Lt. General Russel Honoré, (Ret.)
Visionary Leader of the New Normal and Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina
When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, the devastation was more than anyone could have imagined. Images of the city drowning in the waters of the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain and of the dire conditions at the Louisiana Superdome and Convention Center showed the world that the United States was ill-equipped and unprepared to deal with a natural disaster of such epic proportions. In spite of questionable leadership on many levels, one leader undeniably changed the course of the disaster: Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré, the commanding general of Joint Task Force Katrina.
A native of Lakeland, Louisiana, Honoré, the “Category 5 General,” swept into New Orleans, surveyed the destruction and took charge, bringing the city back under control and starting the long process of putting it back together.
With a trademark swagger and commanding personality, Honoré is a no-nonsense career soldier who always speaks his mind. While in charge of the entire Army east of the Mississippi, he brought leadership to New Orleans, reminding soldiers to lower their weapons and help those in need, creating a more positive atmosphere as rebuilding began.
Since his command of Joint Task Force Katrina, Honoré has brought the lessons of Katrina to organizations around the country. An expert on preparedness and responding to catastrophe, he offers insights into protecting people and organizations, outlining the principles necessary to lead through unexpected and uncontrollable crises.
Honoré’s lengthy career has taken him around the world, from Korea to Germany and the entire United States. He has many awards and distinctions, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and a Bronze Star, among others. Recently, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Loyola University (New Orleans).
In May 2009, he published his first book, Survival: How a Culture of Preparedness Can Save You and Your Family from Disasters. He also serves as a CNN preparedness contributor; a senior scientist with Gallup; as chairman of the board of Grand ISS, a comprehensive risk solutions provider; and on the Expert Council of Firestorm Solutions, LLC, a national leader in business continuity, vulnerability analysis, risk mitigation, and crisis management.
The man that New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin called a “John Wayne dude,” Honoré has proven that by taking charge and creating a culture of preparedness, whether as an individual, a group, a city, or an entire country, unexpected crises can be managed and their impacts can be minimized.
