ProfNet Sources Available on Hurricane Season

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In light of hurricane season, following is a list of 36 experts who can discuss various aspects of hurricane season with reporters. Photos of some of the following experts are available on ProfNet Connect. You can view them here: http://bit.ly/KfuWHC

DISASTER RESPONSE:

Frances L. Edwards, MUP, Ph.D., CEM
Director of the Master of Public Administration Program and Professor of Political Science
San Jose State University (SJSU) in California
Edwards is deputy director of the National Transportation Security Center of Excellence at the Mineta Transportation Institute at SJSU, where she teaches emergency management in the Master of Science in Transportation Management program; and deputy director of the SJSU Collaborative for Disaster Mitigation. In 2009, Edwards was appointed the U.S. Chair for the European Union's CAST Project to create common curricula for first responders across the EU. She is a "subject matter expert" for the Department of Homeland Security, and has served as a Site Visitor for the National Science Foundation. She is a member of the American Society for Public Administration's (ASPA) Hurricane Katrina Task Force, Haitian Earthquake Task Force, and the immediate past chair of ASPA's Section on Emergency and Crisis Management. She has published over 35 articles on emergency management-related issues. She has organized earthquake preparedness workshops for National Science Foundation, governments in Japan, and NATO. She has given papers at over 35 conferences, and she was a member of the California Seismic Safety Commission, contributing to public guides on earthquake preparedness, the Northridge earthquake reports and the state's earthquake mitigation plan. Edwards is co-author of FEMA's course on "Homeland Security and Emergency Management."
Expert Contact: [email protected]

Charley English
Director
GeorgiaEmergency Management Agency (GEMA)/Homeland Security
English was sworn in by Governor Nathan Deal as GEMA/Homeland Security Director in January 2011. He has served in the agency since 1996. English oversees all state governmental actions designed to ensure mitigation and preparedness, appropriate response and timely recovery from natural and manmade hazards which may impact the state of Georgia. During his career, English was a member of the G8 Summit security planning team and has coordinated the state's response to nine presidentially declared disasters and numerous states of emergency declared by the governor.
Bio: http://bit.ly/JZGtEG
Twitter: @GeorgiaEMA
News Contact: Lisa Janak-Newman, [email protected]

Dave Hunter
Author
In 2004, Florida was hit with eight hurricanes. In December of that year, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's office contacted author Hunter to request that he write a Florida hurricane interstate evacuation guide. "Along Florida's Expressways" (now in its third edition) was the result. Its colored 25-mile-per-page strip maps cover all the state's interstates, toll routes and freeways. The state has endorsed the book as the guide it uses in all its welcome centers for Florida driving information. Hunter's best-selling drive-to-Florida "snowbird" driving guide, "Along Interstate-75," has been used extensively by many Floridians to evacuate on the freeway, northward to the safety of Georgia and Tennessee. Hunter is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the North American Travel Journalist Association (NATJA).
Website: http://www.i75online.com
News Contact: Kathy Steers, [email protected]

Rick Miltimore
National Director of Resources and Relief, U.S. Programs
World Vision
"In the U.S., we often have robust responses and abundant resources available for disaster relief. This brings several challenges. When gifts in kind and volunteer resources are most available, experience to manage them effectively is often in short supply."
Miltimore serves as World Vision's national director of resources and relief, where he works to improve how we support partners across the U.S. who are working to provide relief, alleviate poverty and improve the lives of vulnerable children. He joined World Vision in 2010, bringing 15 years of logistics and operations experience. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. World Vision is especially concerned about vulnerable families that can fall through the cracks of a mainstream response and works closely with church and community partners in affected areas to make sure resources get to the most vulnerable. Miltimore's background includes serving as director of sales and marketing at a $300 million trucking company and as division operations manager for a $350 million division of a wood products company.
Website: http://www.worldvision.org
News Contact: Mindy Mizell, [email protected] or +1-202-355-3690

