TEXSAR Announces Michael Rojas to Lead BeforeDuringAfter (B4DA)
AUSTIN, Texas – TEXSAR is pleased to announce the hiring of Michael Rojas to lead BeforeDuringAfter (B4DA), a statewide initiative focused on helping Texas small businesses better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
BeforeDuringAfter (B4DA) is a free online resource designed to support small businesses facing natural disasters and other emergencies. Available at www.beforeduringafter.com, the platform provides practical tools, guidance, and preparedness resources to strengthen business resilience across Texas.
Launched in June 2024, BeforeDuringAfter was created through a collaborative partnership between TEXSAR, Texas Mutual Insurance, and the Institute for Government Innovation at Texas State University. The initiative is further supported by a strong coalition of partners, including Wells Fargo, OneStar Foundation, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Rojas brings extensive real-world disaster response experience and leadership insight to the role. He will focus on expanding awareness and implementation of the B4DA program throughout Texas, helping ensure businesses and communities are better prepared when disasters strike.
“We are excited to welcome Michael to the team and to the growing BeforeDuringAfter initiative,” said Justin McInnis, TEXSAR President and CEO. “His operational experience and passion for community resilience make him uniquely suited to help expand the program’s impact across the state.”
Please join us in welcoming Michael Rojas to the team.
For more information about BeforeDuringAfter, visit www.beforeduringafter.com.
MORE ABOUT MICHAEL:
Michael Rojas’ leadership and commitment to disaster response are rooted in his AmeriCorps service, where he began as a member of the Iowa Habitat for Humanity Mobile Response Team, responding to tornadoes and floods before advancing into a staff role mentoring new members.
In 2020, he helped Iowa’s COVID-19 food insecurity response and served as Incident Commander during the statewide derecho under a FEMA mission assignment. He later joined Volunteer Iowa as Disaster Program Officer, applying his experience at both state and national levels.
Beginning in 2021, Michael expanded into national deployments, supporting Nevada’s health campaigns, leading during Hurricane Ida response efforts in New Jersey, and serving as Incident Commander for Missouri flooding and Hurricane Ian in 2022. He also established a Volunteer Reception Center following a devastating Iowa tornado. Across deployments, he has led large-scale operations involving thousands of individuals, debris removal efforts, and significant community engagement.
Beyond field operations, Michael has focused on strengthening disaster response systems and long-term capacity. He has contributed to disaster response curriculum development, piloted trainings, and serves on VOAD boards to improve volunteer coordination nationwide. He has worked closely with emergency management agencies to expand awareness of volunteer resources and enhance resilience efforts.
His work has earned recognition from local, state, and federal partners, including commendation from AmeriCorps NCCC leadership. He has supported nationwide disaster responses at the federal level and most recently served with American YouthWorks in Texas, focusing on preparedness and resilience.
Over the course of his career, Michael has supported more than 18 federally declared disaster responses.
