NY Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Appointments Announced

Jerome Hauer, CEO of The Hauer Group, LLC

Hauer to be Nominated to Commissioner of Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the nomination of Jerome M. Hauer to Commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and the appointment of Steven Kuhr to Executive Deputy Commissioner of DHSES. Mr. Kuhr will also serve as Director of the State Office of Emergency Management.

DHSES includes the Office of Counterterrorism, Office of Cyber Security, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications, and the Office of Emergency Management. The Division is responsible for helping to prepare for and respond to terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters.

"Since I took office, my administration has found ways to increase efficiency and deliver results for the people of the state of New York. No one is better suited than Jerry and Steve to continue that record with New York's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services," said Governor Cuomo.

"They are experts in their fields and bring ample experience from both the public and private sectors that will strengthen our operations and make this vital agency work better for New Yorkers. It is imperative that our state be on the forefront of disaster response and homeland security."

"New York is one of the most thriving and populated states in the nation, and with that comes significant responsibility. It would be my pleasure to serve as Commissioner of DHSES, and I thank the Governor for this prestigious nomination. I look forward to serving the mission of the division and protecting the public safety of the 19 million residents and countless visitors in our great state," stated Hauer.

Steven Kuhr added, "I am thrilled to be given the opportunity by Governor Cuomo to return to public service. As his administration rebuilds the Empire State, it is critical for New York to be prepared and ready to handle any situation. I look forward to our work together to make New York a secure place to visit, work and call home."

Hauer brings almost three decades of experience in the public and private sectors, the majority of which was focused in the areas of security and emergency management. Hauer is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Hauer Group, a consulting firm that provides customized emergency management solutions to public and private clients around the world.

Prior to starting the Hauer Group, he served as a Co-Chair of the homeland security practice of Fleishman-Hillard Government Relations.

From 2002 to 2003, he was the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he was responsible for coordinating the country's medical and public health preparedness and response to emergencies, including acts of biological, chemical and nuclear terrorism.

From 2000-2002, he was the Managing Director of the crisis and consequence management group at Kroll Associates. Hauer previously served as Director of the Office of Emergency Management in New York City from 1996-2000.

Prior to returning to New York, Hauer was also the Director of the Department of Emergency Management for the State of Indiana. During that time, he served on the Congressional Fire Caucus' Urban Search and Rescue Advisory Committee and the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue Advisory Council.

In addition, Hauer was on the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine's Committee to evaluate R&D Needs for Improved Civilian Medical Response to Chemical or Biological Terrorism Incidents.

In 1990, he was named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, where he served for a year. From 1987 to 1989 he worked in New York City's Emergency Medical Services Department-- first as a Deputy Director and later as a Special Assistant to the Executive Director.

Hauer was Research Associate with the Harvard Medical School and Longwood Area Trauma Center from 1980 to 1983. From 1978 to 1980, he was an Associate Administrator with the Red Cross Blood Services' Northeast Region.

Hauer earned his B.A. from New York University in 1976 and his M.H.S. from Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health in 1978 and is currently a doctoral candidate at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom and is expected to complete his degree this December.

Steven Kuhr currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Strategic Emergency Group LLC, an emergency management and homeland security consulting firm where he oversees projects for federal, state and local agencies including the New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and the U.S. Department of Defense as well as various private sector clients.

Prior to joining the private sector, Kuhr served with the City of New York for 20 years. He was Deputy Director for Operations and Planning for the Office of Emergency Management, where he managed programs for catastrophic disasters, terrorism, severe weather and critical infrastructure failures. He also served as Chief and Division Captain of EMS Special Operations with the New York City Fire Department.

Kuhr has written and lectured on emergency management and homeland security around the world. He has taught at FEMA's Emergency Management Institute and the U.S. Department of Defense as an adjunct faculty member.

Kuhr holds a B.S. degree in Emergency Management Administration from State University of New York and is currently completing an M.S. degree in Homeland Security Management from Long Island University. He graduated as a paramedic from the Albert Einstein School of Medicine.

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