Steve Hawks Senior Director for Wildfire Steve Hawks joined the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) in 2023 and currently serves as the Senior Director for Wildfire. In this role, Steve works to advance wildfire policy and code development, manages IBHS’s post-fire analysis research, assists with the Wildfire Prepared Home program and develops future…
Sarah Dillingham Senior Meteorologist & Senior Director of Product Design Sarah is currently the Sr. Director of Product Design & Sr. Meteorologist leading the team responsible for helping communicate IBHS’s science to a wide range of audiences. Prior to joining IBHS, she spent nearly 9 years at The Weather Channel where she served as a…
Michael Newman General Counsel Knowing that damage, disruption, and dislocation all too often associated with natural disasters can be reduced or even prevented, Michael Newman delivers strategies for safer and stronger homes and businesses so communities can thrive. With 15 years of experience in law and public policy, he currently serves as General Counsel and…
Connie Bryant Breedlove Managing Director of Media Connie joined IBHS in 2019, adding her experience from a career in corporate communications and public relations with both agencies and large companies, including The Home Depot, Newell Rubbermaid and Lowes. Connie graduated from the University of Alabama majoring in Communications, and has an MBA from the University…
Christina Gropp Meteorologist & Science Producer Christina joined IBHS in 2019 as a Public Relations Associate. Prior to joining IBHS, Christina was a broadcast meteorologist, reporter, and digital content producer for WDEF News 12 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In addition to other accomplishments in the WDEF newsroom over the last three years, Christina was instrumental in increasing the…
Chris Cioffi Commercial Programs Manager Chris Cioffi joined IBHS in 2016 as the Commercial Lines Engineer for the FORTIFIED Commercial Program. He previously worked at TLC Engineering for Architecture where he provided structural engineering design services for a variety of projects, including the design of the new St. Pete Pier and Doral Legacy Park. He…
Mark Zehnal Director, FORTIFIED Roof Although he became an employee in 2016, Mark Zehnal’s association with IBHS dates back to 2004 when he began collaborating with engineers and researchers on proposals that have helped to improve roofing performance. He is now a Senior Roofing Specialist supporting development of FORTIFIED initiatives in the Great Plains region.…
Alexandra Cary FORTIFIED Market Development Manager Alex is the FORTIFIED Market Development Manager at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, providing communities across the Gulf Coast and nationally with a dedicated expert, collaborating with active and potential FORTIFIED program participants to bring sustainable and resilient construction practices into vulnerable communities. Alex has worked…
Cliff Barros Director of Communication & Market Development Cliff is responsible for market development and communication of the IBHS FORTIFIED program. Cliff most recently worked for Pilot Catastrophe where he managed a range of insurance and wind pool clients and a team of adjusters. Prior to joining Pilot, Cliff was the Executive Director of Habitat…
Faraz Hedayati, PhD Lead Research Engineer Faraz began researching WUI fires during his Ph.D. studies in 2014, focusing on ember generation and transportation. From 2014 to 2018, he collaborated with IBHS, conducting experiments and analyzing data on ember generation from different fuels and building component responses. After earning his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the…
