Michael Pena

With more than 35 years’ experience in emergency preparedness, response, recovery, continuity of operations, homeland security and facility protection, Michael Pena is overseeing Apprio Inc.’s growing homeland security practice that includes work with such clients as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Guard Bureau (NGB), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and USAID.

Pena’s background includes 21 years’ experience as a first responder with the New York City Fire Department’s (FDNY’s) Special Operations Command. As a member of the FDNY, Pena served with the elite rescue companies in Manhattan and Brooklyn with responsibilities for citywide response to major fires, terrorism response, emergencies and technical search and rescue operations. Pena served as an FDNY Technical Rescue School instructor, proving training for hazardous materials, weapons of mass destruction response, high-angle rope rescue and technical rescue operations. He served as liaison with federal agencies on all aspects of fire safety, emergency planning and response tactics for presidential and United Nations dignitary visits to New York City.

He deployed with the New York City Task Force 1 as part of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue program where he served as a rescue team manager and planning and information specialist. He was responsible for managing and coordinating team operations during deployments and rescue operations, and he deployed both nationally and internationally with natural disaster rescue operations and standby for the Olympic Games.