People Spotlight: Megan Jones and Jack Smith
Megan Jones
Megan Jones
During her work with the Red Cross Megan Jones saw disaster with her own eyes. She smelled burning trees, heard water rush through cities and touched the battered debris left behind by a Florida hurricane. Her job now is to avoid disaster, natural or otherwise, but if it comes, her role in the CAO is to make sure Congress is prepared for it.
"My biggest satisfaction in life is helping someone get on their feet and find normalcy,” said Megan Jones, who was recently hired as a business continuity manager (which basically means she makes sure the day-to-day business of the House continues no matter what).
Although the sensitive nature of working on disaster preparedness on Capitol Hill doesn’t allow her to be very specific about the ins and outs of her position, Jones offered a general summary of her group’s purpose.
"Our definitive goal is to make sure that no matter what happens, the services that the CAO offers are always accessible and functional," Jones said. "I am primarily focused on making sure that our capabilities work, are ready to go and are tested," she said.
Jack Smith
Jack Smith
Megan's colleague Jack Smith, who was also recently hired as a business continuity manager, works more on the organizational side, specifically setting the "behavioral foundation" for the unit: in other words, anticipating how employees should react when a crisis arises.
Jones recently came from a two-year stint Senate-side, where she supported life and safety issues, security and continuity of operations for district offices. She earned her master’s degree in public administration and disaster management from Georgia State University.
Although Smith has only been a House employee for a short time, he has worked with the CAO for four years as a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton.
Smith also got his master's and studied to be a systems engineer in crisis, disaster and risk management.
He said he's most looking forward to working with his colleagues to create a stronger organization. "A strong, cohesive workforce is better able to weather any crisis," Smith said.
For her part, Jones is prepared for the important work ahead, the complexity and importance of which she appreciates.
"I can't imagine a bigger impact than helping to make sure that the U.S. government will continue to operate," Jones said.
