White House highlights Arkansas emergency manager as a "Champion of Change"

Today, Jan. 19, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) Deputy Branch Chief for Homeland Security Chad Stover will be one of 17 local leaders honored at the White House as a "Champion of Change." These men and women have demonstrated significant innovation and creativity in working to get their communities ready for the unexpected. They have also embraced the approach of involving all members of their communities in emergency preparedness and response efforts.

Stover also serves as the State Citizen Corps Coordinator at ADEM. He manages the agency's community preparedness efforts through the Ready Arkansas program. Stover's volunteer activities include the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), a development organization where he held senior volunteer positions from 1998 to 2008. He also worked with groups throughout Arkansas to increase community emergency preparedness and speaks frequently at community meetings, churches and civic groups.

The "Champions of Change" program was created as a part of President Obama's "Winning the Future" initiative. Each week, a different issue is highlighted and groups of Champions ranging from educators to community leaders are recognized for the work they are doing to better their communities.

"This past year we were reminded that disasters can strike at any time and that preparedness is critical," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "We commend the innovative practices and achievements that these individuals bring to the field of emergency management in order to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared."