Statement by Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson on the Departure of Counselor Matt A. Mayer

Release Date: 05/01/06 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
May 1, 2006

Matt A. Mayer today stepped down from his role as Counselor to the Deputy Secretary.  Matt has been a driving force among the senior management team over the past two years.  We’ve all come to rely heavily on his intellect, integrity and energy.  

Matt was a key architect of department’s transformation of preparedness to focus on prevention, protection, response and recovery.  He helped lead early design work at DHS in core grant programs to emphasize risk-based funding, regional cooperation for homeland security funding in large urban areas, and expanded first responder training at the local level.

Matt played a vital role supporting the Secretary and his team in the department’s response and recovery efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and he has helped advance other important programs involving immigration, maritime security, and transportation security.  He also previously served as Acting Executive Director for the Office of Grants and Training where he led the department’s efforts to develop the National Preparedness Goal and Target Capabilities List.  These tools provide a national framework that DHS is now using to implement systematic, risk-based grant funding priorities.  

Both the Secretary and I are grateful to Matt for his service to DHS and our country.  We will personally miss his trusted counsel and tremendous professionalism.

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