Cory Schwisow
Summerland Key,USA
Summary
Versatile Leader with 26 years of experience leading personnel and managing programs. Works well with diverse stakeholders to accomplish objectives, drive productivity and streamline operations. Expertise includes administration, fiscal management and performance improvements.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Emergency Management
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Marathon, FL
10.2025 - Current
- Developed and executed comprehensive emergency management strategies, ensuring the safety and resilience of Monroe County’s residents, infrastructure, and natural resources.
- Led countywide preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation operations for hurricanes, radiological incidents, wildfires, active shooter situations, and family reunification and assistance activities.
- Directed the activation and management of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), overseeing multi-agency coordination and resource allocation during critical incidents.
- Collaborated with local, state, and federal agencies, including FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, to align county plans with regulatory requirements and access disaster assistance.
- Oversaw the development, implementation, and annual review of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and continuity of operations plans.
- Lead the five-year update of the Monroe County Local Mitigation Strategy Plan.
- Supervised and mentored a multidisciplinary emergency management team, providing training, guidance, and professional development opportunities.
- Designed and conducted emergency preparedness exercises and drills, evaluating response capabilities and integrating lessons learned into operational plans. (Hurricane, Radiological, Shelter, Special Needs)
- Managed public information and warning systems (Everbridge), ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of emergency alerts and instructions to the community.
- Conducted community outreach and engagement programs to enhance public awareness and readiness for all hazards. Held weekly radio discussions on preparedness and mitigation opportunities.
- Provided grant opportunities to County and Municipal partners from FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Oversaw a $2.4 million budget for emergency management programs.
- Facilitated the training for recovery operations, including damage assessment, volunteer and donations management, and coordination of public and individual assistance programs.
- Served as the primary emergency management spokesperson, representing Monroe County at public meetings, media briefings, and interagency forums.
Interim Director of Emergency Management
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Marathon, FL
06.2025 - 10.2025
- Led the strategic planning and execution of emergency management initiatives, enhancing community preparedness and response capabilities across Monroe County.
- Coordinated 2 multi-agency responses to natural disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires, ensuring effective resource allocation and communication among local, state, and federal partners.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive training programs for emergency personnel and community stakeholders, resulting in improved emergency response times and increased public awareness.
- Managed the county's Emergency Operations Center during crises, facilitating real-time decision-making and resource deployment to address community needs effectively.
- Conducted risk assessments and vulnerability analyses during Local Mitigation Strategy Plan update to identify potential threats, recommending actionable strategies to mitigate risks and enhance community resilience.
- Overhauled the county's emergency response protocols by writing 22 Standard Operating Procedures, successfully improving compliance with state and federal regulations and standards.
- Fostered an inclusive approach to emergency management by engaging diverse community groups and stakeholders in planning processes, ensuring equitable access to resources and information.
- Secured funding through state and federal grants and budget allocations to support emergency management programs, enhancing operational capabilities and outreach efforts.
- Engaged in 12 public outreach campaigns to educate residents on emergency preparedness, resulting in increased participation in community drills and workshops.
- Collaborated with local law enforcement and healthcare partners to create a unified emergency response strategy, streamlining operations during complex incidents.
Deputy Director of Emergency Management
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Marathon, FL
06.2023 - 06.2025
- Oversee and coordinate emergency preparedness and response activities.
- Oversee both EMPG and EMPA grants
- Manage three separate budgets totaling over $2 million dollars
- Supervise four Senior Planners during normal operations and all Section Chiefs during incident activations
- Proficient in UASI project submission and reporting
- Established five separate Emergency Worker Housing contracts throughout Monroe County
- Assist in developing and implementing emergency management plans and protocols
- Act as a liaison with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies
- Provide leadership during three separate hurricane activations over two seasons
- Manage and coordinate SERT TRAC training and annual preparedness exercises for emergency management personnel and county partners.
- Assigned as Deputy IC and EOC Manager during EOC Activations
- Analyze and assess potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them through Local Mitigation Strategy.
