The next time Atlanta is threatened by an ice storm, the Emergency Preparedness and Management Group formed by Mayor Kasim Reed will be available to offer recommendations. The 30-member group, which held its first meeting yesterday, brings together a variety of leaders and stakeholders in law enforcement, emergency response and preparedness, meteorology, utility companies, business, education and local, state and federal government agencies.

The group will offer recommendations to ensure the City of Atlanta is prepare to handle any natural disaster or severe weather event and ensure the safety and security of its citizens.

The group includes: 
Natalyn Archibong, Council Member, City of Atlanta District 5
Angela Barrett, Director, City of Atlanta E-911
Mark Becker, President, Georgia State University
Carlton Brown, President, Clark Atlanta University
Markina Brown, Meteorologist, CBS 46
Glenn Burns, Meteorologist, WSB TV
Joann Butler, Director, City of Atlanta 311
Kelvin Cochran, Chief Atlanta Fire & Rescue, City of Atlanta
Bert Davis, Distribution Engineer, Georgia Power
Charley English, Director, Georgia Emergency Management Agency
Dwight Ferrell, Fulton County Manager
Michael Geisler, Interim COO, City of Atlanta
Bart Gobiel, COO, Gov. Nathan Deal
Keith Golden, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation
Joseph Henderson, MPA, Office of COO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Oz Hill, Retired Lt. Colonel, City of Atlanta
Larry Hoskins, Deputy Supt of Operations, Atlanta Public Schools
Matthew Kalmyer, Director Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency
Bill Massey, Director, Hurricane & Emergency, Dewberry Consulting
Richard Mendoza, Public Works Commissioner, City of Atlanta
Hala Moddelmog, CEO, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Bryan Norcross, Management & Emergency Expert, The Weather Channel
Keith Parker, CEO, MARTA
Bud Peterson, President, Georgia Tech
Frank Poe, Executive Director, Georgia World Congress Center Authority
Marquenta Sands, Director of Safety and Security, Atlanta Public Schools
Marshall Shepherd, 2013 President, American Meteorological Society, University of Georgia
Keith Stellman, Meteorologist, National Weather Service
Beverly Tatum, President, Spelman College
Ronald Stephens, Executive Director, Atlanta Fed Exec. Board
George Turner, Chief of Police, City of Atlanta
Hans Utz, Deputy COO, City of Atlanta
Tom Weyandt, Deputy COO, City of Atlanta
John Wilson, President, Morehouse College
Kristin Wilson, Deputy COO, City of Atlanta

Collin Kelley has been the editor of Atlanta Intown for two decades and has been a journalist and freelance writer for 35 years. He’s also an award-winning poet and novelist.