Adam Montella
COO
Government Technologies Group
Montella is an expert on homeland security, disasters, survival, preparedness and business continuity. With more than 27 years of direct homeland security and emergency management experience in government and private industry, Montella has worked at the local, state and federal levels of government, as well as private industry, and with the American Red Cross. His experience is highlighted by serving in senior management positions on well over 100 headline disasters including Hurricanes Hugo, Andrew and Katrina, as well as the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, and the anthrax release at the U.S. Capital. In addition, he served on the State of Florida Rapid Impact Assessment Team (RIAT) and has served on the FEMA's Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) at FEMA headquarters. His efforts in the field of emergency management earned him and his agency the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award from Harvard University. For the last 17 years, he has had a strong focus on weapons of mass destruction and counter- and anti-terrorism. Montella is a current member of numerous local, state, national and international emergency management associations and is one of the feature writers for the "Domestic Preparedness Journal" and "Inside Homeland Security." Montella holds more than 40 certifications in planning, emergency management, homeland security, and disaster response and recovery.
News Contact: Yin Chang, [email protected] or +1-973-474-2330

Alan Rubin
Partner
Cozen O'Connor, law firm
Rubin is FEMA's go-to disaster recovery strategist. Following recovery efforts after Hurricane Andrew, Rubin has become known as the "Hurricane Czar" by the federal government and state and local officials throughout the country. Hurricane Andrew was the first natural disaster totaling over $30 billion and 28,000 Section homes. While working in the Lehman Brothers' investment banking division, Rubin helped design and underwrite the catastrophic fund for hurricane relief and rebuilding the state of Florida. This led to Rubin serving as vice president of Beacon Council (the Miami-Dade Economic Development Agency). There, he led major reconstruction efforts after Hurricane Andrew and facilitated the economic recovery of small business devastated by the storm. In his work on disaster recovery, Rubin works with clients through three stages: 1) The basics: putting people back in homes, food, water and other essentials. 2) Getting the local government up and running. 3) Foreseeing and planning for psychological issues from the disaster. Approximately nine months later, people involved in disasters start to show the psychological damage, such as starting to shoot each other and other type of reactions. After Hurricane Andrew and several other major disasters, he started working with the federal government also on military base shutdowns (which is one example of a manmade disaster that he has handled).
Website: http://www.cozen.com
News Contact: Rebecca Green, [email protected] or +1-347-529-6944

Mark K. Shriver
Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs
Save the Children
Shriver created Save the Children's domestic emergency programs in 2005 to ensure the safety and well-being of children before, during and after disaster strikes. He led a national coalition that convinced Congress to create the National Commission on Children and Disasters and was appointed to the commission by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). He was elected chairperson by his fellow commissioners and served in that role for the life of the commission (2008-2011). Under Shriver's leadership, Save the Children's U.S. programs work to ensure a fair start for all children in the United States, including the nearly one in four living in poverty. Shriver developed Save the Children's early childhood development, literacy and health programs, which benefit more than 70,000 children living in some of the most impoverished regions of the United States. Studies reveal that 68 percent of children showed major improvement after participating in the literacy program, and the percentage reading at or above grade level more than doubled from the start of the school year to the end.
"If we're not prepared to protect kids during disasters, we're not prepared to protect America. Parents assume that their children are taken care of when they drop them off at school or child care. Many schools and child care facilities are not required to meet basic standards to protect kids should a disaster strike. For the 67 million kids separated from their families on any given day, this is unacceptable."
Twitter: @mark_shriver
News Contacts: Sarah Thompson, [email protected] or +1-202-640-6931; or Betsy Zorio, [email protected] or +1-202-640-6612

Joe Wilson
President of Alerting and Notification Systems
Federal Signal
Wilson has proven experience designing, implementing and monitoring the efficacy of alert and notification systems that effectively communicate during emergencies. In addition to the trends, challenges and outlook for disaster preparedness, emergency management and public safety, Wilson can address: 1) how mass notification systems issue warnings through a variety of mediums in real time (through sirens, TV, phone calls, text message, social media, etc.); 2) the greatest public safety concerns among Americans (60 percent are most concerned about a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, according to the survey data); 3) how human factors, such as age, physical disabilities and cultural differences, complicate communications and ways emergency respondents mitigate these challenges; 4) how advances in technology have created new channels for mass notification systems and ways they have created additional layers of complication and complexities; 5) the most effective and efficient ways to reach the public in cases of emergency. Wilson knows the technology, risk and communications pitfalls that can rattle even the most seasoned emergency managers -- and more importantly, he knows how to address them.
Website: http://www.federalsignal.com
News Contact: Luke Cushman, [email protected] or +1-312-255-3080

