Admiral Thad Allen on "Managing the Unexpected"

Events @ RAND

On April 19, 2011, the RAND Corporation presented “Managing the Unexpected” as part of its Issues in Focus public outreach series in Santa Monica, California. The program featured Admiral Thad Allen, now a senior fellow at RAND.

Few are as experienced at managing the unexpected as Allen. In 2001, he commanded the U.S. Coast Guard's Atlantic forces in their response to the terrorist attacks on September 11. While serving as the Coast Guard's chief of staff in 2005, he was the principal federal official overseeing the response to Hurricane Katrina and recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region. And in the months prior to his retirement from the Coast Guard in June 2010, Allen served as National Incident Commander for the federal government's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history, a role in which he continued to serve as a civilian.

Allen, the 23rd Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard from 2006 to 2010, is the recipient of two Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medals, a Legion of Merit Medal, and three Meritorious Service Medals. He joined RAND in October 2010.