Darius Grimes

President, Disaster Smart Consulting, Inc

PROFILE Professional business manager with a record of success in corporate leadership, association, management, marketing, research/design/development, launch of new products and technical marketing strategies, improving profitability, efficiency, market share, and brand recognition. Effective communicator with the technical knowledge and skills to educate and persuade diverse sometimes opposing interest groups by identifying obstacles, managing complex issues, building consensus for change, taking the lead to bridge core values, building support for industry initiatives, and developing innovative solutions for mutually beneficial outcomes. Dedicated leader, mentor and volunteer with the expertise to identify, promote, and develop partnering opportunities advancing training, education, and mitigation techniques to improve the sustainability of residential and commercial structures. Construction industry experience, spanning 20 plus years, serving in a management capacity engaged in manufacturing, engineering design and support, wholesale distribution, sales/marketing, education and training, contract management, and as a licensed contractor. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING CRC-1327100 Florida Certified Residential Contractor (Active) CEU Instructor- CSI, UWF, Florida CILB, and AIA CSI, CDT- Construction Specification Institute- Certified Construction Documents Technologist CWMS- Certified Wind Mitigation Surveyor- Applied Research Associates DCA RCMP- Residential Construction Mitigation Program- Inspector FLASH BPFS- Blueprint for Safety Retrofit and New Construction Training PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION AND MEMBERSHIP Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) Technical Advisory Committee (1998- present)/ Resource Committee Chair (2002-2003)/ Partnership Committee Co-Chair (2003- present), Advisory Committee- My Safe Florida Home Pilot Program Construction Specification Institute (CSI)- Pensacola Chapter Certification Committee (Chair 2002-2005)/ Industry Representative (2002-2004)/ President Elect (2005-2006)/ President (2006- 2008) University of Florida, Escambia County Windstorm Mitigation & Energy Advisory Committee- (2002-present) Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF)- Industry Member (2002- 2005) IBHS- Independent Consultant research and consumer/contractor educational training programs Florida Building Commission- Commission Appointed Workgroup Member (2006- present) International Hurricane Protection Association- Education and Training Chair/ Director (2004-2006), Secretary (2006- 2009), Vice President (2009- present) InterNACHI- Home Inspector # 09040801