The Homeland Security Project invites you to a lunchtime conversation with Walmart Senior Director for Global Emergency Management Mark Cooper to discuss his experience in emergency management, and his current role promoting community resiliency.
*Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Sam_Parker@hks18.harvard.edu*
Mr. Cooper currently serves as the Senior Director of Global Emergency Management for Walmart Stores, Inc. in Bentonville, Arkansas. His departments are responsible for the company’s security analytical services, business continuity efforts, preparedness (including public/private partnerships), emergency response and operations, and recovery. During his time with Walmart, the Company has responded to numerous disasters including Hurricanes Ike, Isaac, and Sandy.
Previously, Cooper served in the cabinet of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal as the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and as the State's Homeland Security Advisor. While Executive Director, GOHSEP continued to lead the State's recovery efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and responded to an unprecedented number of Federally-declared disasters. These included Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, the British Petroleum (BP) Oil Spill in 2010, and historic flooding along the Mississippi River in 2011. Under Cooper's leadership, Louisiana established the State's first Urban Search and Rescue Team that was deployed to the 2011 Alabama Tornados, a successful public preparedness campaign "Get a Game Plan,” and one of the largest radio interoperability programs in the Country. Partnering with Academia and the private sector, Cooper also led the establishment of the nation's first, fully functional Business Emergency Operations Centers that was named a "best practice" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As a major advocate for public/private partnerships in emergency management, he worked closely with Walmart Stores, Inc. and other private sector companies, which led to his current position.
Prior to returning to his home State of Louisiana in 2008, Cooper spent almost 20 years with Los Angeles County government including Deputy Fire Chief with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. During his time with the County, he responded to the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, 1994 Northridge Earthquake, numerous wildfires, and was part of a team deployed during Hurricane Katrina to assist the City of New Orleans with continuity of government.
Cooper holds both a Masters and Bachelors Degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He serves as a member of the FEMA Administrator's National Advisory Council, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Resiliency Task Force and several, LSU Stephenson Disaster Management Institute Board of Directors, and other boards and volunteer organizations.
This seminar is hosted in coordination with the IGA PIC. It is off the record and nothing said can be published without the speaker's permission.
As space is limited for this event, RSVPs will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Belfer Center Seminars are strictly off-the-record. By requesting to attend the seminar, you agree that you will comply with the Belfer Center's strict policy against recording or disclosing the contents of the seminar. Your access is conditioned on your compliance with these restrictions. Should you violate these rules, the Center will pursue all available legal options and you will be excluded from all future events.
