Name: British Menefee

Title:
Publications Specialist

What I do:
I help FEMA distribute publications and other materials that help the public understand what the agency does, as well as how to prepare for disasters and prevent damage. I also distribute materials to fire departments, emergency management agencies and other governments.

My experience/education:
I have a high school diploma and have taken business development and accounting classes.

Name: Denise Yachnik

Title:
Personnel Management Specialist

What I do:
I help bring men and women into FEMA to serve in top leadership positions and provide human resources support to these top executives.

My experience/education:
Before I came to FEMA, I worked for the U.S. Navy's personnel office. I started my career with the Social Security Administration. I earned a bachelor's degree in Latin American and Slavic Studies and have taken several graduate courses under a degree program in personnel at George Washington University.

Name: Andrew V. "Drew" Douglas

Title:
Operations Manager

What I do:
I supervise a staff that makes maps and provides geospatial information system (GIS) services for FEMA and other Department of Homeland Security organizations. I supervise workers who gather spatial data from various sources, like the Bureau of Census and the U.S. Geological Survey and manipulate those data into the correct format for mapping, and make electronic and paper maps. During the multiple hurricanes of 2004 we produced over 2,000 maps. We were busy making maps for evacuations; for the shipping and distribution of food, water, and other supplies; to track hurricanes, high winds, flooding and damage to critical infrastructure; and to track the locations of FEMA fieldworkers and distribution centers. FEMA managers routinely use our maps to make quick decisions to help people stricken by an emergency or disaster. To see some of the maps we make, visit www.gismaps.fema.gov. It is a very rewarding job.

My experience/education:
I have a bachelor of arts degree in geography. I spent over 20 years in private industry managing mapping and geographic information system (GIS) projects. My career has taken me to Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Mexico, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

Name: Bri Rodriguez

Title:
Public Affairs Specialist

What I do:
As a member of the public affairs team, I help people after a disaster by making sure victims get information they need to get back on their feet. Many times when people are affected by a hurricane, tornado, flooding or an earthquake, they don't know how or where to get help. I talk to newspapers, radio stations and television stations to get the word out to people about how to get help.

My experience/education:
I joined FEMA after Hurricane Hugo struck my community in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. I started as a translator for the public information office. Later, I was hired as a full-time outreach public information specialist in the FEMA regional office in New York City. Later, I joined the FEMA headquarters public affairs office. I have a bachelor's degree in international affairs from Xavier University, Ohio.

Name: David Thomas

Title:
Flood Insurance Program Specialist

What I do:
I work with federal regulators, lenders, insurance companies, FEMA regions and states and communities to make sure that flood insurance for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas is purchases and kept current. Flood insurance is very important protection for homeowners and businesses at risk for flooding.

My experience/education:
I have a bachelor of science degree in urban and regional planning and a master of science degree in environmental planning and management. I have worked in both flood insurance and mitigation at FEMA. Before that, I was an environmental manager for the state of Georgia, an economic development planner for the regional Council of Governments in North Carolina and an environmental specialist for the American Chemical Society.