Dena Wilson
Summary
Accomplished emergency and program manager provides in-depth understanding of developing and implementing organizational strategies. Well-versed in all phases of emergency management while coordinating diverse teams and managing complex projects. Skilled in strategic planning, operational improvement, and fostering collaborative environments while maintaining high standards of quality. Proactive and versatile professional with a dedication to quickly adapting to new challenges. Strong problem-solving abilities and a proven track record of fostering strong relationships with clients and team members.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
5
5
Certification
Work History
Program Manager II
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
09.2022 - Current
- As part of the establishing of the new Permanent Incident Support Team in the State Operations Center (SOC), oversaw three sections including hiring and training staff, developing training plans, developing standard operating procedures, establishing policies for activation and deactivation of staff, managed budgets, and provided regular briefings to Executive leadership on the status of the program
- Worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure developed processes and procedures aligned with other program needs and were consistent with agency policies and procedures
- Provided leadership during multiple incidents emergencies utilizing Incident Command System
- Under the direction of the SOC Director and Executive leadership, established or supported operational policies, incident objectives, organizational structure, and management of the SOC
- This included working with State Agency partners during activations
Senior Emergency Services Coordinator
Governor’s office of Emergency Services
09.2019 - 09.2022
- Responsible for supporting Recovery operations as a debris coordinator or as assigned
- Duties included deployment to Butte County as the Camp Fire Debris Incident Commander, Tree Removal Operations Incident Commander, Special Advisor to the Executive Team for Puerto Rico Emergency Management Assistance Compact deployment and supporting the State Operations Center in various capacities during the COVID19 Pandemic Response
- Specific duties included representing the Agency in task forces, community meetings, Town Council and Board of Supervisor meetings
- Recent duties comprised of State Chief of Staff for the Joint Field Office which required overseeing and implementing safety measures and COVID19 protocols for all state staff in the field and Joint Field Office
Analyst
Governor’s office of Emergency Services
03.2018 - 09.2019
- Responsible for the administration of the SCOUT program including tracking new agencies and coordinating training of new users
- Additional duties include participation in training and activation of the State Operations Centers as part of IST/ORT
Policy Analyst
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
05.2015 - 03.2018
- Responsible for reviewing, analyzing and developing the Office’s position on legislation impacting mutual aid, emergency medical services, law enforcement and homeland security, infrastructure, disaster assistance, and public safety communications
Special Projects Manager
Department of State Hospitals
03.2013 - 04.2015
- Company Overview: Technology Services Division
- Responsible for overseeing development and completion of projects as assigned
- Projects cover a variety of areas including a correspondence tracking system, a medical grade network, and an enterprise version of medical bylaws to be used at all system hospitals
- Technology Services Division
Legislative Aide
OFFICE OF SENATOR CAROL LIU
01.2011 - 10.2012
- Responsible for staffing member on standing Education committee, Budget Subcommittee on Education, Senate Education Subcommittee on Education Policy Research, and various Select committees
- Continually monitor and identify points-for-consideration on bills and/or issues before the committees; research and carry legislation through the legislative process; research background information and put together hearings, independent bill analysis for bills requesting members’ support; and working with leadership offices on a regular basis regarding important education legislation
Policy Analyst
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
06.2007 - 01.2011
- Company Overview: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Administration
- Responsible for reviewing, analyzing and developing the Office’s position on legislation impacting issues and areas relating to higher education and K-12 including federal stimulus funds, education data systems, career technical education, and school bonds
- Continually monitor and update bill position, research program history, existing law and regulations, and appropriate background information
- Lead role in monitoring, tracking, and coordinating efforts to bring federal stimulus funds to California; functioning as a specialist in difficult and sensitive program areas; composing and delivering speeches on behalf of the Secretary; researching and preparing memos to the Secretary and the Governor’s Office; and representing the Secretary of Education on the various boards and committees providing input and working with other state agencies regarding board and committee goals
- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Administration
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Government
California State University
Sacramento05.1999
Skills
- Project management
- Budget management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Incident command
- Emergency response
- Team leadership
- Public speaking
- Policy and procedure development
- Regulatory compliance
- Critical thinking
- Policy and procedure improvements
- Decision-making
- Cross functional team builder
Emergency Management Experience
- 2015 Valley and Butte Fires, Legislative-External Affairs Liaison
- 2017 January Storms, Flood Operations Center, Operations Liaison
- 2017 February Storms /Oroville Dam, Mission Task Coordinator / Legislative-External Affairs Liaison
- 2017 October Wildfire Fires, Deputy Operations Section Chief / Operations Section Chief / Special Advisor to Operations
- 2018 Carr Fire, Operations Section Chief
- 2018 Camp /Woolsey /Hill Fires, Utilities Coordinator / Animal Task Force Lead / Special Advisor to Operations / Debris Task Force Lead, Incident Commander
- 2020 Puerto Rico EMAC, Special Advisor to Executive Team
- 2020 COVID19 Pandemic, Lead Ventilator tracking / Lead Testing Task Force / Lead Housing for Harvest- Fresno
- 2020 Wildfires, Chief of Staff / Deputy Chief of Staff / South Branch Director
- 2021 Wildfires, August/September Fires Debris Operations and RST Lead
- December 2022 Cyber Event, SOC Director/Deputy Director
- December 2022 Ferndale Earthquake, SOC Director/Deputy Director
- December 2022 Winter Storms, SOC Director/Deputy Director
- 2023 January/February Storms, SOC Director/Deputy Director
- Tropical Storm Hilary, SOC Director/Deputy Director
- 2024 Early Storms, SOC Director
- 2024 July, August, September Fire/Heat Events, SOC Director
- 2024 Elections, 01/01/24, SOC Director
- 2024 December Earthquake, 01/01/24, SOC Director
- 2025 January Fires, 01/01/25, SOC Director
Certification
- FEMA Certificate of Achievement
- CA Specialized Training Institute, Emergency Management Specialist
- CA Specialized Training Institute, State Operations Center Director, Type I
- CA Specialized Training Institute, Emergency Operations Center Director, Type I
- CA Specialized Training Institute, Operations Section Chief, Type I
- CPR/First Aid Certified
Training/Exercises
- Over 450 hours of Incident Command Systems and Leadership training
- Regularly conduct, evaluate or participate in emergency management exercise testing processes, procedures and staff skillset/knowledge
Timeline
Program Manager II
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
09.2022 - Current
Senior Emergency Services Coordinator
Governor’s office of Emergency Services
09.2019 - 09.2022
Analyst
Governor’s office of Emergency Services
03.2018 - 09.2019
Policy Analyst
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
05.2015 - 03.2018
Special Projects Manager
Department of State Hospitals
03.2013 - 04.2015
Legislative Aide
OFFICE OF SENATOR CAROL LIU
01.2011 - 10.2012
Policy Analyst
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
06.2007 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Government
California State University
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