Manning's main responsibility will to ensure the provisions of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act are integrated across all levels of emergency management, Sen. Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, said in a statement.
Prior to the FEMA appointment, Manning served as the director of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and homeland security adviser to the governor. He was named the department's first director in April 2007, having previously served as the director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and the state director of emergency management. In addition to the state's intelligence and anti-terrorism programs, Manning oversaw the daily administration of the state's disaster and emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery efforts.
Before working at the state level, Manning served as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, rescue mountaineer and hazardous materials specialist, FEMA said in a press release.
