Kristen Martinenza is the Chief of the Risk Analysis Branch in FEMA Region IV’s Mitigation Division. In this capacity, she leads a team of more 20 engineers, planners, outreach and administrative staff who support local and state efforts in eight Region IV states to understand, plan for and mitigate risks from all hazards. She oversees the flood mapping, dam safety, building science, outreach and mitigation planning programs for FEMA Region IV.

Prior to her current role, she served as a Senior Civil Engineer in the Risk Analysis Branch for the Mitigation Division. Her responsibilities included managing the Cooperating Technical Partners program, an integral part of Risk Analysis and Mapping with numerous state and local partners. She also led the Engineering/Technical Review Team for Benefit Cost Analysis and conducted training technical and mapping issues for states and communities throughout Region IV.

Prior to joining FEMA in December 2008, Martinenza was a Senior Engineer/Project Manager with experience in stormwater management, drainage design, and floodplain hydrology and hydraulics, as well as site development drainage and riverine modeling.  She was actively involved in the National Flood Insurance Program as a Project Manager and Senior Engineer performing technical and procedural reviews for flood insurance studies, physical map revisions and map revisions.

Ms. Martinenza has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University with a minor in environmental engineering.  She is registered as a Professional Engineer and a Certified Floodplain Manager.