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FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh

Joe M. Allbaugh was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in February 2001. As FEMA Director, Mr. Allbaugh coordinates federal disaster relief activities on behalf of President Bush, including the Federal Response Plan that authorizes the response and recovery operations of 28 federal agencies and departments and the American Red Cross. He also oversees the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration and initiates proactive mitigation activities that reduce loss of life and property from all types of hazards. Mr. Allbaugh manages the Agency's approximate annual operating budget of $3 billion and its approximate 2,500 federal employees and 4,500 temporary disaster assistance employees.

Since joining FEMA, Mr. Allbaugh has overseen responses to a full range of natural disasters, beginning with FEMA's $157 million response to the Nisqually, Washington earthquake of February, 2001.

In June of that year, FEMA responded to the tragic impact of Tropical Storm Allison along the Gulf Coast, which ultimately accounted for more than $5.0 billion in damage and 53 lives lost. He also directed FEMA's unprecedented response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, which has, to date, amounted to more than $5.2 billion in FEMA assistance.

This year, Mr. Allbaugh has directed FEMA's preparations for and response to Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili, the first hurricane to strike the United States in three years, as well as wildfires, floods, and other emergencies that have struck the nation in 2002.

In addition, Mr. Allbaugh has instituted an agency-wide reorganization, developed a six-year strategic plan to tackle the Agency's emerging challenges, and has worked to improve federal training and assistance for America's first responders. He is now also working closely with Congress and the White House Office of Homeland Security to affect the transfer of FEMA into the proposed new Department of Homeland Security.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Allbaugh served as Chief of Staff to then-Governor George W. Bush. In addition to his operational duties in the Governor's office, Allbaugh served as the governor's point person for nine presidential disaster declarations and more than 20 state-level emergencies. Earlier in his career, he served as Oklahoma Deputy Secretary of Transportation.

Mr. Allbaugh served as the National Campaign Manager for Bush-Cheney 2000 with responsibility and oversight for all activities related to the Bush election campaign. He had previously served as Campaign Manager for President Bush's first run for Texas governor.

A native of Oklahoma, Mr. Allbaugh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Oklahoma State University. He and his wife, Diane, have three children.

http://www.fema.gov/about/allbaugh/