R. David Paulison ​

• Board Member and Trustee for Underwriters Laboratory
• Board member for NOVA South Eastern University
• Board member on the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University
• Co-Chair of the Resiliency Sub Committee

R. David Paulison is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in emergency and disaster response and recovery, completing seven years of service to our Nation culminating as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This appointment followed a 30-year career in emergency management and emergency service. Mr. Paulison is a proven organizational leader who led the restoration of FEMA as a competent, credible agency while coordinating with public and private entities to provide more responsive and effective disaster assistance to states, communities and disaster victims. He designed and implemented a new strategic vision for FEMA; developed new and creative senior and junior staff; obtained and maximized the value of new resources that more than doubled the budget and staff of the agency; established accountability and coordinated efforts across federal departments and agencies in coordination with State and major city elected officials, non-government and volunteer organizations and the private sector. Responsible to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and the American people for stewardship of FEMA’s $9.6 billion annual budget, a 16,000 plus member workforce and mission profile to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from domestic disasters and emergencies – whether natural, man-made or an act of terror. Mr. Paulison is a highly recognized national speaker and media commentator with significant foreign relations experience.

Mr. Paulison served as Administrator of the United States Fire Administration from 2001-2005, a Senate confirmed Presidential appointee. Additional duties in 2003 and 2004 included service as the Director for Preparedness, FEMA. He also served on the transition team during the design of the Department of Homeland Security. ​

Chief Paulison retired as Fire Chief of Miami-Dade County in 2001 after 30 years in the fire service and nine years as Chief. During his tenure, Chief Paulison was responsible for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the internationally experienced Urban Search and Rescue Team. ​

Mr. Paulison holds a Bachelor of Arts and is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives at Harvard University

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Raymond E. Barnes ​

• Commissioner and Chair of the Aurora Housing Authority
• Board Member Aurora Federal Credit Union
• Past Vice President and Board Member of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
• Board Member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation

Ray Barnes currently serves as President and CEO of Priorities 21, Inc., a successful national and international government consulting firm specializing in Public Priorities for the 21st Century, including public safety and homeland security. Established in 2002, P21 clients include Booz Allen and Hamilton, G&H International Services, Inc., Siemens, the Hong Kong Government, Chamber of Commerce, Rainquet and Associates, the University of Colorado, the National Fire Academy, and various executive search firms. Efforts have supported large, multi-million dollar contracts, multiple project teams and various Federal, State and Local jurisdictions and agencies (i.e., Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Treasury, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency) in accomplishing their goals. Areas of concentration have focused on strategic planning; crisis communication; government affairs; organizational development; continuity of operations, including command and control interactions; and change management between all levels of government and disciplines (FBI, USSS, ICE, DEA, State Patrols, Local Law Enforcements, Fire Departments, etc.), with extensive experience in intergovernmental agreements. ​

Recently, Mr. Barnes and Mr. Paulison launched Global Emergency Solutions as Senior Partners in an effort to expand consulting opportunities and successes. GES specializes in public safety, emergency management and planning, crisis communications, continuity of operations, subject matter expertise, and legislative affairs in both national and international markets. ​

Mr. Barnes serves as a Board Member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Foundation; is a Founding Member and past Co-Chair of the IAFC Committee on Terrorism and Homeland Security; a Board Member of the Aurora Fire Pension; Co-Founder and Board Member of the Marie Sanchez Memorial Scholarship; Commissioner, City of Aurora Housing Authority. In addition, Chief Barnes has served the Fire Service nationally on the joint Department of Justice/Department of Treasury Public Safety Wireless Network and on numerous foundation boards including the International Rotary, Zach Burn Foundation, Westerra Credit Union, Community College of Aurora, and Local Gang Taskforce. ​

Mr. Barnes holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Technology. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Officers Program.