Allegra Agata Tartaglia is the Private Sector Liaison for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). In this role, Ms. Tartaglia leads the Private Sector Integration Program (PSIP). With a portfolio of 500 private sector businesses in the State of Maryland, the program ensures businesses are prepared in emergency planning, response, and recovery at the local, regional, and national level in order to shape a more resilient Maryland where the private sector thrives.
As a dependent of a Department of Defense employer, Ms. Tartaglia had the opportunity to be raised overseas as a ‘Military Brat’ and be exposed to diverse cultures and languages fostering a passion for public service.
Ms. Tartaglia is an experienced liaison with more than 10 years in the field of government, business, and non-profit management. Her expertise in managing complex multi-stakeholders environment started with the Department of Justice Attache’ at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy and with the Louisiana Supreme Court in New Orleans, LA. Ms. Tartaglia is skillful in project management, integration of cross-culture themes, and fluency in Italian and proficient in Portuguese, French, and Spanish.
Prior to this role, Ms. Tartaglia obtained a Masters in International Development with a focus in Governance and International Public Management from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) in April, 2018. Ms. Tartaglia was able to further investigate the cross-sector between private sector capabilities and public sector policies working for the Department of the Environment in Sao Paulo, Brazil and interacting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), and United State Geological Services (USGS).
Ms. Tartaglia led her non-profit experience working for The Pittsburgh Foundation, U.S. Algeria Business Council, and the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C where she developed a passion for cause, excellent communication skills, self-motivation, resourcefulness, and flexibility.
Ms. Tartaglia’s project management capabilities and leadership have included previously serving as the Project Manager Consultant and Project Specialist for Lehman Smith McLeish Architecture and Planning Firm. Ms. Tartaglia also served as the Traffic Commercial Officer for MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company were she developed commercial awareness and logical and solutions-focused approach. Ms.
Ms. Tartaglia is a Fellow of the Hesselbein Leadership Program in International from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of International Public Administration Affairs and has earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana.
Bryant is a Senior Intelligence Analyst at the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC), where
he is building a new Cyber Threat Assessment Unit. He joined MCAC in 2016 after serving for 20 years in
the U. S. Army as an All-Source intelligence analyst. He has been published in per Concordiam, the
professional journal of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and lectures on
Information Operations at the NATO School in Germany. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Government
JK Ferrell
JK Ferrell is currently the Director of Safety for The Arc Baltimore, an agency with a staff of 850+, and as such is responsible for oversight of Safety-related trainings, policies and programs, and Emergency Preparedness activities. He has conducted numerous trainings and consultations for other agencies and statewide advisory groups, as well as presented at many state, national and international conferences and workshops.JK earned his B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University in 1980 and his M.A. in Educational Psychology in 1984 from the same institution. Between the undergraduate and graduate programs, he worked as a Psychological Assistant in the Forensic & Security Unit at Weston Hospital in Weston, West Virginia. JK began employment at The Arc Baltimore in 1984 as a Psychological Associate, was promoted to the Director of Training in 1991, and then moved into the Safety Director position in 2006.
JK is married, has two grown/married/employed/home-owning children, and tries to keep up with the maintenance of a late-18th-century log home. In addition to being with his family, he enjoys reading, music, movies, travelling, and anything outdoors.
Corporal John Haddaway
Corporal John Haddaway is a 19 year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department. During his tenure, he has served as a part of uniformed patrol, a directed enforcement unit, and as a patrol supervisor. Corporal Haddaway has served in his recent assignment as Homeland Security Team supervisor more than 3 years.
In addition to his role as the Homeland Security Team supervisor, Corporal Haddaway is a part-time firearms instructor, Special Response Team instructor, and supervisor/instructor for the department’s Dignitary Witness Protection Team. Corporal Haddaway is also a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in a combination of active duty and Maryland National Guard service as an infantry soldier for ten years.
Jorge Eduardo Castillo
About Jorge Eduardo Castillo: Jorge Eduardo Castillo is an award-winning executive with over 17 years of experience that expand throughout a range of diverse high-growth industries. During his tenure at Passport Health, now the largest provider of immunizations in the U.S., he consulted with dozens of clients and performed Pandemic Preparedness and Disaster Recovery GAP Analyses and Pandemic Emergency Plans. His leadership background also includes hands-on experience in emergency response during 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu) Pandemic Outbreak, including disaster preparedness, communications and outreach, incident management and stakeholder networking initiatives in field operational and non-profit environments. Over the span of his career, he has looked beyond the organizations he leads and into the ecosystems to which they belong to forge strategic partnerships and increase collaborative programs that have had a profound, positive impact with each stakeholder. Highlights include collaborative partnerships with Sagamore Development (part of Plank Industries) and the MD Department of Housing and Community Development to create the first ever Minority Entrepreneurship Expo in Baltimore; The BAM! (Business Advocacy Program) pilot for the MD Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2017 in association with the Whiting Turner Company; partnership with Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) to establish the Association of Latino Professionals in America (ALPFA) Central Maryland Chapter and founding board; partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Baltimore Office, to establish the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MDHCC) Membership Orientation and Economic Outlook Breakfasts Series; and partnerships with the City of Baltimore, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County Government, respective Mayors and County Executives to establish the first ever chapter of the MDHCC: The Greater Baltimore Regional Chapter (GBRC) among others.
