Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen, MPA ’86, was recently named the chief federal officer in charge of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Allen replaces former FEMA director Michael Brown.

Allen has served in the U.S. Coast Guard since graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1971. On September 11, 2001, he was commander of all Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains. After the terrorist attacks, Allen was in charge of securing the ports and waterways and making sure that local responders in the New York area had the proper vessels, aircraft, and personnel.

In 2002, Allen was named Coast Guard chief of staff, making him the third highest-ranking individual in the Coast Guard. In 2000, Allen was awarded the GW Department of Public Adminstration's Alumni of the Year award.