Jeff Wright
Operations Director of Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs
World Vision
Wright is an operations director for humanitarian and emergency affairs with World Vision, managing a team of professional aid workers covering international disasters and relief programs for the past five years. Wright's perspective is shaped by 20 years of experience in international relief and development. He's been involved on the ground in many of the major relief responses in recent memory, including Hurricane Mitch in 1998, post-war Angola in the early 2000s, the Asian tsunamis of 2004, and most recently, the Haiti earthquake. Wright holds an MA in cultural anthropology and is fluent in Vietnamese. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
Website: http://www.worldvision.org
News Contact: Lauren Fisher, [email protected] or +1-206-310-5476

INSURANCE:

Kevin O. Alsup
Vice President of Insurance Service
Foundation Financial Group
Alsup is well-versed on many insurance matters, including homeowners insurance and weather-specific topics as they relate to insurance. He has been interviewed by several media outlets, including both local and national outlets, and he is easily accessible. Foundation Financial Group specializes in mortgage lending, insurance services as well as tax services.
Website: http://www.ffg.com
News Contact: Cristin Jordan, [email protected] or +1-904-861-2161

John Egan
Managing Editor
Bankrate Insurance
Egan is able to address homeowners insurance and renters insurance questions surrounding hurricane season. Bankrate Insurance's websites include InsuranceQuotes.com, InsureMe.com and NetQuote.com.
Twitter: @JohnJEgan
News Contact: Ted Rossman, [email protected] or +1-917-368-8635

HCC Medical Insurance Services (HCCMIS)
HCCMIS, a provider of travel medical insurance, sets up emergency evacuations for their clients who are overseas in disaster situations, such as hurricanes.
Website: http://www.hccmis.com
Twitter: @HCCMIS
News Contact: Nikki Stroud, [email protected] or +1-317-202-2280

Rick Morgan
Senior Vice President for Property Claims
Zurich Insurance (North America)
Morgan has been in the property claim industry for more than 30 years and is experienced in all areas of first-party property coverage and claim handling. He has led the claim response for major catastrophic losses over the last decade and some of the most complex losses experienced by Zurich. When disaster strikes, Morgan's catastrophe-response team is the first to respond. He can address what takes place in the hours before and after a catastrophic event.
Expert Contact: [email protected]

Rick Stern
Boat Product Manager
Progressive Insurance
Stern can discuss boat insurance and safety as it relates to hurricane season: "As hurricane season nears, consider including insurance in your preparedness plan. Obviously you want to make sure your boat is stored safely away from the water when a storm approaches, but before the storm season hits, re-evaluate your coverages. Is your boat covered to limits that you're comfortable with? Do you store water-sports equipment or fishing gear on your boat that you want to make sure you have coverage for? There are plenty of questions to ask to make sure you're worry-free when storm season comes along."
News Contact: Stephanie Garman, [email protected] or +1-646-428-0615

Robert Stewart
Vice President of Risk Management Services and Loss Prevention
The Private Client Group of Chartis, one of the world's largest property and casualty insurers
Stewart's expertise lies in advising affluent homeowners on what steps they can take to protect their homes (and possessions) in advance of a hurricane or other potentially property-damaging disasters. He also can offer tips on what to do in the immediate aftermath of such a disaster.
"Homeowners should remember that most insurers will place a moratorium on the purchase of new policies in the days leading up to a hurricane, and that policy coverage can vary from one insurer to another."
News Contact: Peter Himler, [email protected] or +1-516-729-6461

