Ms. Valente is a national consultant on business and economic disaster resiliency and post-disaster redevelopment planning.  She spearheaded the design, development and implementation of Emergency Support Function 18 for Business & Industry at Florida’s State Emergency Operations Center.  This national model integrates public agencies, private sector businesses and non-profit organizations with Florida’s disaster preparedness, response and recovery programs.  In addition, she has facilitated the integration of the private sector in all phases of emergency management including developing new program tracks focused on business recovery and economic redevelopment for both the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference and the National Hurricane Conference.  She participates as a task force member and adviser for the development and implementation of national economic and business recovery initiatives with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center and the International Economic Development Council. 

Ms. Valente is a frequent public speaker, discussion facilitator and consultant on economic development and disaster preparedness topics and currently serves on the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Community Resilience Working Group, Florida’s State Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning Initiative Workgroup and the Economic Stabilization Team for the Florida Catastrophic Planning Initiative.  During the devastating 2004-2005  hurricane season, Mickie served as the Director of Partner Relations for Enterprise Florida and coordinated Florida’s local business recovery initiatives and the deployment of federal, state and local agency staff to support economic damage assessment,  business recovery programs and development of economic recovery strategies.  She holds a Bachelor’s of arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia and a Master’s of business administration from Florida State University.