Rafael Lemaitre Joins IEM as Chief Communications Officer

RESEARCH TRIANGLE, NC, October 2, 2017 – Global homeland security and emergency management company IEM has named Rafael Lemaitre as Chief Communications Officer (CCO). As CCO, Lemaitre will drive strategic communications initiatives for IEM, oversee media relations and digital engagement, and serve as chief spokesperson for the company.

“Rafael brings with him over 17 years of public service working for both Republicans and Democrats at the highest levels of government,” said IEM President and CEO Madhu Beriwal. “Having directed innovative communications campaigns for the White House and FEMA, Rafael understands how to break through the noise in a rapidly changing media landscape. We are excited to welcome him to IEM, especially as we expand our work to support recovery efforts from hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.”

Since 1998, Rafael has served three Presidential administrations as spokesman and media strategist on a wide array of issues, including drug policy, border security, immigration reform, and national disaster response. After more than a decade of service at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), he was appointed in 2009 to serve as Senior Advisor for Media and Communications for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. In 2010, Rafael returned to the White House to serve as Associate Director for Public Affairs for ONDCP. There, he directed work to promote major initiatives to expand public health and safety programs aimed at reducing drug use and its consequences. In 2014, Lemaitre joined FEMA as Director of Public Affairs, where he provided oversight for all aspects of the agency’s media and digital outreach before, during, and after major disasters.