Gary Thompson
Partner in the Insurance Recovery Group
Reed Smith LLP
Thompson represents and advises policyholders (never insurers) with regard to insurance matters in a broad range of disaster recovery issues, including claim preparation, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation in state and federal court. He has been the lead lawyer on dozens of major claims, collecting over one billion dollars in court verdicts, arbitration awards or negotiated settlements. Thompson recently won a $28 million jury verdict and a $60 million court verdict. His expertise is particularly well-developed with respect to first-party property and business interruption insurance, directors and officers insurance, political risk insurance, employee dishonesty insurance, and liability insurance (such as for tort, asbestos, discrimination, environmental and other liabilities).
Bio: http://www.reedsmith.com/gary_thompson
News Contact: Joven Cabanday, [email protected] or +1-212-993-1126

Travelers Insurance
Travelers, a leading provider of home and auto insurance, offers three experts that have decades of experience and can offer great insight into how homes and businesses can better prepare for a hurricane, as well as deal with the aftermath.
-- Ray Stone, vice president of catastrophe management: Stone has more than 30 years of industry experience and is based in the company's National Catastrophe Center, where he plays a leading role in coordinating the company's response to help impacted customers. He has been responding to natural disasters since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
-- Al Niederfringer, second vice president, Travelers risk control: Niederfringer has vast experience in the company's risk control department and can provide guidance on how companies can plan to manage risks associated with storms, including the five key points to establishing an effective business continuity plan.
-- Jim Gustin, property specialist, Travelers risk control: Gustin can provide recommendations for the key steps homeowners and business owners can take to help them prepare for and mitigate damage to their property. He can speak to common preparation myths that do not help prevent damage, and the key steps to take to secure property as storm season approaches.
News Contact: Kevin Flight, [email protected] or +1-617-502-4350

Angela Wheeler
Claims Consultant
RJF Agencies, Inc., based in Minneapolis
Wheeler is a property damage specialist, and she can explain what businesses can and should expect from their insurance carrier in the event of a weather-related catastrophe.
Q&A on the subject with Wheeler is here: http://bit.ly/IYsiju
News Contact: Jeff Trauring, [email protected] or +1-612-337-0700

BUSINESS:

Dr. Howard Botts
Vice President and Director of Database Solutions
CoreLogic Spatial Solutions
Botts is a recognized field expert in natural-hazard risk analysis, geospatial technology and geographic information systems (GIS) who specializes in pinpointing the threat hurricanes and other natural disasters pose homes across the U.S. He leads a team of GIS professionals for CoreLogic (leading provider of data, analytics and business services) who generate and maintain natural-hazard databases for the insurance industry. The data Botts and his team aggregate and analyze is highly useful for homeowners, emergency responders, insurance companies and others who must prepare for and rebuild homes and lives following a disaster. Botts also leads his team in preparing rapid risk analyses in response to developing storms during hurricane season, producing detailed maps illustrating storm-surge risk in areas that fall within the projected path of a storm.
News Contact: Lauren Salay, [email protected] or +1-202-232-6627

Dr. Mark Campbell
Chief Strategy/Technology Officer
Unitrends
Campbell can discuss: 1) how to ensure a small business survives the hurricane season, 2) tips and techniques to keep your data protected during hurricane weather, 3) the importance of data backup, 4) things to look for when selecting data-protection solutions for disaster recovery.
Campbell has been a member of the board of directors of Unitrends since September 2009. Unitrends enables its customers the freedom to focus on their business instead of backup, through scalable, all-in-one disaster recovery and backup solutions. Prior to joining Unitrends, Campbell co-founded mindAmp Corporation, which provided high-technology business and software development consulting. Previously, he worked as the senior vice president of the systems management business at Legent Corporation, and thus led over 1,000 marketing experts, product and project managers, and engineers in the United States and Europe. Campbell left Legent after successfully helping to steer the company in its acquisition by Computer Associates. Before joining Legent, Campbell was a vice president at NCR Corporation where he had profit and loss responsibility for its $1.5+ billion server business. In this capacity, he was responsible for over 1,500 marketing and product management professionals and engineers in the United States, Europe, India and China. Campbell earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of South Carolina and a degree in international business from INSEAD.
Twitter: @Unitrends_Inc
News Contact: Margaret Bonilla, [email protected] or +1-603-548-0693

