2025 WV EMC Conference

Bio's

Robert McLafferty

Robert McLafferty is a highly experienced professional in the field of emergency services, currently serving as the 911 Coordinator for Butler County Emergency Services. With over three decades in public safety and crisis response, his career spans a range of critical roles, including County Response Team Medic, Flight Medic, Fire Chief, and Trauma Coordinator at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In addition to his current role, Robert is actively involved as a Paramedic with the Slippery Rock Rescue Team and as a Tactical Paramedic (TEMS Medic) with the County of Butler’s Emergency Services Unit. His contributions extend to shaping emergency response policies as a member of the 911 Advisory Board for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and as a participant in the First Responder Resource Group (FRRG) under the Department of Homeland Security. Robert also plays a key role in training and education, developing curricula for first responders and medical professionals nationwide. Residing in Butler, Pennsylvania, he enjoys a fulfilling personal life with his wonderful wife, two amazing adult children, a very smart German Shepherd, and a joyful Golden Retriever.

Rick Lippert

Rick Lippert is a seasoned Consultant, Emergency Planning Specialist, and Regional Manager at PHMC, with over 25 years of experience in Emergency Preparedness and Safety across healthcare, oil & gas, and general industry sectors. He excels in strategic planning, program development, and critical incident management, particularly in healthcare emergency preparedness. Rick provides expert consultation, enhances response capabilities, ensures compliance with guidelines, and supports training for healthcare systems. Notably, he helped establish India's first National Disaster Life Support Training Center and co-authored a program recognized by NHTSA for safe child transport in ambulances. Rick's leadership extends to his roles as a past city councilman, nonprofit director, and active community member.

Judith Lyons

Lyons has been in the environmental and conservation field for 26 years, starting with the WV Department of Environmental Protection. Lyons was a permit reviewer/writer for industrial/commercial permits and Natural Stream Restoration for the Watershed Construction Stormwater Team. She started with the WV Conservation Agency in 2010 as the Contracting Specialist, and also served in the positions of Watershed Manager and Assistant Director of Watershed Projects before her current position of Executive Director. Education, B.A. Sociology , WV State University.

Brian Farkas

Brian is the Interagency Recovery Coordinator with the West Virginia FEMA Integration Team (WVFIT) based in Charleston, WV.

Brian comes to FEMA after working as a journalist/editor, public information officer for two state agencies and the executive director of the West Virginia Conservation Agency.

His journalism/editing career included working for newspapers in Weirton, Wheeling and Charleston, W.Va. He transitioned to working for United Press International covering all facets of state government and West Virginia’s legal system. He ended his journalism career as The Associated Press’ news editor responsible for the wire service’s coverage of Virginia/West Virginia. In this position he managed and directed an awarding winning staff in both states to ensure the AP remained a news leader in the Virginias.

His government service started with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, where he was responsible for the agency’s public outreach efforts. He transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection where he created a full-service public information/public outreach program.

Brian ended his state government service as the executive director of the West Virginia Conservation Agency. The WVCA is charged with working with the state’s 14 conservation districts to improve agriculture through best management practices, maintaining the state’s small watershed flood-control infrastructure, and responding to natural disasters through its emergency watershed program.

His role with FEMA is to help meet the gap between what FEMA can do and what it can’t to help West Virginians recover from disasters. By working with other federal, state and local agencies and non-governmental groups, Brian’s goal is to help people before, during and after a disaster.

Brian is married and has three grown sons who live in West Virginia, Spain, and Pennsylvania. Besides walking with his dog, his favorite pastimes include baking, exploring new tastes in the kitchen, and looking for places to safely ride his bike.

Christi Hicks

Christi Hicks serves as the WV NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Water Resources. She is also currently serving as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Chesapeake Bay Coordinator. Her conservation career spans over two decades, where she has worked with landowners to implement best management practices to improve soil health and water quality while meeting their production goals. She has served in NRCS leadership roles in Kentucky & Nevada and worked briefly in the Office of the Chief at National Headquarters.

A West Virginia native, Hicks lives on their family farm in Hampshire County with her husband and three children. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and playing the mandolin at small venues around the Mountain State.

Jason Lively

Jason has been involved in the fire service since 1993 and emergency medical services since 1996. He began working at DHSEM in May 2015 under the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program as the REP County Coordinator and currently serves as the REP Program Manager, primarily focusing on planning, training, and exercises relating to the Beaver Valley Power Station Nuclear Power Plant. Jason is also the WV Radiological Operations Support Specialist Coordinator.

Jason serves with the Chester VFD as 1st Lt., paramedic, and Haz-Mat Tech. Jason is an instructor for Wheeling-PST and an adjunct faculty member for WV Northern Community College EMS Program.

Jason holds credentials as a WV Emergency Manager III, Paramedic in OH and WV, Fire Instructor III, Fire Officer IV, Hazardous Materials Technician, Hazardous Materials Incident Command, Hazardous Materials Technician: Radiation Specialist, and various other fire, rescue, and EMS disciplines.

Danny Bennett

Mr. Bennett holds a Master's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of

Tennessee. He commenced his tenure with the WV Division of Natural Resources in 1998,

joining the Wildlife Resources Coordination Program. He currently serves as the Program

Manager for the Coordination Program and is a founding member of the West Virginia Inter-

agency Review Team, which oversees Mitigation Banking. He participates in various local,

state, and national committees, representing the interests of the Division and the state's hunters

and anglers. Mr. Bennett has been married to his wife, Tina, for 37 years and has three children

and one grandson. He endeavors to conduct fieldwork whenever feasible, seeking respite from

administrative duties such as permits, reports, data requests, emergent issues, and

headquarters' directives.

Theresa White

Theresa has dedicated over 14 years to the Fayette County Office of Emergency Management, advancing from volunteer roles in flood recovery to serving as Director. Her experience spans nearly every facet of emergency management, giving her a comprehensive understanding of both field operations and strategic leadership.

Before transitioning into emergency management, Theresa spent a decade working in library science building strong skills in research, organization, and community service.

She is deeply passionate about preparedness education and plays an active role in the Local Emergency Planning Committees, coordinating Annual Preparedness Fairs and participating in numerous community events, fairs, and festivals. In addition, Theresa is a key contributor to the development, delivery, and facilitation of emergency exercises and training programs across the state, ensuring that responders and community members are equipped to handle crises effectively.

Theresa is widely recognized for her commitment, energy, and hands-on approach—always taking on new challenges and contributing well beyond her official duties to strengthen community resilience.

Matt Gregg

Matt Gregg is the Emergency Manager for Mason County Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, where he oversees county-wide disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. With over 25 years of experience across local, state, and federal levels, he is known for his calm leadership, technical expertise, and ability to bring agencies together when it matters most.

Previously, Matthew served as a Liaison Officer for the West Virginia Emergency Management Division and as a contractor with The Olson Group, LTD, supporting radiological preparedness, hazard mitigation, and Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) initiatives.

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