fema expertise, where is it now?
In a recent blog post I talked about the impact of many years of institutional knowledge walking out the door at FEMA. Where do these people, with that type of experience go?
See the news release below on just one of the senior positions that have turned over at FEMA. You don’t replace that with the wave of a hand or a brand-new hire.
Here’s the news release—the emphasis is mine:
Raleigh, NC, June 2, 2026 - IEM International, Inc. (IEM), a leading professional services firm focused on emergency management, community resilience, and disaster recovery, today announced Chris Smith as the Director of Recovery. A nationally recognized emergency management leader, Smith brings more than 25 years of experience spanning local, state, federal, and private-sector emergency management.
Before joining IEM, Smith served in FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery as Director of the Individual Assistance Division, where he led operations across 175 federally declared disasters and oversaw the delivery of more than $52 billion in federal aid. His state leadership experience includes serving as Nevada’s Chief of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor. At the local level, he served as an emergency manager in Reno, Nevada. He brings a practical understanding of how recovery works across every level of government.
“Chris brings an exceptional combination of federal, state, local, and operational recovery experience,” said Bryan Koon, President and CEO. “He understands the policy, the pace, and the human impact of recovery work, and he is uniquely positioned to help our clients navigate complex challenges and deliver results for survivors and communities.”
As Director of Recovery, Smith will help lead IEM’s recovery strategy and delivery, supporting clients with survivor- and community-focused programs, public assistance, disaster housing, individual assistance, and recovery solutions tailored to our clients’ needs.
I’m honored to step into this role and continue helping communities navigate recovery,” said Smith. “Having worked at the federal, state, and local levels, I’ve seen how important it is to deliver practical solutions that meet people where they are and help to move communities forward with confidence.”
“Chris understands recovery from every angle, from federal policy and operations to the realities states and communities face on the ground,” said James Clark, Vice President of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “That perspective makes him a tremendous asset to our clients and to IEM’s continued growth in recovery services.”
About Smith
Smith most recently served as IEM’s Director of Individual Assistance, Disaster Housing, and Human Services. He previously held senior leadership roles at FEMA Headquarters and in Nevada state and local governments. Smith’s career has focused on helping governments design and deliver programs that are efficient, sustainable, and human-centered.
His experience spans FEMA Individual Assistance, disaster housing, call center operations, state-led recovery strategy, large-scale preparedness initiatives, complex response actions, and intergovernmental coordination. Throughout his career, he has helped shape programs that improve outcomes for people, specifically how assistance reaches survivors and how communities manage recovery at scale.
His promotion reflects IEM’s continued investment in proven leaders who bring deep experience, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to helping clients and communities recover with confidence.
