Louis O. Giuffrida

Louis Onorato Giuffrida was the Ronald Reagan administration's first director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 1981 to 1985.

Giuffrida graduated from the University of Connecticut (B.A.) and Boston University (M.A.).

He had a lengthy career in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of colonel in 1968.

In 1971 he left the Army and organized the California Specialized Training Institute for then California Governor Reagan. The institute trained state employees in emergency management and police in counter-terrorism activities.. It was during this time that Giuffrida became friends with Edwin Meese.

He also served as an advisor on terrorism, emergency management, and other special topics for Governor Reagan. He was eventually promoted to the rank of general in the California National Guard.

Giuffrida was confirmed on May 18, 1981. At the time of his nomination Giuffrida was president of the Specialized Management Services Co. and director of the California Specialized Training Institute.

During his tenure at FEMA, Giuffrida developed much of FEMA's civil defense programs, including Continuity of Government.

Giuffrida was eventually forced out of the agency in 1985 after it was revealed that he spent government money to build a private residence at FEMA's Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland.