Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff, in consultation with the President, today appointed Donald E. Powell as Coordinator of Recovery and Rebuilding in the Gulf Coast Region. Powell will serve as the Administration’s primary point of contact with Congress, state and local governments, the private sector, and community leaders on mid and long-term recovery and rebuilding plans in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

As Coordinator, Powell will report to the President through Secretary Chertoff and be responsible for developing specific goals and coordinating policies and programs for mid-to-long-term federal recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Gulf States Region. He is expected to coordinate federal involvement in support of state and local officials on issues ranging from economic development to infrastructure rebuilding. Vice Admiral Thad Allen will continue to coordinate immediate and short-term operational issues on behalf of the federal government in support of state and local governments. It is anticipated that Allen will transition out of his role in the field by the end of this year.    

“I am gratified that Don will be coordinating the federal government’s long-term effort to helping rebuild the devastated communities in the Gulf Coast Region,” said Secretary Chertoff. ”Don has the leadership, ideas and optimism that the residents of the Gulf Coast Region deserve.”

Powell served as Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) since August 2001. He has more than 30 years experience in the financial services industry. Prior to entering public service, Powell was President and CEO of the First National Bank of Amarillo, Texas. He has a history of community service, having served as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the Texas A&M University System and Chairman of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. Powell has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from West Texas State University and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.