Ellen M. Gordon has over 40 years of experience in homeland security and emergency management.  During the 18 years she served as the Administrator of the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management organization she oversaw  the interagency response and recovery efforts for 19 presidentially declared disasters and greater than 100 declared states of emergency.  Prior to serving as the agency administer she served as the director of operations and also several years as a county emergency management director.

Currently Gordon serves as a homeland security and emergency management subject matter expert in the development and implementation of the Homeland Security Executive Leaders Program, the Emergence Program and the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Executive Education as Associate Director Executive Education for the Center of Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Throughout her career she has been involved in national policy development committees and commissions, serving as a member of the DHS Homeland Security Advisory Council, the National Advisory Council for FEMA, and the National Homeland Security Consortium. She previously served as the President of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), as well as the Chairperson of the NEMA Homeland Security Committee. In addition, she served as a member of the Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving WMD (Gilmore Commission).

She is the recipient of the Curtis H. “Butch” Straub Award for exemplary academic achievement and leadership from the Naval Postgraduate School. She is a recipient of the U.S. Army Commander’s Award for Public Service and the U.S. Army Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service for her meritorious performance. Gordon was a recipient of the Iowa National Guard Distinguished Service Medal for her contributions and dedication to the State of Iowa. She also received a NEMA Presidential Citation and an award for recognition of her dedication to and support of homeland security.   She was recognized for her homeland security and emergency management leadership by being inducted into the International Women in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Hall of Fame

Gordon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement and corrections from Truman State University and a Master of Arts degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School.

At IEM, Gordon has provided advising and subject matter expertise working with FEMA, and has assisted in the research and development of guidance documents, and modules. In addition, Gordon has provided expert assistance and facilitation support for regional catastrophic, state and local planning.