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RELEASE: Gov. Nixon to lead session on disaster preparedness at NGA Winter Meeting, participate in panel discussion on crisis management with DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon will join governors from across the nation this week for the 2016 National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

On Friday (Feb. 19), Gov. Nixon will speak at POLITICO’s sixth annual State Solutions Conference, featuring a series of one-on-one conversations with governors from across the country focusing on innovative approaches their states have taken to address complex problems.

On Saturday (Feb. 20), Gov. Nixon and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Chair and Vice Chair of the NGA’s Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, will lead a session on natural disaster preparedness. The session, “Joining Forces Before the Next Storm,” will feature Gail McGovern, President and CEO of the American Red Cross; Dr. Louis Uccellini, Director of the National Weather Service; Mark Cooper, Senior Director of Global Emergency Management at WalMart; and Pascalis Papouras, Board Member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

“Establishing strong partnerships between public and private sector partners can make a life-saving difference when a disaster strikes,” Gov. Nixon said. “I look forward to sharing our insights from Missouri, as well as hearing from this distinguished panel of experts about ways to further improve collaboration, preparation and response – and keep Missourians safe.”

On Monday (Feb. 22), Gov. Nixon will participate in a panel discussion at The Newseum moderated by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Charles Johnson on leadership in times of crisis. In addition to Gov. Nixon, the panel will include Dan Malloy, Governor of Connecticut; Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania; Deval Patrick, former Governor of Massachusetts; and R.T. Rybak, former Mayor of Minneapolis. Panelists will share their insights into decision making, lessons learned from governing, and communication strategies during times of crisis.

The Governor will also be participating in other NGA meetings and discussions, including a meeting of the Council of Governors. The Council consists of 10 governors appointed by the President – five from each party – and serves as a mechanism for governors and key federal officials to address matters pertaining to the National Guard, homeland defense and defense support to civil authorities.

Friday, Feb. 19

WHO: Gov. Jay Nixon
Charlie Mahtesian, Senior Politics Editor, POLITICO

WHAT: POLITICO’s Sixth Annual State Solutions Conference

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. ET / 12:15 p.m. CT

WHERE: Streamed live at POLITICO.com

Saturday, Feb. 20

WHO: Gov. Jay Nixon
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson

WHAT: Leading session of NGA’s Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee on disaster preparedness

WHEN: 1:15 p.m. ET / 12:15 p.m. CT

WHERE: NGA Winter Meeting
Washington, D.C.

Monday, Feb. 22

WHO: Gov. Jay Nixon
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson
The Honorable Dan Malloy, Governor of Connecticut
The Honorable Tom Ridge, Former Governor of Pennsylvania
The Honorable Deval Patrick, Former Governor of Massachusetts
The Honorable R.T. Rybak, Former Mayor of Minneapolis

WHAT: Panel discussion on “Leadership in Times of Crisis”

WHEN: 2:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. CT

WHERE: The Knight Conference Center at The Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.