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

2020 Justin Needles, UCEM
2019 Jeremy Hales
2018 Cody Barton, UAEM
2017 Tal Ehlers, MA, CEM, MEP
2016 Brett Cross, CPM, MEP
2015 Chris Blinzinger, UCEM, CEM
2014 Hugh Daniels, CEM, UCEM
2013 Sheila Curtis, UCEM
2012 Jo Anna Larsen
2011 Philip Chaffee, CEM
2010 Jim Mason
2009 Marty Shaub, CEM
2008 Dustin Lewis, CEM, UCEM, MEP, CFM,ARM
2007 Mike Stever
2006 Ken Kraudy
2005 Jim Buchanan, CEM, UCEM
2004 Ann Allen
2003 Mike Stever
2002 Cathy (Diehl) Bodily, CEM
2001 Lance Peterson
2000 Jan Gibbons
1999 Arley Wallace
1998 Steve Layton
1997 George Becker
1996 Mike Stever
1995 Peggy Langille
1994 Kay Sadler
1993 LaMar Richins