On Sept. 30, Acting Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan released the following message on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) leadership announcements:
I want to congratulate Peter T. Gaynor who was nominated recently by President Trump to be the Administrator of FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security. Pete has been serving as Acting Administrator of FEMA since March 8, 2019, during which time he tirelessly led the agency through Hurricane Dorian’s multi-state response effort. Before stepping in as the interim head of the agency, Pete was Senate-confirmed as the Deputy Administrator of FEMA on Oct. 11, 2018. Prior to his more than ten years of experience in emergency management, he served 26 years as an enlisted Marine and Infantry Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Pete Gaynor’s service has demonstrated a commitment not only to the department but to his country. I look forward to continuing to work together with him and urge the Senate for a swift confirmation.
It is also my pleasure to announce the appointment of Bridget Bean to be the Assistant Administrator for Grants Programs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Bridget will be responsible for overseeing the Grant Management Modernization effort, a $390 million major grants systems modernization that will improve the administration and oversight of the billions of grant dollars awarded annually by the Department of Homeland Security, all disaster and non-disaster grant policy, and a $2 billion suite of Homeland Security grant programs. The Homeland Security grant programs are designed to build, sustain, and improve the Nation’s capability to prevent, protect, respond, recover, and mitigate all disaster and emergency threats. She will provide oversight of grant investments across a broad range of projects, including capabilities to counter weapons of mass destruction, cybersecurity improvements, and emerging threats from active shooters and complex, coordinated terrorist attacks. Bridget most recently served as the Acting Chief Component Human Capital Officer, in which she oversaw several initiatives focusing on providing transparency and customer service to FEMA.