James W. Stark

Assistant Administrator, Gulf Coast Recovery Office

Image of James W. Stark

James W. Stark is the Assistant Administrator for FEMA's Gulf Coast Recovery Office. In this role, he will continue to work in partnership with state and local officials while overseeing and coordinating FEMA's Gulf Coast recovery operations related to the devastation of the 2005 hurricanes Katrina, Rita and now hurricanes Gustav and Ike in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Mr. Stark has served as the Acting Associate Deputy Administrator for Gulf Coast Recovery since January 2008. During this time, he also served as the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Director. He was appointed to that position in June 2006.  Before assuming the position as Director, he was the Chief of Staff for the Gulf Coast Recovery Office where he helped establish the Transitional Recovery Office organization in the states impacted by the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes.

Prior to joining FEMA in March 2006, Mr. Stark served, for 28 years, as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard in a variety of afloat and shore-side operational and staff positions. As Chief of Staff, Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, LA, he managed and led Coast Guard staff and operations to ensure the critical execution of Coast Guard missions across the Gulf of Mexico and the inland waterways. In his role as Chief of Operations, Seventh Coast Guard District, Miami, FL, he directed Coast Guard search and rescue, law enforcement and homeland security missions throughout southeastern U.S. waters and the Caribbean Sea. He also served as Commander, Coast Guard Group, Mobile, AL. As Chief, Drug Interdiction Division in Coast Guard Headquarters, he participated in groundbreaking negotiations with Caribbean nations to develop cooperative international agreements aimed at curbing maritime drug smuggling.

During the initial response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Mr. Stark was employed by a marine salvage company; directing ship and barge salvage operations in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Mr. Stark earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ocean Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary. He is a graduate of the National War College.  A Gulf Coast resident for over 10 years, he and his wife, Elaine have five children and live in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans.

Last Modified: Thursday, 30-Oct-2008 10:13:28 EDT