UW Emergency Management

April 12, 2019

Barry Morgan Bio

Barry has been selected to become UWEM’s Acting Director, effective May 2, 2023 taking over the administrative duties due to the retirement of long-time Director Steve Charvat.  He previously served as the Plans, Training, and Exercise Manager for UWEM.  Selected in 2019, Mr. Morgan was responsible for working with stakeholders to enhance emergency planning, as well as the development of exercises, and natural hazard mitigation planning for the university.  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he served in a dual role as well, taking on the responsibilities and tasks of the vacant BARC (continuity) Manager position.

Previously, he served as a consultant for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Communication in Arlington, VA.  There he assisted State, Local, Tribal, and Territory (SLTT) agencies through working groups and other collaborative efforts to develop an SLTT Governance Guide for Emergency Communications to assist with the strategic implementation, enhancement and governance of the emergency communications ecosystem, such as, cybersecurity, 9-1-1, Enhanced 9-1-1, Next Generation 9-1-1, and land-mobile radio, as well as improve alert, warnings and notifications.

In 2017, Barry worked for FEMA in the National Exercise Division in Washington, D.C.  There he assisted SLTT agencies with exercise development and conduct to improve capabilities throughout the nation.  He also worked in the National Response Coordination Center for portions of the 2017 hurricane season, supporting response and recovery efforts to areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

He earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Park University and a Master’s Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management from Georgetown University (Hoya Saxa!).  Barry has a passion for improving community’s capabilities through exercises and planning, as well as through natural hazard mitigation strategies. Barry is a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving both stateside and overseas. He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA with his wife, Sarah, and their four children and dog.