GSA Appoints Chief Emergency Response Recovery Officer

A nationally recognized emergency management expert will serve as the first Chief Emergency Response and Recovery Officer for the U.S. General Services Administration’s Office of Emergency Response and Recovery (OERR), the agency announced.

GSA Administrator Lurita Doan named North Carolina native Richard Reed to the post effective April 29, 2007.

“Richard’s broad experience in emergency and crisis management will strengthen GSA’s mission to support the government’s emergency response efforts across the United States,” said Administrator Doan. “I look forward to working with him to bring world class service and support to GSA and the federal government’s response and recovery programs.”

OERR is responsible for coordinating all GSA resources in support of first responders, emergency workers and recovery teams across all levels of government. GSA is the nation’s premier contracting and acquisition resource; with the creation of OERR, GSA is better prepared to respond to national emergencies. As head of the office, Mr. Reed will report through the Chief of Staff Office to the Administrator.

Prior to his appointment at GSA, Mr. Reed served as Director of Continuity of Policy for the Homeland Security Council at the White House. In that position, he led continuity of operations policy development, coordination and implementation. In addition, he was the senior policy representative for the Department of Homeland Security on interagency organizations relating to continuity of operations. Prior to working at the White House, Mr. Reed was Director of the Operations Division, Office of National Security Coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). There he was responsible for Continuity of government programs for the federal government and Chairperson of the Interagency Advisory Group.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve President George W. Bush under the leadership of Administrator Doan,” said Mr. Reed. “I appreciate the opportunity to lead the Office of Response and Recovery and support GSA’s mission.”

Mr. Reed holds undergraduate degrees from Purdue University and Indiana University, and a master’s degree from Indiana University.

For more information about GSA emergency response, visit GSA's Office of Emergency Response and Recovery.