Mark Emery
Global Director of Record Information Management Consulting Services
Recall Corporation
"Disasters, such as hurricanes, typically leave organizations little or no time to secure critical physical documents, so it is mission-critical to create a records information management (RIM) plan and integrate strategies that proactively enforce it. An implemented, clearly communicated and strictly enforced strategy will greatly strengthen the facilitation of business continuity during times of emergency. Whether files are stored on-site or off-site, and regardless of format, all departments must clearly know what records are most important, where they are retained and how to access them."
Emery can discuss best practices for securing critical physical documents and maintaining compliance mandated by Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA/HITECH.
News Contact: David Sprague, [email protected] or +1-781-684-6254

Randy Heffernan
Vice President
Palisade Corporation
"Regardless of industry, Mother Nature is a force which must be considered seriously. The occurrence of weather-related news items and other types of natural disasters seem to be more frequent, and there is little doubt that weather risk should be considered when developing overall risk management plans. This is not a simple task -- even five-day forecasts can be decisively inaccurate. However, it is possible to consider the types of natural risks an industry may face on an annual basis. In doing so, organizations can reasonably determine the severity of such factors and potential financial loss. This knowledge affords decision-makers the opportunity to make beneficial decisions based on the most probable risk factors."
Heffernan can discuss utilization of risk analysis, which allows organizations to forecast the impact that risk factors, such as hurricanes, may have on organizations (energy, insurance, transportation, etc.).
News Contact: David Sprague, [email protected] or +1-781-684-6254

Panos Kouvelis, Ph.D.
Emerson Distinguished Professor of Operations and Manufacturing Management
Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis
"Even though companies are exposed to natural disasters, their ability to handle those scenarios will either put them at a disadvantage or ahead of the game. Disaster management and risk management in global supply chains can actually be a competitive advantage. It's not pure risk minimization; you have to think of it as an opportunity to get ahead of the game by being better prepared."
Kouvelis is an expert on global supply chain management, risk management in supply chains and commodity risk management. He is well-qualified to talk about how supply chains are impacted by natural disaster. Here is a media tip, with video, regarding Kouvelis' thoughts on supply disruption in relation to tornados: http://bit.ly/KM9Hu6
News Contact: Neil Schoenherr, [email protected] or +1-314-935-5235

Laura Moore, MEHS, CRM, CIC
Risk Management Consultant
RJF Agencies, Inc., based in Minneapolis
Moore specializes in helping companies develop risk prevention and disaster response programs. She's an expert on insurance issues, risk management, disaster recovery, loss prevention, claims management and workplace safety.
Bio: http://bit.ly/KI7mhT
News Contact: Jeff Trauring, [email protected] or +1-612-337-0700

PET SAFETY:

Dr. Heather Case
Director of the Scientific Activities Division
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in Illinois
Case oversees AVMA's Scientific Activities Division to include AVMA's emergency preparedness and response activities.
"Having a plan in place to provide care for your animals before a disaster provides peace of mind. Pulling together an effective animal disaster plan and evacuation kit is relatively easy to do before the disaster happens."
Twitter: @AVMAVMAT
News Contact: Sharon Granskog, [email protected]

Dr. Cheryl Eia
Coordinator of Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Assistant Director of the Scientific Activities Division
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in Illinois
Eia coordinates emergency preparedness and response activities for the American Veterinary Medical Association, which includes outreach and education to its members and the general public on emergency preparedness, and including animals in emergency preparedness and response plans.
"Everyone should have an emergency plan, not just during hurricane season, but for any time of the year; and this plan should include pets and other animals."
Twitter: @AVMAVMAT
News Contact: Sharon Granskog, [email protected]

