The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have
categorized a repeat of the 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes
to be catastrophic. These historical events, which occurred in
an intraplate setting, are unique in many ways. This
presentation will take a non-technical look at the history of
New Madrid seismic zone, current seismic activity, and the
risk earthquakes pose for the central US.
About the Speaker:
Jim was appointed CUSEC Executive Director
in 1999. As Executive Director he is responsible for managing
the day-to-day operations of this not-for-profit organization
while working at the local, state, and federal levels of
government across an eight-state area to carry out CUSEC's
mission to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, property
damage and economic losses resulting from earthquakes in the
Central United States.
As a subject matter expert, Jim has testified before Congress,
served on the Missouri Insurance Earthquake Task Force and the
Board of Directors for the Center for Community Earthquake
Preparedness at the University Mississippi. He currently
serves on the Arkansas Governor's Seismic Advisory Council and
is a member of the National Emergency Management Association.
Jim has over 30 years' experience in the field of emergency
management, having started his career with the Mississippi
Emergency Management Agency in 1991 before taking a position
at CUSEC in 1994.
Jim is a native of Alabama and holds a Bachelor of Science in
Urban Regional Planning from the University of Southern
Mississippi.