User:Mcnemar/Joshua McNemar

Joshua Lee McNemar (born July 5, 1987) is a political apprentice and Republican community activist. McNemar is a Disaster Recovery Specialist for the State of Louisiana, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness where he has been employed since December 6, 2006. Prior to becoming Disaster Recovery Specialist, McNemar held the positions of Facility Specialist and Logistics Assistant for the agency. He assumed the role of Disaster Recovery Specialist on the Hazard Mitigation staff of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in January 2010.

Early life and education

McNemar was born in Vidalia, Louisiana to parents, Ronny Lynn and Ethel Dyane McNemar. McNemar has one older brother, Lynn McNemar, who is a Deputy Marshall with the Bossier City Marshall’s Office, and two older sisters, Jolene McNemar Jenkins, a stay at home mother and Shelia McNemar Bolwahnn, a Nursing Consultant with the Broussard Group. McNemar attended school in the Vidalia School System in Vidalia, Louisiana where he was an Honor Student. At Vidalia High School, McNemar was involved in the BETA club, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and DECA club. He was also listed in the Who’s Who magazine, National Honor Roll Society and a Special Honors graduate. McNemar graduated from Vidalia High School in 2005 and then went on to attend Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University at Alexandria and the University of Phoenix. After some time out of school to pursue employment opporunities, he graduated in 2010 with an Associates of Arts in Business.

Career

McNemar has worked in some type of political setting since he was 16 years of age. McNemar credits his success to his former boss Bryant Hammett, owner of Bryant Hammett & Associates Engineering and Surveying firm and former Louisiana State Legislator and Secretary of the http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in the administration of Governor Kathleen Blanco. Anyone who knows McNemar knows that his ambitions are to become Governor of Louisiana. McNemar holds Donald Ray Kennard, former Louisiana State University Assistant Athletic Director and retired Louisiana State Representative, District 69, as his mentor. McNemar is a lifelong Republican.

Appointments

On March 9, 2008, former Massachusetts Governor and Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney announced his Louisiana Statewide Steering Committee which included McNemar as a 5th Congressional District Chair. McNemar traveled the 5th Congressional District, promoting Mitt Romney’s campaign for President.

Disaster Recovery Specialist

In January 2010, McNemar accepted the position as Disaster Recovery Specialist for the Hazard Mitigation Team of the State of Louisiana, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness under the administration of Governor Bobby Jindal. In this capacity, McNemar provides oversight of the recovery grant processes of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act through coordination with State, Parish and Local officials and eligible nonprofit organizations, and analysis and review of recovery processes. McNemar worked with the Hurricane Katrina and Rita grants until October 2010 when he began working with Hurricane Gustav grants.

Facility Specialist

McNemar held the position of Facility Specialist with the State of Louisiana, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from September 2007 until January 2010 in the administration of Governor Kathleen Blanco and Governor Bobby Jindal. In this capacity, McNemar assisted the Facility Manager in managing all Maintenance, Renovation, Security and Safety of the agency. McNemar was responsible for the Site Security Access System, Directing the Planning, Design, Execution, Quality Control and Assurance of Infrastructure System Integration and monitor and control all Loss Prevention, Claims and Safety meetings. That role also included establishing safety/security policies and coordinating with the Department of Public Safety during Emergency Operations. McNemar held this capacity during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike when the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness were on 24 hour activation for over 50 days.

Logistics Assistant

McNemar held the position of Logistics Assistant with the State of Louisiana, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from December 2006 until September 2007 under the administration of Governor Kathleen Blanco. In this capacity, McNemar assisted with the management of the Agency Supply, State Property and Fleet. McNemar was also responsible for communicating with Parish Homeland Security Director’s, Parish President’s and other officials regarding State Agency Property. McNemar also assisted the agency in preparation for meetings with Foreign Dignitaries, Governor’s, and other officials such as President George W. Bush who visited the agency in 2008 after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Student-Intern

McNemar was a Student-Intern for the Louisiana House of Representative, Fiscal Division from August 2005 until December 2005. In this capacity, McNemar assisted State Legislators, members of the Ways and Means Committee, Appropriations Committee and Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. During his time as Student-Intern, he assisted legislators in coordination with office support during the 2005 Special Session of the Legislature called by Governor Kathleen Blanco due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that impacted the State of Louisiana.

Administrative Assistant

While attending high school, McNemar worked for Bryant Hammett & Associates Engineering and Surveying Firm as an Administrative Assistant. In this capacity, McNemar was responsible for the daily administrative duties of the office. Bryant Hammett, owner of Bryant Hammett & Associates was also at the time a Louisiana State Legislator. Bryant Hammett later went on to become Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for Governor Kathleen Blanco.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

In June 2010, McNemar was deployed to Lafitte, Louisiana, which is located in Jefferson Parish, to respond to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill which occurred on April 20, 2010 is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which flowed for three months. McNemar took on the role as Assistant Regional Coordinator and worked out of the Lafitte Unified Command Post. In July 2010, McNemar transferred to Hopedale, Louisiana which is located in St. Bernard Parish to work out of the Hopedale Situation Unit. In both locations, McNemar acted as the State Liaison to British Petroleum, United States Coast Guard and Jefferson Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness/St. Bernard Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. McNemar acted as the Situation Unit Leader and was responsible to develop and submit daily Situation reports to the Parish leadership, brief the Command staff on the current situation and participate in daily conference calls with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Operations Section Chief. McNemar held this position until August 2010 when he returned to his position as Disaster Recovery Specialist.

Volunteer

McNemar has been involved in different political campaigns such as Bobby Jindal’s campaign for Governor of Louisiana, Dr. Bill Cassidy for U.S. Congress and volunteered with the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in 2010 which was held in New Orleans, LA.

Awards

McNemar received the Selective Service Presidential Coin in 2008, presented to him by William A. Chatfield, Director of the United State Selective Service for President George W. Bush. McNemar also received the Award for Excellence in 2008, presented by Command Chief Warrant Officer, Jody Moore, with the Louisiana National Guard.

Personal Life

McNemar is married to Shannon Parsons McNemar, a nursing student at Our Lady of the Lake College and lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. McNemar is a college football fan, particularly of the Louisiana State University Tigers.

Religion

McNemar is a devout Pentecostal. He attends The First Pentecostal Church of Baton Rouge with his wife, Shannon Parsons McNemar, where they are both involved in the ministry of the church. McNemar considers his religion vital and is blessed to be a 5th generation Pentecostal.