Robert A. Farmer

Robert “Bob” A. Farmer assumed the role of Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Enterprise Grant Services for FEMA in July 2022. A career member of the Senior Executive Service, Mr. Farmer leads an organization that is responsible for providing all FEMA grant programs with consistent guidance, processes, tools and systems to achieve effective internal controls, meet federal financial management requirements, standardize grant management practices across the Agency, and guide program offices as they promote and enforce compliance with applicable grant administration laws and regulations.

Mr. Farmer joined FEMA in April 2007 in the Program Analysis and Evaluation Division. He was selected as a career member of the Senior Executive Service and appointed as the Director of the Program Analysis and Evaluation Division for FEMA in August 2008. He has served in a variety of different positions within FEMA including: Acting Deputy Chief Financial Officer; Deputy Director for the Office of Policy and Program Analysis; Operations Division Director; Acting Regional Administrator for FEMA Region VIII; Deputy Assistant Administrator for Response; Deputy Chief Component Human Capital Officer; and Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Grant Programs Directorate.

Before joining FEMA, Mr. Farmer served for 26 years as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard where he gained extensive incident management and emergency response experience. His operational tours included serving as an Operations Officer, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer of Coast Guard vessels. His shore assignments included serving as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Headquarters Support Command and assignments within the Coast Guard’s strategic planning, financial management, strategic analysis, and planning and performance offices.

Mr. Farmer earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, and graduated from the National War College with a Master of Science in National Security Strategy.