Speaker Friday, May 9, 2025
Tennessee’s safety net is only as strong as the strategies behind it—and the leaders who implement them. Patrick Sheehan, Director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, will share what happens behind the scenes when disaster strikes and how state agencies, local responders, and everyday citizens come together under pressure. This talk offers a rare glimpse into how government works at its most intense and impactful moments.
Join Director Patrick Sheehan at the Green Hills Rotary meeting on May 8, 2025, at 7:15 a.m. at the Boy Scout Service Center. With an extensive background in emergency response, military service, and public safety leadership, Director Sheehan brings a broad and compelling perspective on how Tennessee prepares for and responds to critical incidents—from natural disasters to cybersecurity threats.
Appointed in 2016, Director Sheehan advises Governor Bill Lee on emergency management policy and serves as Tennessee’s primary liaison to FEMA. He previously held leadership positions with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and served in the United States Army Reserve as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Specialist. Director Sheehan is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security and a fellow of the FEMA Vanguard Crisis Leadership Program.
In addition to his leadership of TEMA, Director Sheehan chairs the State Emergency Response Council, and serves on multiple national and state advisory groups including the Cyber Security Council and the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council. He was President of the National Emergency Management Association from 2022 to 2023 and is currently Chairman of the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium Board of Directors.
A longtime advocate for public service, Director Sheehan remains active in scouting and community engagement in Middle Tennessee. His remarks will offer practical insights into how systems of resilience are built—and why strong civic networks matter.
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