GRANT C. PETERSON NAMED TO HEAD FEMA DIRECTORATE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90G01353R001700040003-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: December 18, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release
2012/10/22: CIA-RDP90GO1353R001700040003-1 I'
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/22 : CIA-RDP90G01353R001700040003-1
FEDERAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY
News'
Media Contact: Release No.: 87-67
Bill McAda Release Date:
[phone] 18 December 1987
GRANT C. PETERSON NAMED
TO HEAD FEMA DIRECTORATE
helping the agency achieve its goals.
WASHINGTON -- Grant C. Peterson,'a long-time. civic,
political and government leader in the State of Washington, has
been.. confirmed by the U.S. Senate to head the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's State and Local Programs and Support
Directorate.
As an associate director of FEMA, Peterson, 47, will
administer that portion of the agency's more than $600 million
annual budget which assists state and local governments to plan
for, respond to and mitigate the effects of natural and
man-made'disasters and emergencies.
The new associate director's responsibilities range from
administering the nation's civil defense program to emergency
and disaster assistance, radiological emergency and hurricane
preparedness, hazardous materials planning, dam safety and
elements of the Superfund that involve training, relocation
assistance and financial support for state and local government
programs.
Peterson's directorate also manages FEMA's Comprehensive
Cooperative Agreement program, the single mechanism that
provides financial and technical support to state and local
emergency management programs.
He replaces Dr. Samuel W. Speck who left the position in
September, 1986.
Julius W. Becton Jr., director of FEMA, praised Peterson
for his years of government and civic involvement, noting that
those experiences coupled with'his background in emergency and
disaster response programs will contribute measurably toward
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/22 : CIA-RDP90G01353R001700040003-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/22 : CIA-RDP90G01353RO01700040003-1
Add 1 -- Grant C. Peterson...
"Grant Peterson is highly skilled in management and
knowledgeable of the workings of state and local governments,"
Becton said. "These will be valuable assets in supporting
FEMA's.overall mission."
Prior to his nomination by President Reagan, Peterson
served on the Spokane County Commission from January 1982 until
January 1987, one of numerous elected or appointed leadership
positions he has.held. Among those are board or committee
memberships dealing with transit, health, trade, area planning
and education issues. He served on the regional advisory .
committee of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management from 1983 until
1986,
As a Spokane County Commission, Peterson was actively
involved in working with Superfund, the Environmental
Protection Agency, (EPA) and the Washington State Department of
Ecology in the mitigation of contaminated landfills. He also
was instrumental in the creation and construction of a sewer
system for Spokane.-Valley and upgrading emergency operations
and disaster response capabilities.
Peterson told the Senate confirmation panel that the
experience of living through the Mt. Saint Helens disaster in
1980 provided him "a personal understanding of the need for an
effective emergency response and disaster relief program that
emphasize uniform and consistent response capabilities
implemented in a fair and timely manner."
His political activities include serving as Washington
State chairman for the re-election of President Reagan and Vice
President Bush. He also was regional director of a four-state
area for the Republican National Committee in 1980.
In addition to his political service, Peterson earlier
held executive positions in the electronics industry, and from
1971 to 1983 was president of Town & Country Television, Inc.,
which was located in Cheney, Washington, and served the Spokane
area.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/22 : CIA-RDP90G01353RO01700040003-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/22 : CIA-RDP90G01353R001700040003-1
Add 2 -- Grant C. Peterson...
Born in Whitehall, Montana, Peterson was awarded a
Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Washington University
following service as a NATO advisor and special weapons system
monitor in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1966.
Peterson is married and has two children.
December 18, 1987
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/22 : CIA-RDP90G01353R001700040003-1
 STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/22 : CIA-RDP90G01353RO01700040003-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/22 : CIA-RDP90G01353RO01700040003-1