12/23/2008 GAAS:847:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Matthew Bettenhausen as Acting Secretary, California Emergency Management Agency
Announces Francis McCarton as Undersecretary
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced Matthew
Bettenhausen as acting secretary for the California Emergency Management
Agency.
"Throughout his career, Matt has been committed to public
service and safety," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "His leadership on homeland
security at the state and national level is a testament to his experience and
dedication to securing the safety of all Californians. I look forward to working
with Matt in his new role in protecting our state and coordinating with federal
and local agencies to prevent and prepare for any disaster."
Bettenhausen has served as director for the Governor's
Office of Homeland Security since 2005. Additionally, he is currently co-chair
of the National Homeland Security Consortium and vice-chair of the National
Governors Association Homeland Security Advisors Council. Prior to joining the
Schwarzenegger Administration, he served as the first director of State and Territorial
Coordination for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In this position,
Bettenhausen worked directly with all the state's homeland security advisors
and emergency managers on terrorism prevention efforts and all-hazards
prevention, preparedness, response and recovery issues. Previously,
Bettenhausen served as deputy governor for criminal justice and public safety
and special counsel to the Governor of Illinois from 2000 to 2003. In this
position, he directed the law enforcement, criminal justice and public safety
functions of state government. During this time, he was also appointed director
of Homeland Security for Illinois where he coordinated the state's
terrorism and disaster preparedness efforts. In addition, Bettenhausen served
as chair of the Illinois Statewide Criminal Code Rewrite and Reform Commission,
executive director of the Capital Punishment Commission and created the first
statewide Terrorism Task Force in Illinois. From 1987 to 2000, he was a federal
prosecutor in Chicago and served in several supervisory positions within the
U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago.
"I am honored to serve all Californians in this new role and
I look forward to working with the Governor and utilizing my experience to continue
protecting the people of California and better preparing this state for any
emergency. It is also a great opportunity to help lead the
integration of our homeland security and emergency management
teams," Bettenhausen said.
Bettenhausen, 48, of Sacramento, earned a Juris Doctorate
degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the
compensation is $142,965. Bettenhausen is a Republican.
The Governor also announced Francis "Cookie" McCarton as
undersecretary. He has more than 22 years of experience working in emergency
prevention and response. McCarton has worked for the Governor's Office of
Emergency Services where he has served as chief deputy director since 2007 and
previously served as deputy director from 2004 to 2007. Prior to that, he
served as the deputy commissioner for public information for the New York City
Mayor's Office of Emergency Management. In this capacity, McCarton served as
the agency's chief spokesperson and was responsible for all media inquiries
concerning operations, programs, initiatives and activations of the emergency
operations center. He coordinated and participated in all media inquiries
regarding operations during the attacks on the World Trade Center on September
11, 2001. From 1997 to 2000, McCarton served as the public information officer
for the New York City Fire Department. His experience also includes service
with the New York City Emergency Medical Services and the New York City Fire
Department. McCarton began his career as a volunteer firefighter and rescue
captain in Long Island, NY.
"Frank has been a tremendous asset to our state's emergency
preparedness and response efforts," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "I am
confident that his years of service in the emergency management field will
continue to benefit Californians and will help to ensure that we are ready to
respond to any emergency that arises."
McCarton, 40, of Sacramento, earned an associate degree in
business management from Nassau Community College and also attended the
National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. He is certified in coastal storm
preparedness and hazardous materials handling. This position does not require
Senate confirmation and the salary is $116,508. McCarton is a Republican.
"I look forward to using my emergency response and terrorism
experience in this new role and working with the Governor and our local and
federal partners to ensure the protection and preparedness of all Californians
in the event of an emergency," McCarton said.
In September, the Governor signed legislation creating
the California Emergency Management Agency, which strengthens the state's
ability to respond to emergencies and natural disasters by merging the
Governor's Office of Emergency Services and Office of Homeland Security into a
single, streamlined cabinet-level agency.
