Professional services firm gains emergency management expert

Fairfax, VA—December 14, 2009 - Dewberry, a privately-held professional services firm, has named Michael K. Buckley, PE, as vice president for strategic initiatives of management and consulting services (MCS) in the firm’s Fairfax, Virginia, office. In his new role, Buckley will be responsible for identifying, defining, and proposing new strategic initiatives for MCS; identifying new business opportunities with federal, state, and local agencies; and providing executive and technical support to on-going projects.

Buckley has more than 35 years’ experience in the field of emergency management and most recently served as the acting assistant administrator for FEMA’s Mitigation Directorate where he was responsible for an annual operating budget of over $3 billion. During his 29 years at FEMA, he led numerous strategic initiatives and programs to better inform the public of the risk of hazards in their communities and alternatives to reduce those risks. His project work included the initiation of FEMA’s efforts to modernize and update the nation’s flood hazard maps. He also provided policy and program direction for several national programs including the National Flood Insurance Program, Flood Map Program, National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, National Dam Safety Program, National Hurricane Program, and five Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs.

Buckley attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for civil engineering and is a registered professional engineer in Virginia. He has been recognized with several awards including the Goddard-White Award, Association of State Floodplain Managers (2009); Meritorious Presidential-Rank Award (2008); and the Lifetime Achievement Award, Illinois Floodplain Managers Association (2002).

About Dewberry
Dewberry is a 2,000-person professional services firm, specializing in infrastructure engineering, architecture and building engineering, and management and consulting services. Established in 1956, the firm has more than 40 locations nationwide, with headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.dewberry.com.