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MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. – The Mobile County Emergency Management Agency Authority Board Executive Committee announced Mobile County’s new EMA director, Mike Evans, during a news conference held Aug. 8 at Mobile County’s Emergency Operations Center.
Evans was promoted from the role of Deputy Director upon the retirement of Ronnie Adair, who served as Emergency Management Agency Director since 2009.
MCEMA Authority Board Executive Committee Chair, Saraland’s Deputy Fire Chief Shayne Lovitte, thanked Adair and all previous directors for their leadership and service prior to the announcement of Evans as Mobile County’s seventh full-time MCEMA Director.
Lovitte said the MCEMA Authority Board’s decision to hire Evans was unanimous. He briefly described Evans’ experience, leadership, numerous credentials, and education. “Mike Evans’ more than 20 years in emergency management and his almost 40 years of service in the U.S. Army National Guard represent a tremendous asset to the residents of Mobile County,” said Lovitte.
Evans concurrently serves as a U.S. Army National Guard Sustainment/Logistics Officer at the rank of Brigadier General; he commands the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
Evans thanked the MCEMA Board, Mobile County Commission, and others for the opportunity to lead emergency operations. He briefly explained his goals of effective preparation, dedicated outreach, efficient emergency response, cultivating relationships to ensure peak functioning, and building/maintaining the EMA team moving forward.
“It’s not a matter of if MCEMA will be needed, but when,” said Evans. “The work of Mobile County Emergency Management Agency is crucial to Mobile County’s resilience in the face of storms or other emergencies and I look forward to leading MCEMA as its new director,” he added.
Evans announced that a new Deputy Director of MCEMA will be named soon, he introduced staff and explained roles, and announced that Sherry Crush has been promoted to Director of Plans and Operations with the primary responsibility of preparing, equipping, and manning the Mobile County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during disasters.
Evans also announced a major overhaul to Mobile County Emergency Management Agency’s website, mcema.net, and an upgrade to MCEMA’s app, which now streams the locally broadcast emergency/weather radio content. The app is available from either the Google Play or the Apple store.
“Mobile County Commission has the utmost confidence in Mike Evans to lead Mobile County Emergency Management Agency. He’s already proven himself an exemplary leader and we look forward to seeing what he’ll accomplish in this new role,” said District 1 Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, who spoke on behalf of the Commission at the news conference.
The announcement event concluded with a media tour of Mobile County’s Emergency Operations Center.