Traci Brasher is the Acting Director of the Public Assistance Division, Recovery Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. Traci was detailed to the Senior Executive Service position in January 2020 and previously served as the Recovery Division Director in FEMA Region 6. Traci has worked at the federal, state, and private sector levels for more than 27 years.
As Acting Director, Traci helped lead the Recovery efforts for the unprecedented Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency, leading the PA Division through the unprecedented response. Traci also led PA readiness efforts for the 2020 hurricane season in a pandemic environment, including the successful implementation of interdependent initiatives related to policy, process, staffing, training, and technology Prior to COVID, Traci took decisive action to mature HQ PA business processes and shepherded a re-organization of the Division.
As the Recovery Division Director for FEMA Region 6, Traci has made organizational and leadership development a priority and helped lead the implementation of a mentoring program for the Federal Executive Board DFW. Traci also served as the Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer for Hurricane Harvey and helped lead the Recovery efforts for the unprecedented 2017 Hurricane Season.
Prior to joining FEMA, Traci worked for the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and served in several positions; Acting Supervisory Program Director for Recovery, Mitigation, and Standards where she oversaw Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation and Human Services; State Coordinator for Human Services where she was the Human Services Branch Director in the State Operations Center where she coordinated with over 16 state agencies and voluntary organizations; and State Coordinator for Recovery, Mitigation, and Standards Services.
In 2003, Traci received an appointment to the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations where she was instrumental in the development of a new Emergency Preparedness Training and Outreach Program. In 2007, Traci was named the Director of Emergency Preparedness for the U.S. House of Representatives. Traci was awarded the prestigious Employee Excellence Award in September 2011, for her dedication to the mission and for always demonstrating a superior attitude and demeanor in her service to the U. S. House of Representatives.
Traci began her career in emergency management in 1993 with the U.S. Department of Energy nuclear weapons facility in Amarillo, Texas. In 2000, she was recruited and relocated to the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters office in Washington D.C. where she led the field site no-notice exercise program and implemented an emergency management metrics program.
Traci received a master’s degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University. In addition, Traci received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Organizational Development from Northcentral University in 2010 where she was an active member in Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. Traci completed the necessary coursework and comprehensive exam to become a Doctoral Candidate at Northcentral University.