Hello – I’m Mike Prasad and I am running for IAEM-USA Region 2 President

Seems lots of folks these days are making announcements about running for president...

I am “throwing my hat in the ring” for IAEM-USA Region 2’s (R2) President. For those who may not know, I am currently the twice elected Vice President of R2 and am also the chair of the IAEM-USA’s national level Children and Disaster Caucus. Members can find my written work in the IAEM Bulletin, as well as frequent tirades (always professional, I hope) on IAEMConnect. I am also a member of the Bylaws Committee and have worked on several national task forces for the IAEM-USA. I have been an IAEM member since 2014, and a Certified Emergency Manager? since 2017. I am running for President because the current President, Anthony Mangeri, MPA,CPM,CEM cannot run for another successive term of office, per our By-Laws. I was originally appointed by Anthony as Vice President in 2021, and I strongly welcome and look forward to his continuity on our Region’s leadership team in a significant active role, as Past President. I also am supporting Anthony in his run for the national Secretary position.

If elected, I plan to continue the strategic planning elements led by Anthony, which your Executive Committee team (including Anthony, Kenneth D. Honig, CEM , Nicole Marks, MEP, CEM , and myself) has developed in our Region, and also showcase the professional Emergency Managers and best practices found in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The role of Regional President – and there are ten Presidents covering the United States – is more like a Federal Reserve Governor, than a state or territorial Governor. While they come from one part of the country, their jurisdiction is the entire nation and they outwardly speak with one voice, through the national Presidential Team. Inwardly, each elected Regional President has an equal vote on the Board, along with each of the Officers of the Presidential Team.

Some full transparency notes from me up front.

I am an independent Emergency Management consultant and am not currently employed by any governmental organization. I have been in the past. I have also been an employee of the American Red Cross but am still an active volunteer with that non-governmental organization. I was also recently elected - as a volunteer - to the board of the New Jersey Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (I am currently their Treasurer/Secretary). I have also written an Emergency Management book for profit; and will continue to write blog posts – and advocate publicly for reforms to and the promotion of professional Emergency Management - under my own name, and job titles other than the IAEM-USA – unless authorized to do so by the national board. I will also recuse myself on any votes or decisions involving any of the personal work I have done - or will do - or any of these organizations or groups I have or continue to work with, to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

I am not seeking re-appointment as the IAEM-USA Children and Disaster Caucus Chair (I believe it would be a conflict to be both a national board member which Regional Presidents are, and a caucus/committee chair), but I plan to remain active with that group as either a member or a board liaison or both. I also plan to continue membership in the Bylaws Committee, if re-appointed/re-selected.

Regional Presidents have a significant role for ‘checks and balances’, as it relates to other national board elected officials (that aforementioned Presidential Team) – and if there are other aspects of our association which you would like to see a greater representation from Region 2, please let me know and be ready to raise your hand as well – I certainly welcome a greater direct leadership participation in national and regional work from anyone willing and able: there are no barriers to entry, for active IAEM-USA members in good standing. Our continuity of good governance relies on the dedication of many, many volunteers willing to step up to various leadership positions, please and thank you. Feel free to DM me with any questions, or reach me via IAEMConnect.

Thank you - and if you are an IAEM-USA Region 2 member look for your ballot in the fall, and please consider voting for me. ???????????