In 2016 he was inducted into The Daily Record’s VIP List “Very Important Professionals Successful by 40 awards”, in 2014 he was awarded the “40 under 40 People to Watch” by the Baltimore Business Journal. In 2017 he was awarded the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award for his leadership and community work in the Greater Baltimore Region, and most recently, he was named a 2018 “Influential Marylander” by The Daily Record.
Presently, he is the Branch Manager, Communications & Outreach, for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Immediate Past Chairman and President of the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Castillo’s previous leadership roles include being Chief Marketing Officer in Residence at the Emerging Technology Centers, Vice President of the There Goes My Hero Foundation, and Director of Analytics and Return on Investment at R2integrated.
Jorge Eduardo Castillo is also heavily involved in the community, participates actively in public-private action committees, and serves on various boards and committees. He has been a speaker nationally and internationally, most recently at the Milken Institute Global Conference, as well as a guest lecturer at Towson University, Loyola University Maryland and New York University. He is a Phi-Beta-Kappa graduate of Goucher College with a degree in Biological sciences with a pre-medical concentration. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the Joseph A. Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University Maryland. He was born in Lima, Peru and currently resides in Baltimore, MD.
Kathy L. Francis, MS, CEM, MDPEMP
Ms. Kathy L. Francis currently serves as the Frederick Community College Executive Director of Emergency Management Programs, as adjunct faculty, and as leader of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management & Public Safety (MACEM&PS).
Ms. Francis directs the MACEM&PS to develop and deliver specialty courseware in emergency management and serves as the Postsecondary Affiliate for Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the Maryland State Department of Education Career and Technology Programs. In May 2012, she earned a Master of Science (MS) in Management with the Johns Hopkins University Police Executive Leadership program, and in March 2016, she earned a Certificate of Completion in Crisis Leadership in Higher Education from the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Ms. Francis is an International Association of Emergency Managers Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and a certified Maryland Professional Emergency Manager (MDPEMP). She recently attained her Certificate of Mastery: Assessing Learning for College Credit through the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. She currently serves as a member of the adjunct faculty at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Frederick, Maryland, where she teaches Executive Crisis Leadership within their Master of Business Administration Program.
Kyle Overly
Kyle Overly is an experienced practitioner & educator who is currently the Director of Disaster Risk Reduction at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). In this capacity he is responsible for leading five agency branches and programs including Hazard Mitigation, Risk Analysis & Recovery, Public Assistance, Communications & Outreach, and Non-Governmental Services. As a member of MEMA's senior leadership he assists with shaping the direction of emergency management policy in Maryland and directing the agency towards realizing it's overarching vision to shape a Resilient Maryland where communities thrive. Previously Kyle was the Planning Branch Manager for MEMA where he was responsible for leading MEMA’s team of preparedness planners, setting state planning priorities, and coordinating planning efforts with local, state, and Federal agencies. Kyle also served as a Preparedness Planner and the Prevention/Protection program manager where he developed Maryland’s Prevention/Protection Mission Area, the State’s Special Events Program, and supported a number of other statewide efforts. Kyle led efforts to prepare for numerous large events in the State including the 2014 Star-Spangled Spectacular and the 2015 Gubernatorial Inauguration.
Prior to joining MEMA Kyle worked in the private sector. In this capacity he led planning projects for clients across the United State ranging from hazard mitigation plans, evacuation plans, emergency operations plans, and medical needs related efforts. He also supported clients in their emergency operations centers during Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Aside from his practical experience Kyle also teaches undergraduate emergency management and homeland security courses for the University of Maryland system. Kyle holds a Master of Science in Fire & Emergency Management Administration from Oklahoma State University and is a Certified Emergency Manager.
