David Gudinas, a longtime Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official, has moved into a senior leadership role as Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate.
Gudinas brings deep experience across FEMA’s preparedness and grants enterprise, including senior roles in the National Preparedness Directorate and leadership positions focused on technological hazards and national exercises—work that directly supports FEMA’s mission to strengthen readiness and resilience nationwide.
He is also highly qualified for the grants leadership role based on his extensive history managing FEMA grant operations and oversight. Gudinas previously served as Deputy Director for Grant Operations, where he was responsible for reviewing and improving grants management practices across the agency. He later held multiple division-level leadership positions tied to FEMA’s grant programs, including responsibilities that combined program execution, data analytics, and strategic communications.
Earlier in his FEMA career, Gudinas served as a Section Chief supporting the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, giving him hands-on familiarity with one of FEMA’s most widely utilized grant programs supporting local emergency services.
Prior to joining FEMA, Mr. Gudinas supported fire and emergency services, including 9 years with the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He has a distinguished career of public service, including more than 25 years as a volunteer firefighter and as an emergency medical technician and instructor for Fairfax County, Va.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Florida State University.
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