In the race to control the oversight and management of federal response and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Homeland Security and the White House have appointed Donald E. Powell as Coordinator of Recovery and Rebuilding in the Gulf Coast Region, to serve as the administration’s liaison with Congress, state and local governments, the private sector and community leaders.
The former Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and President and CEO of the First National Bank of Amarillo, Texas, Powell will report to the President through DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and be charged with developing specific goals and coordinating policies and programs for mid-to-long-term rebuilding efforts, according to a DHS statement.
“I believe that the appointment of (a coordinator) will help expedite rebuilding and recovery efforts and help victims of the terrible storm get their lives back in order,” said Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Her committee has been holding a series of investigative hearings on the federal response to Katrina, and together with committee ranking member Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., had proposed expanding the authority of the inspector general in charge of Iraq reconstruction to oversee Katrina expenditures.
“It is clear that there remains a considerable lack of coordination among governments at all levels,” she added.
Powell will also be expected to coordinate federal involvement in economic development and infrastructure rebuilding, DHS said.
It said Vice Admiral Thad Allen would continue to coordinate shorter-term operational issues and eventually transition out of his role by the end of 2005.
“I don’t know Mr. Powell personally, but I am reassured by his service as chairman of the FDIC and his long career in banking and the financial industry,” said Chairman of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Army Corps of Engineers, Pete Dominici, R-NM, who proposed establishing the post.
