Why the White Hat?

The white, Stetson style cowboy hat been the symbol of the UEMA since 2009. Throughout American history, the White Hat has symbolized the good guys. Worn famously by the Texas Rangers in real life and in Saturday afternoon matinees by the masked Lone Ranger, the symbol was invoked during many training sessions by Mike Stever, a past UEMA president. Stever often used the hat and his historic value to explain UEMA’s mission in the most basic, passionate way. “What value, what role is that of the emergency manager to his or her community?” he would ask. “We’re the ones in the white hats, we’re the good guys.”

UEMA Past Presidents