Springfield, Illinois: Jonathon E. Monken was appointed by Governor Pat Quinn as acting Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) on February 14, 2011. As acting director, Mr. Monken oversees Illinois’ disaster preparedness and response, nuclear safety and homeland security programs, as well as the agency’s 225+ employees and a budget of more than $618 million. In this capacity, he also serves as the Illinois Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor. Prior to becoming IEMA acting director, Monken served for two years as acting Director of the Illinois State Police. As acting director, he was in charge of a staff of 3,400 sworn and civilian personnel in five major divisions, including the third largest crime laboratory system in the world, and an annual agency budget of approximately $428 million.
Clanton, Alabama: Art Faulkner was appointed on January 7, 2011, by Governor Robert Bentley to serve as the director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. With nearly 22 years of experience in State and local government, Director Faulkner formerly served as the director of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, the police chief of Coosada, Alabama for three years and Elmore County 9-1-1 Director/ Assistant EMA Director for three years. In 1996, Art moved to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to serve as the State 9-1-1 Coordinator. While in that position, he helped establish new 9-1-1 programs and served as an assistant to the Chairman of the State Wireless 9-1-1 Board. Director Faulkner also served as Acting Director of Operations from 2002 to 2003 and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the agency.
CUSEC wishes both Directors well in their new roles as State Emergency Management Director in their states.