Michael Sharon, MPA, CEM®

Experience

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  US Army

  May 1989 - Aug 2017

  Military Police Officer

  Retired as a Colonel after a 28-year career in the Regular Army, Maryland Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Though trained as Military Police officer, I served in a variety of command and staff assignments including logistics, Defense Support to Civilian Authorities, foreign humanitarian assistance, and as an aide-de-camp. Deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as Deputy Chief of the 316th Sustainment Command's Distribution Management Center,From August 2008 to September 2012 I served as Department of Defense (DoD) emergency preparedness liaison (EPLO) to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Virginia National Guard. I assisted Commonwealth officials in the use of "Title 10" (active duty and Reserve) military forces for emergency preparedness and response. I also advised active duty installation commanders in Virginia on their roles, responsibilities and constraints when supporting civilian officials in time of emergency.I also served as an EPLO to FEMA Region III from August 2001 to September 2006. I assisted FEMA Region III in the use of Title 10 units for emergency response and designed/facilitated exercises to prepare active duty units to assist civilian agencies during disasters. I also participated in DoD responses to the September 11 attacks, Hurricane Isabel, the 2004 Florida hurricanes and Hurricane Katrina. Show less

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  Maryland Emergency Management Agency

  Jun 1993 - Jul 1997

  Assistant Director and Operations Officer at MEMA. I managed the state EOC as well as training, exercises and the state's radiation instrument maintenance and calibration facility. My first job(s) in emergency management (which I found by answering a classified ad in the Baltimore Sun)! I began my emergency management career as the Exercise Officer at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and later worked as a training/exercise specialist in MEMA's Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP).

  • Assistant Director for Operations

    Jul 1995 - Jul 1997

  • Exercise Officer/CSEPP Trainer

    Jun 1993 - Jul 1995
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  Maryland Department of the Environment

  Jul 1997 - May 2004

  Team chief for Maryland's state-level hazardous materials emergency response unit and chief nuclear/radiological emergency planner. I supervised an incredibly talented and well-equipped team of "intervention artists" (hazardous materials specialists) who responded to complex hazardous materials and oil spill emergencies throughout Maryland. I led the Maryland Department of the Environment's planning and preparedness efforts for two nuclear power plants. I developed plans and procedures; trained and exercised our radiological responders; and oversaw an environmental monitoring program that collected air, water, and milk samples near the facilities. I also supervised the state's Noise Control program, which provided technical assistance and enforcement of the state's noise laws and regulations.

  • Chief, Emergency Response Division

    Jan 2000 - May 2004

  • Chief, Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Division

    Jul 1997 - Jan 2000
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  U.S. Department of State

  May 2004 - Jul 2009

  Emergency Preparedness Specialist

  I planned and executed emergency preparedness activities for the Department of State's domestic operations--over 100 locations in 23 states and the District of Columbia. These efforts included facility response plans, continuity planning, Incident Command System implementation and emergency management policy development.

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  FEMA Region III

  Jul 2009 - Apr 2013

  My first position with FEMA was as Chief of the Regional Integration Branch at Region III. I was responsible for a broad range of preparedness programs including emergency management training, exercises, continuity of operations (COOP) and the National Incident Management System. I was also the team leader for the Region's Incident Management Assistance Team 2 (IMAT-2). I deployed for three months after Hurricane Irene/Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 to support Pennsylvania's response and recovery efforts as a Division Supervisor and to provide temporary housing support to survivors. Show less

  • Chief, Operational Planning Branch

    Mar 2012 - Apr 2013

  • Chief, Regional Integration Branch

    Jul 2009 - Mar 2012
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  FEMA

  May 2017 - May 2022

  Deputy Superintendent of FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI). EMI is the emergency management community’s flagship training institution, and provides training to Federal, State, local, tribal, volunteer, public, and private sector officials to strengthen emergency management core competencies for professional, career-long training. EMI trains more than 2 million students annually through residential onsite training; offsite delivery in partnership with emergency management training systems, colleges, universities; and technology-based mediums to conduct individual training courses for emergency management personnel across the Nation.I also served as a Chief of the National Response Coordination Center (Gold Team) and as an on-site liaison to the U.S. Secret Service during National Special Security Events in the National Capital Region. Also served as acting Director of Acting Director of FEMA's Individual and Community Preparedness Division (ICPD), February-April 2021. ICPD connects individuals, organizations, and communities with research and tools to build and sustain capabilities to prepare for any disaster or emergency. Show less Federal Preparedness Coordinator and National Preparedness Division Director at FEMA Region III. I led a diverse team of 20 emergency management professionals responsbile for all-hazards emergency preparedness including continuity of operations, training, exercises, continuous improvement/lessons learned, incident management systems, Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and off-site nuclear power plant emergency readiness. I also served as the Chief of the Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) during emergencies. Show less

  • Deputy Superintendent, Emergency Management Institute

    Nov 2018 - May 2022

  • Federal Preparedness Coordinator/Division Director

    Apr 2013 - Nov 2018

  • Deputy Assistant Administrator (acting), National Preparedness Directorate

    May 2017 - Sept 2017
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  USDA

  May 2022 - now

  Chief, Emergency Programs Division

  Chief of the Emergency Programs Division (EPD) within USDA's Office of Homeland Security. EPD provides world-wide situational awareness to USDA leadership through the 24/7 Operations Center, conducts geographic analysis of evolving emergencies, and works with other elements of OHS to inform homeland security policy and strategy.