Local Emergency Management Executive selected for FEMA Executive Leadership program

A local emergency management executive was selected for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship.

Charles Esteves has been the Administrator for the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) since 2015.

He was one of 26 senior crisis leaders chosen for FEMA’s executive leadership cohort focused on disruptive changes in emergency management and crisis leadership.

FEMA Vanguard’s cohort showcases some of the most influential and experienced minds in crisis leadership, including state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management directors, corporate executives, philanthropic leaders, elected officials, academics, policymakers, and other emergency management executives. 

Developed by FEMA in partnership with the RAND Corporation and McChrystal Group, the program is designed to establish the relationships needed to innovate, prepare, and respond to future crises more effectively. 

He was appointed the Territorial Coordinating Officer through four Presidential major disaster declarations and three emergency declarations.

Esteves said, “I am honored to be selected, and I look forward to interacting with and learning from such a diverse representation of multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplined leaders…I look forward to sharing and using the knowledge to enhance preparedness and increase resiliency across the island.”

Those who apply participate in a rigorous application process that assesses their experience leading through crises and their potential to influence change in emergency management.  

The two-week cohort is held at rotating sites across the U.S., allowing selectees to meet with leading experts in crisis leadership nationwide.

Fellows participate in roundtable discussions with top experts and peers, seminars, site visits with crisis leadership experts, and small-group sessions to discuss and debate issues, all with the goal of improving federal, state, local, tribal, and industry preparedness.

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute supports the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA by improving competencies and collaboration among U.S. Emergency Management professionals at all levels to face the potential effects of disasters and emergencies.

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 or via email at [email protected].