WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced today the appointment of 12 members to the agency's National Advisory Council.
These 12 members will serve multi-year terms beginning Dec. 1 and will guide future recommendations centered around equity, climate change and readiness. NAC members are comprised of a geographically diverse and substantive cross-section of 35 officials, emergency managers and emergency responders from different levels of government and the private sector.
Collectively, these members advise the Administrator on all aspects of emergency management to ensure input from and coordination with state, local and tribal governments and the private sector on federal plans, programs and strategies for all hazards. Due to previous changes in the council’s charter, this will also be the first time the NAC has a climate specialist member.
“I am honored to welcome the newly appointed and re-appointed FEMA National Advisory Council members. NAC members are significant contributors to advancing FEMA’s mission and provide unique, survivor-centric perspectives from across government and community,” said Administrator Criswell. “We are proud to share that the NAC is not only welcoming a climate specialist in 2021, but for the first time in the council’s history, a dedicated climate-focused position will be offered during the 2022 application period. This new position serves as an excellent opportunity for our nation’s most innovative and forward-thinking leaders in the climate space to step forward and pursue a chance to influence the way we build resilience across communities nationwide. I look forward to the energy and great efforts the council will undoubtedly bring forth and congratulate the new and re-appointed members on this achievement.”
Of the 12 members selected, 10 are new appointments and two are reappointments. The 12 members appointed or reappointed in 2021 are:
- Kathy Baughman McLeod, Senior Vice President, Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council, Arlington, Virginia. McLeod will serve as the NAC’s first ever climate specialist.
- Jody Ferguson, Director, Pierce County Office of Emergency Management, Tacoma, Washington.
- Tim Gleason, City Manager, Bloomington, Illinois.
- James Gore, County Supervisor, Sonoma County, California.
- Tonya Graham, City Councilor, Ashland, Oregon.
- Brian Hastings, Director, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Clanton, Alabama.
- Ramesh Kolluru, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development, University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
- Ryan Lanclos, Director, Public Safety Solutions and Disasters, Esri; Conroe, Texas.
- Kelly McKinney, Assistant Vice President, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
- Paula Pagniez, Director, Climate and Resilience Hub, Willis Towers Watson, New York, New York.
- Brad Richy, Director, Idaho Office of Emergency Management Director, Boise, Idaho.
- Brian Strong, Chief Resilience Officer, San Francisco, California.
Additionally, eight NAC members conclude their terms of appointment today. Those members include:
- Rich Baich, AIG, Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Steve Birnbaum, Resudox Solutions, LLC, Arlington, Virginia.
- Dante Disparte, Risk Cooperative, Washington, D.C.
- Charley English, American Red Cross, Fairfax, Virginia.
- Deanna Dahl-Grove, Pediatric Emergency Medicine UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital of Cleveland, Ohio.
- Lori Hodges, Larimer County Emergency Management, Colorado.
- Jackie Lindsey, Santa Fe County Fire Department, New Mexico.
- Kevin Staley, Charlotte Mecklenburg Office of Emergency Management, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Administrator Criswell will make an additional NAC membership announcement for a second climate specialist in 2022.
For additional information on the council, visit FEMA.gov.