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George W. Foresman
Former Under Secretary of Preparedness
Department of Homeland Security
George Foresman was confirmed by the United States Senate in December 2005 as America’s first Under Secretary of Preparedness at the Department of Homeland Security. On March 31, 2007 he became the first Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs at DHS. In these roles, Foresman has led a comprehensive effort to harmonize the Nation’s preparedness towards integrated capabilities for prevention, protection, and response. He has also has worked closely with a wide array of state and local elected officials and leading business CEO’s to focus on risk management and reduction in securing our nation’s homeland.
Under his leadership, DHS has made major advancements in the areas of private and public sector infrastructure protection, communications interoperability, cyber and chemical security, information sharing and its multi-billion dollar grant programs. Foresman is Manager of the National Communications System, which sets priorities for national contingency telecommunications. Foresman has overseen major DHS initiatives including; the development and implementation of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and it’s supporting 17 Sector specific plans, preparing the first ever national assessments of America’s preparedness as well as interoperability capabilities, strengthening bombing prevention efforts and overseeing the Department’s efforts to implement the lesson learned findings from Hurricane Katrina, including co-Chairing the Department’s update of the National Response Plan.
As a part of Secretary Michael Chertoff’s leadership team, Foresman is a strategic visionary and transformational manager. His nearly quarter-century of experience ranging from front line operations to executive leadership positions brings an instrumental element to the work of the DHS leadership team in formulating a collaborative approach to securing America against the full range of 21st century risks.
Prior to his appointment to the Department of Homeland Security, Foresman had extensive experience in homeland security and emergency response and preparedness. He served as Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness and as Homeland Security Advisor, a cabinet level position in the Administration of Governor Mark Warner. He acted as chief liaison with the White House, the military, Congress, other local governments and the private sector in this capacity. Foresman also chaired the Secure Commonwealth Panel and led the Governor’s initiative responsible for strengthening Virginia’s security and preparedness for emergencies and disasters of all kinds, including terrorism.
Foresman is nationally recognized in the fields of emergency preparedness and homeland security. He was a member and vice-chair of the Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities Involving Terrorism “the Gilmore Commission”, established by Congress in 1998 to evaluate America’s readiness for terrorism. The panel delivered five annual reports to the Congress and President before completing its work in December 2003. More than 146 of the Panel’s 164 recommendations have been adopted in part or whole.
A native of Lexington, Virginia, Foresman began his public safety career as a responder in 1979 and joined Virginia state government in 1985. Throughout his more than 22 years in the field of homeland security and emergency management, he has dedicated himself to protecting the public through activities ranging from serving on the front lines of response to creating and implementing policy at the state and federal levels.
Mr. Foresman is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, as well as the Virginia Executive Institute.
