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 Prior to joining IBHS in 2020, Michael worked for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where his legal and public policy experience included cybersecurity, natural hazard risk, climate change, mitigation, and insurance regulation. Michael earned a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the…
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 started working with IBHS in 2015 as a research consultant before joining the organization full-time in 2018. Faraz earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering at universities in Iran before moving to the U.S. in 2014. Since he came to the U.S., Faraz has earned two…
Chuck Miccolis Managing Director of Commercial Lines Chuck Miccolis provides engineering and technical support for commercial building–related hazard mitigation initiatives. He is the lead engineer for the Institute’s FORTIFIED Commercial standards, a voluntary commercial construction criteria that focuses on building resiliency and mitigating losses from natural and man-made hazards. He works with IBHS colleagues, member…