Kyrle Preis III
Kyrle Preis III is the Sr. Lead of Environmental Health & Safety for Under Armour. He is responsible for managing day to day safety and compliance operations for all Under Armour global corporate offices. This includes implementing Under Armour EH&S programs to provide a safe and compliant workplace for both Under Armour Teammates and all onsite contractors performing work at Under Armour. He also facilitates emergency response protocols in partnership with UA Protect for all corporate office locations and manages the direction and execution of all safety programs and policies. He serves as facility contact for federal, state, regional and international environmental health and safety agencies. Kyrle has been with Under Armour for 9 months following a nearly 29 year career in the Baltimore County Fire Department. While in the fire department he held 9 ranks, and retired at the end of 2018 as Fire Chief. The department is one of the largest career and volunteer combination departments in the country, with over 1000 sworn career members and over 2000 volunteers. He served as a governor’s appointee on the State of Maryland EMS Board for 5 years, overseeing budgets for the University of Maryland Fire Rescue Institute, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Maryland State Police Aviation Command and Shock Trauma.
Kyrle holds a Master of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Service Administration from the University of Maryland. He lives in Upper Falls, Maryland with his wife Lisa. They have three children; Ashley - 26, Kyrle IV - 20 and Keegan – 17, and he wants you to know that Under Armour makes you better.
Melissa Wiehenstroer
Melissa is the Private Sector Liaison for FEMA Region III in Philadelphia. In this role, she works with businesses and private organizations across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC and manages the Regional Business Emergency Operations Center (RBEOC). Melissa coordinates with businesses and organizations before, during and after disasters to help prepare their facilities, employees and customers for emergencies, share updates during a response, and connect resources during recovery.
Melissa joined Region III as a Presidential Management Fellow in 2015 and worked on social media, strategic communications, and private sector engagement. During her fellowship, she also completed rotational assignments with the NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office and DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection. Before joining FEMA, Melissa worked at the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships and received her Masters of Public Administration from American University.
Pamela Williams
Pamela Williams currently serves as the Executive Director of the BuildStrong Coalition, a group of firefighters, emergency responders, insurers, engineers, architects, contractors and manufacturers, as well as consumer organizations, code specialists, and many others committed to building a more resilient America. She most recently served as Counsel for the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management and has more than 17 years of federal agency and congressional experience.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Ms. Williams advised the Committee and Congressional leadership on Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Stafford Act, and disaster-related matters. Most notable, she was the principal drafter and successfully led negotiations with multiple committees, House leadership, the Senate, and the Administration, culminating in enactment of the most transformational piece of legislation since Hurricane Katrina, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, P.L. 115-254.
Previously, Ms. Williams served as the Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs for FEMA, where she was responsible for directing and executing the Agency’s legislative program. Prior to joining the FEMA Congressional Affairs office, Ms. Williams served as the Associate Chief Counsel for Legislation and Policy for FEMA, where she managed the Agency’s response to the congressional, White House and departmental investigations. During this time, Ms. Williams served as an Advisor to FEMA, DHS leadership, and the Administration on congressional actions, dispositions, and recommended legislative activities. She was also detailed to the House Appropriations Committee, Homeland Security Subcommittee to work on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) portfolios.
Ms. Williams holds a J.D. from the University of Denver, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Baylor University. After growing up in Central Texas, Pam now lives with her two children, Camilla (9) and Gabriel (5), along the Potomac River in Virginia.
Persia Payne-Hurley
Persia is the creator and
developer of the North Carolina Business Emergency Operations Center, the first
operational BEOC in the nation. She also administers the first statewide Vendor
Disaster Re-Entry Program. Now in its fifth year, the NC BEOC is has over 640
corporate and business partners integrated into North Carolina’s State
Emergency Response Team. The BEOC and State Re-Entry Program operated
successfully during Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Dorian, the Western North
Carolina Wildfires, and the Charlotte Civil Disturbance. Activated alongside
the state for all declarations, the Private Sector Program in North Carolina is
considered a national model by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Persia is a graduate of the
University of Illinois and the Army Command & General Staff College. In her
past life, she served on disaster response teams in the insurance industry and
is a retired Major from the U.S. Army. Persia lives in sunny Durham, NC with
her husband, two children and a disaster ready Yorkie Poo.
Raymond A. Hanna
Ray Hanna has served as the Dept. of Homeland Security, Protective Security Advisor (PSA) for the Baltimore, Maryland District since 2005. He facilitates, coordinates, and performs vulnerability assessments for local critical infrastructure and assets, and provides terrorism/criminal awareness training to both the public and private sectors.
Prior to his DHS employment, Mr. Hanna served for over 22 years as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service (USSS).
Mr. Hanna has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland.
