Andrew Velasquez III

Andrew Velasquez III is a seasoned emergency management and homeland security professional who currently serves as the Director of Big City Emergency Management at IEM, a global consulting firm specializing in disaster recovery and emergency management.15

Career Highlights

Velasquez has an extensive background in public service and emergency management:

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): He served as the presidentially appointed Regional Administrator for FEMA's Region V from 2010 to 2016. In this role, he coordinated preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities for six Midwestern states.12

2. Chicago Department of Aviation: Prior to joining IEM, Velasquez was the First Deputy Aviation Commissioner, overseeing administrative and operational functions of Chicago's O'Hare and Midway International Airports.13

3. State and City Positions: He has held cabinet-level positions including Illinois Governor's Homeland Security Advisor, Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and Executive Director of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications.13

4. Law Enforcement: Velasquez began his career with the Chicago Police Department, where he worked for over 10 years.2

Education and Military Service

• M.S. in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University
• MBA in Management from Saint Xavier University
• Completed Executive Leadership programs at the Naval Postgraduate School
• Served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a member of the 305th Psychological Operations Command Battalion13

Achievements and Recognition

• Directed federal response and recovery efforts for 35 major disasters and emergencies while at FEMA.3
• Implemented key initiatives to enhance regional readiness and leverage technology for improved response and recovery operations.2
• Received the Leadership award from the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus for exemplary service as the IEMA Director/State Homeland Security Advisor.4

In his current role at IEM, Velasquez is focused on providing resources and tools for strategic planning, program management, and safety, security, and resiliency initiatives for major metropolitan areas.1 His extensive experience in emergency management, homeland security, law enforcement, and aviation makes him well-suited to address the complex challenges faced by large cities in disaster preparedness and response.