Joel Doolin is a senior executive at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with 35 years of combined civilian and military service. Mr. Doolin joined FEMA in 2015 as the Agency’s number two attorney, where he championed information technology improvements, rebuilt the suspension and debarment program, and oversaw legal support during the 2017 and 2018 hurricane seasons. Reassigned to direct the Agency’s strategic priorities, he spearheaded implementation of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, developed a “Neighbors & Partners” framework for international engagements, and oversaw comprehensive overhauls of the internal governance system and FEMA’s “Pub 1” for the Agency’s 40th anniversary. He concluded this assignment by leading the interagency coordination of the Defense Production Act during the response to COVID-19. He began his current role in FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate in June 2020.
Prior to his selection to the Senior Executive Service, Mr. Doolin was a career naval officer. He qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer before joining the Judge Advocate General Corps. He spent one-third of his career either at sea or overseas and served in numerous leadership positions.
Mr. Doolin earned a juris doctorate from The Catholic University of America, where he won two appellate advocacy competitions. He has a master’s degree in National Security Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, graduating with distinction and winning two research essay contests. He is the author of “The Proliferation Security Initiative: Cornerstone of a New International Norm,” Naval War College Review, (Spring, 2006) and created FEMA’s mission statement, “Helping People Before, During and After Disasters.”