- Ensure compliance with emergency management regulations and best practices
- Collaborate with other departments and organizations to enhance emergency management capabilities
- Managed the deployment of 12 person team to assist in the response of Hurricane Milton in Sarasota County
- Input, tracked, and initiated financial claims on all resources used in recovery operations in DEMES.
- Assisted in the development of two hurricane exercises, two radiological plume exercises, two radiological medical response drills, two hurricane shelter drills, and one multi-organizational Marine Reception Center exercise.
Senior Chief Petty Officer
United States Navy
Norfolk, VA
06.2000 - 06.2023
- Directed daily operations for a multi-disciplinary department aboard a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, overseeing more than 626 personnel to ensure seamless aviation, logistical, and emergency response functions.
- Led diverse teams in planning, executing, and evaluating complex aircraft launch, recovery, and maintenance operations in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment.
- Developed, implemented, and enforced safety and emergency flight deck procedures.
- Coordinated and supervised flight deck emergency drills.
- Oversaw personnel training and qualifications for aviation operations.
- Mentored and developed junior leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, and excellence in operations and emergency response.
- Prepared and delivered briefings and reports to senior leadership, providing actionable insights and recommendations for operational improvements and risk mitigation.
- Has 20+ years of leadership experience in managing personnel and programs
Emergency Manager
United States Navy
Key West, FL
08.2014 - 07.2018
- Executed evacuation plan for 7,500 military and DoD civilians and families during Hurricane Irma
- Secured Boca Chica Naval Air Station and surrounding supporting commands for Category 4 storm
- Established mobile Command and Control, in Category 5 structure, to ensure full communication was established via satellite and landline phones
- Coordinated with Monroe County and Navy Region Southeast in handling of military support aircraft containing vital relief cargo/supplies, arrival of USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group, and 10-acre FEMA camp consisting of first responders, essential personnel, and residents of the Florida Keys
- Led the restoration of Boca Chica Airfield's operational capabilities within 6 hours of Hurricane Irma's passage, utilizing local and military resources
- Oversaw a $3,000,000 derelict vessel salvage operation consisting of 132 vessels that washed ashore on government property
- Coordinated the rescue and recovery of two military aircraft crashes within the Florida Keys
- Established investigative perimeter to complete salvage operations of Fighter Aircraft in local waters to ensure sensitive military equipment could be recovered
- Established an Emergency Operations training plan, which qualifying military personnel in ADHOC mass notifications processes and proper C4I communications
- Develops quarterly and annual long range training plans with government and local organizations to include Active Shooters, Environmental impacted fuel/oil spills, and tropical weather
- Established preplanned response checklists to provide quick guidance is short notice events/casualties.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Technical Management
American Military University
Charles Town, WV02.2024
Senior Enlisted Academy - Leadership
Naval War College
Newport, RI08-2020
Skills
- Incident command
- Public safety
- Emergency planning
- Hazard mitigation
- Process improvement
- Employee development
- Strategic planning
- Financial planning
- Staff management
- Team management
- Rules and regulations
- Budget management
Accomplishments
Navy and Marine Corps Leadership Award x2
Certification
- Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) Certification
- Florida Associate Emergency Manager (FAEM) Certification
- FEMA IS-00906 Basic Workplace Security Awareness
- FEMA IS-907 : Active Shooter: What You Can Do
- FL-603(f) : Public Assistance 101 & Grants Management
- FEMA IS-393.b : Introduction to Hazard Mitigation.
- G-386 : Mass Fatalities Incident Response
- L-146 HSEEP: Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program Training Course
- Command Managed Equal Opportunity Manager
Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) Certified
Fully certified by the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association. Fully qualified per Florida Statute to be local government Director of Emergency Management.
Timeline
Director of Emergency Management
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
10.2025 - Current
Interim Director of Emergency Management
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
06.2025 - 10.2025
Deputy Director of Emergency Management
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
06.2023 - 06.2025
Emergency Manager
United States Navy
08.2014 - 07.2018
Senior Chief Petty Officer
United States Navy
06.2000 - 06.2023
Senior Enlisted Academy - Leadership
Naval War College
Bachelor of Science - Technical Management
American Military University