CUSEC Board Chairman William Burke is retiring from his position as Director of Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Director Burke has served on the CUSEC Board since he came to IEMA in 2003, and was elected Board Chairman in December of 2005. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich announced on March 5 that Andrew Velasquez, Executive Director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, will be appointed as the next Director of IEMA. The appointment will be effective on March 16, 2007, according to the Chicago Tribune. Gov. Blagojevich is quoted as saying that “one of government’s most fundamental and important responsibilities is to keep its citizens safe. Andrew Velasquez has an impressive track record of overseeing emergency response and security for the City of Chicago one of the largest urban areas in our country”. CUSEC Vice-Chairman, James Bassham, will replace Director Burke as the CUSEC Board Chairman. Arkansas Director David Maxwell will serve as the new CUSEC Board Vice-Chairman, and Missouri Director Ron Reynolds will remain CUSEC Board Secretary/Treasurer.
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