New Duties for Ted Monette, FEMA HQ

FROM: R. David Paulison
Administrator

SUBJECT: Director, Office of Federal Coordinating Officer Operations

I am pleased to announce a new appointment to FEMA's Senior Executive Service (SES). Ted Monette has been promoted to Director of the Office of Federal Coordinating Officer Operations, effective January 20, 2008. As the Director, Ted is responsible for coordinating the professional development and management of our senior Federal officials who lead and manage major and emergency disasters throughout the nation.

Ted has more than 40 years of leadership experience at FEMA and the Department of Defense. He joined FEMA in 1997 as Deputy of the Federal Coordinating Officer Program as it was being established, and then assumed the role of FCO Program Director in 2001. Prior to his employment at FEMA, Ted completed a distinguished Army career highlighted by continual command and operational assignments, retiring at the rank of Colonel.

Because of his leadership skills, Ted has been selected to lead our FEMA staff in some of the most demanding and sensitive assignments. On September 11, 2001 he was appointed by President Bush to serve as the Federal Coordinating Officer for the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. He was the senior Federal official responsible for establishing the immediate Federal presence on the scene, establishing command and control of Federal assets, and coordinating all Federal resources deployed for the response and recovery efforts with the City and State of New York.

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Ted served as the senior FEMA official in the greater New Orleans area. In that capacity, he was responsible for successfully coordinating the aerial evacuation of thousands of evacuees from the New Orleans Airport, for providing oversight to the initial remains recovery operation, and for overseeing the initial temporary housing effort.

His achievements within FEMA make him eminently qualified for this promotion. Please join me in congratulating Ted on his new position. His wealth of experience will continue to enhance the FEMA leadership team.