Media Advisory: Wake Forest University hires its first emergency manager
Wake Forest University has named August Vernon as its inaugural, full-time emergency manager.
Vernon was most recently the operations officer at the Forsyth County Office of Emergency Management. With more than 24 years of varied public safety service experience and 15 years of experience integrating emergency services, crisis management, operations and training at the local, regional, state and federal levels. Vernon begins his new role today, Jan. 5.
At Wake Forest, he will lead the crisis management team and oversee emergency planning, coordinating responses, and training of staff, faculty, students and community partners on emergency management response and programs.
“August brings a strong working knowledge of emergency and crisis management to the University,” said University Chief of Police Regina Lawson. “This was an extensive search, and we feel fortunate that we were able to find the right candidate in our own backyard.”
Vernon has longstanding ties with the University. He began working with Wake Forest in 2000 during the presidential debate between George Bush and Al Gore — working closely with the FBI in providing for the safety of more than 2,000 attendees in Wait Chapel as well as supporting emergency plans for faculty, staff and students. He has also assisted the University’s Crisis Management Team with planning, training and safety efforts with special events like the Maya Angelou Memorial.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the Wake Forest University and the campus community to continue to build the crisis management team,” said Vernon.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The University’s graduate school of arts and sciences, divinity school, and nationally ranked schools of law, medicine and business enrich our intellectual environment. Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu.
