New Leadership in FEMA's Mississippi Office 

Release Date: July 29, 2008
Release Number: 1604-663

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BILOXI, Miss. -- Benjamin A. "Alec" Watson has been named acting director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Mississippi Transitional Recovery Office (TRO), leading the federal recovery effort in Mississippi. He replaces outgoing director Sid Melton.

"One of my top priorities in this position will be to maintain and cultivate the established relationships we have with local governments and our partners at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)," said Watson. "These partnerships are critical to our continued service to the people of the Gulf Coast."

Watson has served as the Chief of Staff for the Mississippi recovery effort since 2006.

"The biggest key to the successful recovery of the Gulf Coast has been the effective partnerships across federal, state and local lines. Under Alec's leadership, those partnerships will remain strong and allow the federal recovery effort in Mississippi to progress," said outgoing TRO director Melton.

MEMA Director Mike Womack said he wishes Melton well in his future endeavors and is looking forward to working with Watson in his new leadership role.

"MEMA will work closely with Alec to ensure the continued progress toward rebuilding the Mississippi Gulf Coast," Womack said.

Prior to joining FEMA, Watson served as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard for 28 years in a variety of operational and staff positions, culminating in Command of Coast Guard Sector Detroit, Mich. from 2002 to 2005. He also worked in positions with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Office of the Vice President and as the Senior Coast Guard Advisor to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon.

Watson is a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration and attended the U.S. Naval War College where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Strategy and Strategic Studies in 1993.

Photo Link: www.photolibrary.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=37355

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 30-Jul-2008 09:51:54