Verina and Associates: Expertise, Action, and Community-Centered Recovery

Led by experience. Driven by service. Committed to helping communities stay ready, so they don’t have to get ready.

Founded by Dr. Myra Shird, a nationally recognized disaster recovery expert and retired Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Verina and Associates is a mission-driven consulting firm dedicated to strengthening local, state, and tribal disaster preparedness and recovery. Dr. Shird brings more than three decades of leadership at the highest levels of government, including past service as a Congressional lobbyist, making her uniquely qualified to guide communities through the most complex challenges they face after disaster strikes.

Dr. Shird has successfully led federal recovery efforts across the country—coordinating responses to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other major emergencies. She has worked closely with government officials at every level, from village councils to Cabinet-level appointees and the White House. Her approach is grounded in respect, transparency, and results. She knows how to get things done in the field—and how to ensure that every stakeholder, from survivors to mayors to members of Congress, has a seat at the table.

At Verina and Associates, expertise is only the beginning. The firm is committed to employing a highly qualified, culturally competent staff—professionals who bring technical knowledge, lived experience, and empathy to every assignment. Whether deploying disaster housing case managers, field debris monitors, or grant specialists, Verina’s teams are trained to meet federal standards while understanding and honoring the communities they serve.

Among Verina’s core services:

Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Consultation
Dr. Shird provides expert guidance on accessing and administering HUD’s CDBG-DR funds. From Action Plan development to equitable program design, Verina helps communities invest federal dollars into long-term housing, infrastructure, and economic recovery—especially for vulnerable populations.

Disaster Housing Support
Dr. Shird has led housing recovery efforts in some of the most challenging disaster environments, including recent innovative work in Kentucky and current support in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Verina offers expertise in temporary, transitional, and permanent housing strategies that prioritize survivor dignity and cultural sensitivity.

FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program Navigation
Verina supports communities in securing and managing FEMA PA funding to restore public infrastructure. From water systems and roadways to bridges and public facilities, Dr. Shird and her team assist with eligibility, project formulation, documentation, and compliance to ensure full reimbursement and timely recovery.

Debris Monitoring and Management
Verina deploys trained debris monitors who understand FEMA regulations and field realities. The team specializes in developing accurate, defensible debris project worksheets, including support for both public and private property debris removal efforts. Verina ensures data integrity, cost effectiveness, and compliance from day one.

Community Engagement and Leadership Support
Dr. Shird is known for her ability to unite diverse stakeholders—community leaders, survivors, public officials, and the private sector—to create actionable, locally owned recovery plans. She brings people together in the aftermath of chaos and helps them build forward with clarity, equity, and confidence.

Across every project, Dr. Shird’s signature philosophy guides the work:
“We help communities stay ready, so they don’t have to get ready.”

That means investing in preparedness, building local capacity, and making sure recovery is driven by those who know the community best. With Verina and Associates, clients gain more than a consulting firm—they gain a partner committed to resilient, just, and effective recovery at every level.