Dr. Dick Green
Director of Disaster Response, Field Investigations and Response
ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
"Disaster incidents are becoming more prevalent, and our country is experiencing an increase in severe weather conditions. It's therefore critical to have response measures in place so that we're prepared to help animals that are in critical need."
Green is responsible for leading the disaster response efforts for the ASPCA's Field Investigations and Response team, which covers natural and man-made disasters, as well as large- and small-animal rescue operations. He also oversees the ASPCA's internal disaster readiness program and develops partnerships with national and local agencies to enhance the organization's disaster response capabilities. Green has global disaster response expertise, having previously served as emergency-response manager of disasters at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). He managed the animal-rescue and relief efforts of 24 domestic and international responses, including the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan and severe flooding that affected communities in upstate New York following Hurricane Irene. Green is a frequent speaker on such topics as best practices in animal evacuations, relief and recovery efforts.
News Contact: Bret Hopman, [email protected] or +1-212-876-7700, ext. 4574

Tim Rickey
Senior Director, Field Investigations and Response
ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
"Natural disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. The key is preparing well in advance and ensuring that your pets are included in your plans."
Rickey is regarded as a national expert in disaster response, having led recovery efforts following hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike; major flooding in Iowa, Tennessee and Kentucky; and multiple Missouri incidents, including ice storms, flooding and tornadoes. He also directed field operations for large-scale animal rescues in states throughout the Midwest and Southeast, and was instrumental in ensuring that animals are included in statewide disaster planning throughout Missouri. Rickey is certified in numerous animal-rescue operations, including large-animal, swift-water and rope rescue, and has completed Department of Homeland Security/FEMA coursework.
News Contact: Bret Hopman, [email protected] or +1-212-876-7700, ext. 4574

BUILDING:

Joseph Basilice
President
OceanSafe, Inc.
OceanSafe is a leading U.S. manufacturer of sustainable building systems made of easy-to-build steel structural insulated panels (SSIPs). The company was originally created to provide sustainable and durable buildings to meet the demand for residential and commercial use in hurricane-devastated areas in the Caribbean. It is expanding worldwide, providing immediate and permanent volume solutions to both housing and commercial infrastructure needs. Basilice manages the company's strategic growth plan, which includes bringing sustainable rebuilding to New Orleans and the American Gulf Coast region. He is also working with the company to provide support to ongoing building projects throughout the Caribbean region, including Haiti. Basilice oversees the company's operations to ensure production efficiency, quality service and cost-effective management of resources. He promotes OceanSafe by speaking publicly, authoring articles and participating at conferences. He has built a reputation as a recognized expert in the national and international green, sustainable-building and construction sectors. Basilice's planning and policymaking with world leaders, religious groups, renowned architects, builders, developers, and for-profit and non-profit organizations has made OceanSafe a leader in today's high performance, green, energy-efficient and weather-resistant world of building and development.
News Contact: Bill Corbett, Jr., [email protected] or +1-516-775-0435, ext. 1

Dr. Vincent Basilice
CEO
OceanSafe, Inc.
OceanSafe is a leading U.S. manufacturer of sustainable building systems made of easy-to-build steel structural insulated panels (SSIPs). He has developed strategic relationships in the political and corporate arenas to aid in the company's development, meeting with senators who are on appropriations committees and former President Bill Clinton, who has a strong interest in sustainable building. OceanSafe is currently spearheading projects with FEMA and is the structural insulated panel (SIP) building material of choice for movie star and activist Brad Pitts' Make It Right Foundation and the Sustainable New Orleans Plan. OceanSafe's contract with Roegish-Messingher, a Washington D.C.-based consulting group, has aided and expedited development with the appropriate contacts. Spearheading a grassroots educational approach to SIPs and OceanSafe in particular, OceanSafe is a partner with The Green Home Builders Association, as well as the American Institute of Architects. For the past 31 years, Basilice has also owned a successful private practice named The Ophthalmic Center. He belongs to more than 25 medical societies and hospital staffs and is currently on the attending staff in ophthalmology of his New York hospital where he specializes in cosmetic and refractive surgery.
News Contact: Bill Corbett, Jr., [email protected] or +1-516-775-0435, ext. 1

