5/5/2023

Executive Director Kevin Guthrie Appoints Three to the Florida Emergency Management Assistance Foundation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie announced the appointment of Steven Lerner, Javier Marques, and Brian Mimbs to the Florida Emergency Management Assistance Foundation.

 

The Florida Emergency Management Assistance Foundation is a direct-support organization of FDEM that provides assistance, funding, and support in disaster response, recovery, and relief efforts for natural emergencies.

 

Steven Lerner

Steven Lerner currently serves as a Senior Planner for Seminole County where he has established and highlighted benefits of public, private, and nonprofit sector initiatives through community planning efforts and agency engagement. Previously, he has served as a Mitigation and Recovery Coordinator and an Emergency Management Specialist for Seminole County. Steven is both a Certified Emergency Manager and a Florida Professional Emergency Manager. He received his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration with a minor in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from the University of Central Florida and his Masters in Public Safety and Service Leadership from Drury University.

 

Javier Marques

Javier Marques currently serves as Executive Director of the Academy for International Disaster Preparedness as well as the Vice President for Operations and Safety & Chief of Staff at Florida International University (FIU). Mr. Marques has over 23 years of experience in public administration, higher education administration, and public safety. Prior to joining FIU in 2008, Mr. Marques was Chief of Staff for Miami-Dade County. He has been credited for organizing and directing several hurricane relief missions within Florida in the aftermath of numerous hurricanes, as well as the largest organized relief effort to Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 

 

Brian Mimbs

Brian Mimbs currently serves as a Policy Coordinator for the Executive Office of the Governor. Mimbs has an extensive background in state government leadership, most recently serving as the Deputy Secretary for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and Chief of Staff for Enterprise Florida. He is a graduate of Troy University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history.