Janet M. Odeshoo
Deputy Regional Administrator – Region V
Janet Odeshoo is the Deputy Regional Administrator of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V in Chicago, Illinois, a position she has held since 1996. She is responsible for coordinating FEMA preparedness, mitigation and disaster response and recovery activities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
She has been with FEMA for 28 years, more than half of which
in management positions. She has extensive experience in all
of FEMA's programs, having worked in a variety of positions
including Disaster Assistance Program Manager, Emergency Analyst, Director of the Natural and
Technological Hazards Division and Director of the Mitigation Division. She is responsible for many
improvements made in damage assessment, estimating, response, recovery and mitigation
strategies, policies and procedures. In January 2000, Mrs. Odeshoo was invited to Nicaragua to
assess that country's emergency management capability and recommend programs and technical
assistance necessary to improve that capability and to build disaster resistant communities.
Mrs. Odeshoo has participated in response and recovery operations for scores of major disasters and emergencies, including Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Great Midwest Floods of 1993, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and the 2008 Midwest floods. She has served in numerous management and leadership positions during response and recovery operations, including being named Federal Coordinating Officer by President Bush subsequent to Hurricane Katrina to oversee and coordinate the assistance provided to the more than 25,000 evacuees that came to all six states in Region V.
She has served on numerous committees, task forces and advisory councils, including the Executive Committee of the Chicago Federal Executive Board and the Chicago Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC). She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including FEMA's Director's Award.
A native of Chicago, Mrs. Odeshoo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois, in Champaign-Urbana. She resides in Glenview, Illinois, with her husband and daughter.
Last Modified: Friday, 07-Nov-2008 14:48:05 EST