Brian Trimble, P.E., LEED AP
Regional VP, Engineering Services and Architectural Outreach
Brick Industry Association (BIA) in Reston, Va.
Trimble's extensive technical experience includes serving as chairman C12.03 of ASTM International and director for the Construction Specifications Institute. He has more than 25 years of experience in the masonry industry, assisting design professionals in the design of brick and masonry structures. He is a frequent lecturer to local, regional and national construction industry groups. He has authored many articles and papers on various masonry subjects. Trimble has worked at BIA for more than 19 years serving in various positions. Besides his long tenure at BIA, he has worked for a brick manufacturer and the International Masonry Institute. He now heads up architectural and builder outreach in the 17-state Midwest/Northeast region for BIA.
Website: http://www.gobrick.com
Twitter: @bricktrimble
Expert Contact: [email protected]

WEATHER:

Jeff Johnson
Chief Science Officer
Telvent DTN
"While the overall Atlantic Basin tropical threat could be closer to long-term averages, the threat to the U.S. may be greater due to a few favorable ingredients. There has been only one U.S. hurricane landfall in the past three years, which should not lead to complacency or expectations that this lull will continue."
Johnson is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist, accredited by the AMS for his knowledge and expertise in the field of meteorology, as well as Telvent DTN's foremost long-range forecasting expert.
Expert Contact: [email protected]

Mike Smith
Senior Vice President
AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions, a weather risk mitigation company
Smith is an atmospheric scientist and severe-weather expert. He has received 19 patents in the fields of weather science, emergency management, and search and rescue. A Fellow of the American Meteorology Society, he has received their award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advance of Applied Meteorology; and he has twice received their award for Outstanding Service to Meteorology by a Corporation. Smith is a frequent speaker and author of both popular and technical weather-related topics. He has appeared on The Discovery Channel, The History Channel and Fox News, as well as all of the major networks. He has also been in Rolling Stone Magazine and featured on Coast to Coast AM, High Intensity and NPR radio.
Twitter: @usweatherexpert
Website: http://meteorologicalmusings.blogspot.com
News Contact: Lindsay Durfee, [email protected] or +1-407-299-6128

University of Miami
The University of Miami offers 22 experts who can discuss various aspects of hurricane season, including air-sea interactions, real-time observations and forecasting, meteorology and physical oceanography, engineering and architecture, coastal dynamics and erosion, and coping with stress, among other related topics. You can see a full listing of all the experts here: http://bit.ly/JfoMRH
News Contact: Alexandra Bassil, [email protected] or +1-305-284-5500

PUBLIC HEALTH:

Cheryl Luptowski
Public Information Officer
NSF International, a nonprofit public health and safety organization
Luptowski can provide tips, advice and commentary on home safety during hurricane season. Examples of topics she can discuss include: what to have in your disaster readiness kits, what types of foods to pack (beyond your typical canned tuna fish), disaster supplies checklist, cleaning up after a disaster and food safety emergency tips.
News Contact: Paula DeGangi, [email protected] or +1-646-935-4029

Robert Weitz
Certified Microbial Investigator (CMI) and Principal
RTK Environmental Group
"Knowing how to prepare your home for a hurricane and what steps to take if you have damage immediately after the storm are critical elements in minimizing destruction to your home and wallet. Hurricanes are a major headache because long-terms effects like water contamination and mold growth can pop up months after the storm. Even if homeowners are quick to clean up floodwater, dry out basements, and power-wash and bleach their walls, they may not have realized that their walls were soaked through. Now, mold is growing behind their wallboards, ceilings and other hidden places."
Weitz can offer tips on how to prepare your home or business for a hurricane, as well as what you can do to prevent or contain environmental hazards after a hurricane. He is a veteran CMI and expert in environmental testing for mold, lead, water, soil and indoor air quality. RTK Environmental Group is one of the largest environmental testing firms in the Northeast.
Website: http://www.rtkenvironmentalgroup.com
Twitter: @RTK_mold_lead
News Contact: Jennifer Galluzzo, [email protected] or +1-914-242-0010

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/PRNewswire -- May 31, 2012/

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