Peter Thomas Gaynor (born 1958) is an American emergency manager who served briefly as acting Secretary of Homeland Security under President Trump.[1] Gaynor previously served as administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He was appointed as Acting Administrator by President Donald Trump on March 8,2019,and became Administrator on January 16,2020.
Gaynor served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 26 years,retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was the executive officer responsible for the security of Camp David;was the head of Plans,Policy,and Operations at the Headquarters,Marine Corps,during the September 11 attacks;and deployed with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force where he coordinated combat operations in Al Anbar Province,Iraq,for multinational and Marine forces.[7]
From March 2008 to December 2014,Gaynor was the director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security.[8] A colleague there describes him as being prepared for anything and respectful of the chain of command because of his military experience.[9]
From January 2015 to October 2018,Gaynor was the director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA).[10] During that time,RIEMA responded to numerous small and large disasters,including one presidentially declared disaster and at least seven pre-existing active federal disasters. Gaynor oversaw response and recovery efforts to blizzards,floods,tropical storms and public health emergencies. He also coordinated evacuations,mass care,special events,and school safety.[11]
Gaynor participates in a brief on Inauguration Security with Vice President Pence in Washington D.C.
Gaynor was confirmed by the Senate on October 11,2018,as the deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).[12]
On March 8,2019,when Administrator Brock Long returned to the private sector,Gaynor became acting administrator. Gaynor was in charge of the agency's recovery efforts for many disasters,including the California wildfires,tornado outbreaks,severe storms,flooding in the Midwest and the Puerto Rico earthquakes.[12] On January 14,2020,the Senate confirmed Gaynor as administrator with a vote of 81 to 8.[12][10] He was sworn in two days later.[13]
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United States 
United States Marine Corps 
Lieutenant Colonel 
