New Director Of Readiness, Response And Recovery Appointed At FEMA 

Release Date: September 25, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-135

Washington, DC -- Retired Col. Kenneth S. Kasprisin, named as regional director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Region X in June, has been appointed director of the agency's Readiness, Response and Recovery Directorate. Kasprisin will report to FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh, and be responsible for planning and executing the federal government's response to major disasters and emergencies. He will also be responsible for the multi-billion dollar Individual and Public Assistance Grant programs and all training activities, including those conducted at FEMA's Emergency Management Institute, in Emmitsburg, MD.

"I have the utmost confidence in Ken and believe he is the right person to take on this vitally important job at this time," Allbaugh said. "Recent events have underscored the importance of readiness for disasters, and I will rely on Ken's experience and talents to guide FEMA in the years ahead."

Kasprisin has served in the U.S. military for more than 26 years, most recently as commander and district engineer for the St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Before joining FEMA, Kasprisin participated in disaster response activities in such events as Hurricane Andrew, wildfires in Alaska and flooding in the upper Midwest.

Kasprisin has served as an infantry officer and in a number of engineering assignments for the military. Overseas assignments and deployments have included Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Panama. He has also served as assistant professor of civil engineering at the U.S. Military Academy.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Air Assault Badge and the Expert Infantryman's Badge.

Kasprisin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from West Point and a master's of science degree in civil structural engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 30-Sep-2003 13:57:46