Jesse F. Munoz is director of the Mitigation Division for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Region IV office. He manages FEMA’s mitigation programs in the region including updates to flood maps, mitigation grants, risk analysis (earthquake hazards reduction, dam safety, and building science), environmental and historic preservation, floodplain management and insurance.

Munoz was previously the Region IV Recovery Director, responsible for programs that deliver assistance to individuals, local governments, tribal nations and private, non-profit organizations after a disaster. Under Munoz, the Recovery Division helped thousands of citizens affected by disasters with federal grants to help them restore their lives. In addition, the Recovery Division has provided billions of dollars of assistance to help communities in Region IV rebuild infrastructure following major disasters.

Munoz served from June 2004 until November 2007 as one of five federal coordinating officers in Region IV, FEMA’s largest and most active region. In all, he served on 17 disasters – as FCO, deputy FCO or as special assistant to the FCO.

Before joining FEMA, Munoz was with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 28 years – on both active and reserve duty – in assignments ranging from platoon leader to director of military operations for the Corps’ South Atlantic division. Colonel Munoz deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was the first chief engineer of the Afghanistan National Army Project, during which the Corps of Engineers constructed all training, life-support, maintenance and administration facilities for the new Afghan Army. He also deployed to Hungary, Bosnia, Croatia, Panama and Germany to serve in various engineer-related capacities. He has numerous decorations and awards for his service.

Jesse Munoz is married to the former Deborah Stephens and has two daughters. Jesse and his wife reside in the metro Atlanta area. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Munoz graduated from the University of Texas and is fluent in Spanish.