ABOUT
About Us
The JAQARDEN team approaches consulting and resiliency strategies from a singular and critical point of view - An entity's survivability is dependent upon its capacity and capability to sustain recovery after an incident. Whether that incident is an operational improvement, mandatory training for new processes or experiencing a major disaster, the fundamental need remains the same. JAQARDEN also knows that a company or agency is made up of many parts operating as a unified whole, its people and the customers. Therefore, when developing an action plan, JAQARDEN takes a diagnostic approach which considers the needs of the agency and all of its component factors. This strategy provides the team with real-time data that informs custom-tailored solutions. When it comes to disaster exercises, JAQARDEN goes beyond the basics and delivers functional and full-scale evolutions.
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JAQARDEN is a group of ethical and agile professionals who will manage a project from concept to implementation and through program evaluation. The team is composed of specialists who actually have diverse leadership experiences, cross-sector qualifications and multi-level management expertise. The agency benefits from a team that will look at a challenge from all angles, including interrelated and divergent issues. The team will also consider the importance of an entity's culture, values, mission and vision when developing program parameters and deliverables:
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Increase an entity's sustainable resiliency and survivability
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Provides critical support for improved or new policies, programs, processes, products, or events
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Develop and leverage sustainable collaborative partnerships
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Increase positive outcomes and Return on Investment (ROI)
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Lead an entity to purposeful clarity, operational efficiency, and standards-based excellence
Our Team
Carol Jeffers, Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Carol has 35+ years of response and technical consulting experience within public health, disaster management, emergency response, education and technology. Nationally, Carol has served as technical consultant on CDC's multi-million dollar Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers (PERLC) project developing state-wide disaster management and resiliency initiatives.
Sheahadin Jeffers, CMO
Sheahadin is a strategist and business consultant leveraging a combination of cultural diversity, hospitality, public relations, non-profit engagement and business development experience into his work. He specializes in critical assessment - Risk management; Identifying the root cause of a problem and developing innovative and agile solutions; Identifying and rectifying areas of disconnect/loss in aging organizations; and, Matching exponential company growth with consistent executive development.
Bernadine P Hines, Chief Operations Officer
For over twenty years Mrs. Hines (Accomp Inc.) had served as consultant/entrepreneur to clients included AT&T Business Solutions, NJDMV Government, NY/MTA MetroCard development & implementation, US Department of Transportation, Healthcare Organizations, and several small businesses. Her focus was on business development, business process and business intelligence, where she established a solid foundation within their information technology division.
Preston Cook, Emergency Management Director
Preston Cook is a results-driven executive with over 30 years of experience in Public Safety and Emergency Management leadership at the state and local level. He is recognized as the only individual in the U.S. to earn EMAP accreditation for two communities with 1M+ populations.
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As a specialist in the full spectrum of emergency management, Preston's expertise includes FEMA Technical Assistance, Risk Mitigation, Crisis Communications, HAZMAT Assessment, Public Safety, Disaster Response , Relief and Recovery, EOC and Incident Command, Critical Event/Incident Planning, and Partnerships.
Dr. Ajoy Kumar, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Ajoy Kumar's expertise spans the disciplines of business, emergency medicine, sports medicine, psychology and disaster management. His clinical capabilities include experience in the trauma center, family medicine and as Chief Medical Officer for Florida 3 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT). He brings a foundation of program assessment , quality analysis and quality improvement including this roles as Chief Quality Officer and Staff Physician for Professional Health Care of Pinellas, Chair, Department of Family Medicine Quality Improvement Committee and Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Ermin Jeffers, Treasurer
Ermin is Minister of Finance for the Church of the Nazarene, a local branch of the largest Wesleyan-holiness denomination in the world. She currently fulfills the role of treasurer for the past 7 years and have held the position for a total of 15 non-consecutive years. She has held other leadership positions to include Missionary President, Sunday School Superintendent, Board Member, Delegate to the Assembly. Ermin is a trained Community Response Team member, recognized as an enduring and positive influencer in her community.