Years
- October 7th – Madalyn Bryant – 1 Year
- October 8th – Sloan Grissom – 7 Years
- October 13th – Shelia Sescoe – 3 Years
- October 16th – Jesseka King – 1 Year
- October 17th – Kim Hayward Buys – 3 Years
- October 21st – Ellie Jackson – 1 Year
- November 28th – James Meeks – 3 Years
Happy anniversary! Here’s to many more years.
BD Is All Treats and No Tricks
The BD team, in collaboration with Ops leadership, has continued implementing CONSTANT’s SLTT and Federal BD Strategies.
For SLTT, CONSTANT continues making significant strides, adding $1.6M in awards for Bay Areas Urban Areas Security Initiative’s (UASI) Data-Driven Disaster Planning Initiative, the City of Inglewood Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Annexes, and more. Of note, there has been a trend towards orals interviews for downselected SLTT proposals, including City of Inglewood, La Canada Flintridge After Action Report (AAR), and City of Malibu Evacuation Plan wins—big thanks to Nicole for coordination efforts and Ops team members for your professionalism and polish to seal the deal! In Q3, we submitted proposals valued at $2.5M; when combined with Q1-Q2, this totals $11.8M, just $200k away from reaching our 2025 submission goal.
For Federal, we continue building our infrastructure to effectively identify, prioritize, and resource opportunities and position ourselves to win through intelligence gathering and fostering strong relationships with clients and partners. In Q3, we submitted a $5M FEMA Planning & Exercise Technical Assistance solicitation but were not downselected. We await news on the $14M FEMA HMTAP opportunity submitted over the summer, which was originally cancelled but has now reentered the chat.
Kudos to Ops in clinching SBA and CBP OPR and OFAM option years for $4M in Q3 bookings! Currently, we are working a few exciting federal proposal efforts and anticipate a few more will drop by year’s end—we look forward to securing rewarding work for the team.
Thanks to all that have supported proposal content, reviews, and interviews this quarter. If you would like to learn more about BD processes and professional development opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Leading the Way on Major Event Planning
City of Los Angeles Major Events Symposium
On September 18, CONSTANT supported the City of Los Angeles’ symposium on emergency management planning for major special events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. The symposium included General Mangers from major City departments, as well as regional and national representatives including FIFA, LA County, Inglewood, and the LA28 Olympic Committee.
The CONSTANT team helped design an impactful agenda that included discussions on City leadership’s priorities, a recap of this year’s Club World Cup, planning for 2026 World Cup, adverse weather considerations, public safety considerations, 2027 Super Bowl LXI, and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The symposium also featured a case study of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park Bombing by Ellis Stanley from the City of Atlanta (Retired) and a brief TTX on EOC considerations for a cyberattack during a major event, facilitated by CONSTANT.
Engaging the Community in NorCal
Strong relationships between emergency management agencies and the communities they serve are critical to our disaster resilience. In Northern California, CONSTANT is working on several projects to better engage communities and community-based organizations.
Our team has deep relationships in the Bay Area that help us connect with the local jurisdictions and the community organizations they work closely with. Here are a few ways we’re doing that:
- With San Mateo County, we are launching a community survey on the County’s emergency preparedness needs, kicked off with an interactive Disaster Preparedness Day in August.
- With the Bay Area UASI, we are conducting over a dozen exercises focused on building core capabilities identified by communities themselves.
- We are also helping the Bay Area UASI empower 10 community-based organizations in the region to tackle $30,000 projects that enhance the preparedness of their communities.
Helping the Small Business Administration Support Disaster Survivors
This past month, several CONSTANT team members supported an annual exercise at the Small Business Administration with disaster preparedness. The SBA supports both individuals and businesses post-disaster; CONSTANT is helping them think through how best to organize, track, and measure those response operations and impacts. We’re also directly contributing to the SBA’s on-the-ground engagement with disaster survivors.
This project has several key elements; the work has been dynamic and the project team has adapted in a way that has built strong client trust.
- Helping the agency refine its Outreach and Engagement Strategy.
- Standardizing policies and procedures for Field Operations Centers.
- Connecting directly with disaster survivors on funding for mitigation projects as part of rebuilding their home or business—our next engagement will be in Southern California for wildfire recovery.
- Providing strategic planning and leadership support.
Shining the Summer Sun on Promotions
At CONSTANT, growth is dynamic. Our team has continued to expand, and we prioritize opportunities for internal promotion when new positions open. Our pace of growth leads to a high internal promotion rate but can also make it harder to see how growth and promotions are managed. In this quarter’s CONSTANT Connections, we wanted to share some information and advice about growth and promotions on our team.
- How do we decide on promotions? Promotions are based on both team member readiness and company needs. For positions that straddle multiple projects, company needs can be more dynamic. Positions that are 100% devoted to one project are more connected to open roles on that project. We do consider promotions during performance cycles, but also routinely make “out-of-cycle” promotions when appropriate.
- How do I show I’m ready to be promoted? Start well before you want to be promoted. Ask your manager what higher level opportunities might look like and what skills you’d need to develop to show you’re ready. Work together on a growth path to identify opportunities to develop and demonstrate the necessary skills. Keep in mind that the new role may not just be a more advanced version of your current role but may require different skill sets or perspectives (e.g., people management).
- What if I want to change direction at the company? Say you’re in a project-specific role and want to be considered for a broader position (or vice versa). Bring this up in your routine 1:1s with your manager. Ask to spend some time on projects you’re interested in, provided it’s not going to adversely affect your current work.
Our mission is to make the world a safer place.
It’s that simple, and that’s why we are here. We have a strategic plan for the next three years, called CONSTANT Strategy, which outlines what our biggest priorities are:
- Take care of our people
- Forward our mission
- Respond to our clients’ most pressing needs
- Expand strategically across markets
- Build infrastructure for the future
To help us execute on our mission, we have developed the CONSTANT Credo and our aligned core values (see the graphic below). We live by these.
Our Credo
