DISASTER RECOVERY EXPERTS

Michael Sabbaghian, PE

Mahyar “Michael” Sabbaghian is a California-licensed professional civil engineer with more than 35 years of experience in civil engineering, infrastructure, water resources, power infrastructure, emergency management, and disaster recovery. His career includes leadership and technical roles with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and private-sector engineering and consulting firms.

During his 14 years with Cal OES, Michael held several disaster recovery management positions, including Programs Branch Chief, Operations Chief, Deputy Public Assistance Officer, and Recovery Chief. In these roles, he oversaw statewide recovery programs involving FEMA Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation, as well as recovery funding administered under the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA). He led more than 80 professional staff and managed statewide FEMA Public Assistance and CDAA operations supporting more than 900 applicants. He developed extensive expertise in preliminary damage assessments, federal and state disaster declaration processes, project eligibility, program implementation, cost recovery, regulatory compliance, policy interpretation, and coordination among local, state, and federal agencies.

Michael’s engineering experience includes infrastructure assessment, project formulation, cost estimating, construction management, flood-risk reduction, levee management, land development, and oversight of multidisciplinary engineering teams. His technical background includes grading and drainage, foundations, retaining walls, concrete structures, excavation, and earthquake-resistant building design. During his career with DWR, Michael directed statewide flood-maintenance activities involving approximately 300 miles of levees, 1,200 miles of channels, and more than 30 flood-control structures while managing a workforce of more than 100 employees. He also managed more than $1 billion in state and federal flood-protection projects and approximately $900 million in Early Implementation Program funding supporting levee improvements and regional flood-risk reduction. Michael served as Interim Deputy Director for Security and Emergency Management, overseeing departmental emergency management activities, FEMA cost recovery, and security evaluations of DWR facilities. He supported major infrastructure recovery efforts associated with the 2017 Oroville Dam Spillway incident.

As a Senior Technical Advisor with DRE, Michael provides high-level technical and programmatic guidance for complex disaster recovery, engineering, and critical infrastructure projects. He supports public agencies with FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs, the California Disaster Assistance Act, engineering evaluations, cost estimates, grant management, regulatory coordination, and recovery strategy. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration. He is a California-licensed Professional Civil Engineer, License No. C056080.