Shane and Jessica were able to find a few minutes to sneak in some questions with the Deputy Director of External Affairs, Stephanie Tennyson. We would like to thank her for her time and her service to the agency.
Question: How did you get involved with FEMA?
Stephanie: I was recruited to apply for this position by the former Chief of Staff. I had worked in DHS Intergovernmental Affairs and had been there for almost five years by the time I left. I applied and began working as Deputy Director on January 12, 2013.
Question: What is your favorite part of being Deputy Director of External Affairs (EA)?
Stephanie: The mission and the people. It's great being a part of what we do to help. The EA team just makes it fun and enjoyable.
Question: What was your first day like?
Stephanie: Chaos. I didn't go through duty readiness. Lars was acting director and there was no deputy. The Senior Leadership VTC was the next day and there was a lot of pressure.
Question: If you could change anything about FEMA Corps, what would it be?
Stephanie: I would like to see teams come to headquarters after being in the field, making sure that HQ is not where their first rotation is.
Question: Where do you see FEMA Corps in five years?
Stephanie: I see them being a larger presence, getting into more outreach with minorities, getting into tribal outreach to increase diversity in the Corps. It would be a great asset to the tribal outreach efforts we are continuing. I hope to have them with one year of noncompetitive hiring as well, like what happens when you complete a term of service within the Peace Corps.
Question: What is your dream job in FEMA?
Stephanie: I'm doing it. Being Deputy Director is my dream job within FEMA.
Question: What is your dream job in general?
Stephanie: Owning a vineyard.
Question: What is one thing our society needs?
Stephanie: Compassion and respect for one another.
Rapid Fire Questions:
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
Brownies or Cake? Cake
80s or 90s music? 90s
Cher or Madonna? Cher
iPhone or Android? Android
Spanish or French? Spanish
ABC or NBC? ABC
Question: How did you get involved with FEMA?
Stephanie: I was recruited to apply for this position by the former Chief of Staff. I had worked in DHS Intergovernmental Affairs and had been there for almost five years by the time I left. I applied and began working as Deputy Director on January 12, 2013.
Question: What is your favorite part of being Deputy Director of External Affairs (EA)?
Stephanie: The mission and the people. It's great being a part of what we do to help. The EA team just makes it fun and enjoyable.
Question: What was your first day like?
Stephanie: Chaos. I didn't go through duty readiness. Lars was acting director and there was no deputy. The Senior Leadership VTC was the next day and there was a lot of pressure.
Question: If you could change anything about FEMA Corps, what would it be?
Stephanie: I would like to see teams come to headquarters after being in the field, making sure that HQ is not where their first rotation is.
Question: Where do you see FEMA Corps in five years?
Stephanie: I see them being a larger presence, getting into more outreach with minorities, getting into tribal outreach to increase diversity in the Corps. It would be a great asset to the tribal outreach efforts we are continuing. I hope to have them with one year of noncompetitive hiring as well, like what happens when you complete a term of service within the Peace Corps.
Question: What is your dream job in FEMA?
Stephanie: I'm doing it. Being Deputy Director is my dream job within FEMA.
Question: What is your dream job in general?
Stephanie: Owning a vineyard.
Question: What is one thing our society needs?
Stephanie: Compassion and respect for one another.
Rapid Fire Questions:
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
Brownies or Cake? Cake
80s or 90s music? 90s
Cher or Madonna? Cher
iPhone or Android? Android
Spanish or French? Spanish
ABC or NBC? ABC