Russell J. Strickland
Russell J. Strickland was appointed as the Executive Director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency by Governor Larry Hogan in July 2015. In this role, Mr. Strickland leads an agency that has the primary responsibility and authority for emergency preparedness policy, and for coordinating hazard mitigation, incident response, and disaster recovery for the State of Maryland. This includes serving as a direct advisor to the Governor during disasters and coordinating support for local governments as requested.Mr. Strickland is an experienced emergency management professional who has more than 40 years of experience in the field of emergency services and first responder activities at the state and local levels of government, academia, and the private sector. This includes expertise in fire and rescue services, emergency medical services, fire inspection and investigation, communications, and emergency management leadership.
Directly prior to his appointment, Mr. Strickland worked as a Senior Law & Policy Analyst at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security (CHHS), where he led CHHS’ work with the United States Department of State Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program and developed strategy for the Montgomery County (Md.) Fire Department to meet compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Mr. Strickland also has experience leading a cabinet-level emergency services department at the local level. Prior to joining CHHS, he served as the Director of Emergency Services in Harford County, Md. This position oversees emergency operations and communications, public safety answering points (the 9-1-1 center), training, and special operations among other responsibilities.
His executive responsibilities have also included previously serving the State of Maryland as Deputy Director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the Assistant Director of the Field Programs Division at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, University of Maryland
College Park.
Mr. Strickland has a Master of Science degree in Management from Frostburg State College. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Maryland, College
Park.
Kelly M. Schulz
Kelly M. Schulz brings a wealth of knowledge to the Maryland Department of Commerce from her years of experience working in the government, in the private sector and as a small business owner. She had previously served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) since her confirmation in February 2015 and is also a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates.
At DLLR, she was responsible for managing an agency with nearly 2,000 employees and an operating budget of more than $375 million. Under her leadership, Maryland's apprenticeship program grew to its highest level since 2008, with more than 10,000 apprentices statewide. DLLR's Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland program received national recognition for both innovation and effectiveness and was named one of the Top 25 programs in the 2018 Innovations in American Government Award competition.
A former member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing Frederick County, she served on the Economic Matters Committee from 2011- 2015. In addition to local issues, then Delegate Schulz took special interest in legislation relating to banks and other financial institutions, business, occupations and professions, economic development, labor and employment, unemployment insurance and workers' compensation.
Prior to embarking on a career of public service, Secretary Schulz sold real estate, worked as a program manager for a defense contractor and was a part-owner of a cyber security firm. She has received several awards including the Outstanding Recent Alumna Award from Hood College in 2011, and is proud to participate as a member in many local community organizations including the Libertytown-Unionville Lions Club and the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company. Kelly is also a past Board member of the Frederick County Habitat for Humanity.
Secretary Schulz obtained her Associates degree from Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York and later obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.
A native of Warren, Michigan, Kelly currently lives in Frederick County, Maryland with her husband John Nowell and has two sons, Brandon and Bradley.
Todd T. Biebel
Mr. Biebel represents Verizon Wireless as a Manager of Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery for the northeast and mid west sections of the United States, conducting communications outreach and response initiatives for all levels of emergency response organizations. Prior to joining the Verizon team, he served 26 years with the New Jersey State Police. During his State Police career, Mr. Biebel held various positions including general duty Trooper, investigator , in-service instructor and, as a member of the Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist (TEAMS) Unit, an elite tactical response unit responsible for conducting High Risk Building Entries, Sniper Operations, Dignitary Protection, Firearms & Self Defense Instruction, High Angle Rescue and Underwater Recovery operations. Transitioning into the Emergency Management Section, he served as a Field Representative, coordinating emergency response efforts between the State Office of Emergency Management and County & Municipal emergency management officials, rising to the position of Assistant Bureau Chief.
Before retiring at the rank of Acting Captain, Communications Bureau Chief, Mr. Biebel commanded over 400 personnel in seven separate Units including, 5 communications / 911 call centers and oversaw communications services to 26 NJ State agencies.
Mr. Biebel holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Public Administration & Emergency Management. He is a graduate of the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Quantico Virginia, and 2010 President of the Executive Board of the N.J. Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates.
Tom Moran
Mr. Moran serves as the Executive Director for the All Hazards Consortium (AHC), a regional 501c3 organization focused on multi-state homeland security, emergency management and business continuity issues in U.S. Mr. Moran supports the AHC’s efforts to assist state/local government in their efforts to integrate the private sector owners/operators of critical infrastructure and federal partners into regional planning, education, exercises and operational projects/initiatives in the areas of Disaster Management, Sensitive Information Sharing, Cyber Security and Solution Development to operational issues.
Mr. Moran spent over 20+ years in the communications and technology industry working in the areas of marketing/sales, customer service, and organizing national user groups. Before retiring in 2003, he spent 9 years serving as a corporate executive liaison to state government leadership on all matters including strategy, contracts, legal, and operations.