A brief history of PDC
Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Iniki to the Hawaiian Islands in 1992, Pacific Disaster Center was conceived as a center to improve systems of communication and technology for disaster prevention at home and beyond. PDC now serves a global audience, helping to increase disaster management capacity and embolden more effective decisions, policies, and actions for a safer world.
PDC briefs President of Panama on findings of NDPBA report
Philippines get assistance with Super Typhoon following successful launch of PhilAWARE
PDC helps Thailand with new early warning and hazard monitoring technologies
Red Cross and PDC go beyond response to anticipate disaster impacts
NASA partners with PDC to develop groundbreaking global flood early warning system
Indonesia and ASEAN usher in a new era of disaster readiness, response, and risk reduction
Nobel Laureate World Food Programme and PDC join forces in disaster preparedness and response
PDC data and technology aid global fight against COVID-19
PDC unveils beta version of customized disaster management software for the Philippines
Lao PDR and PDC launch early warning system program with signed agreement ceremony
NASA and Pacific Disaster Center to develop new life-saving technologies
Exercise in Southeast Asia brings together 18 countries
PDC and ASEAN Member States kick-off management program
PDC featured speaker at AI conference
Disaster preparedness assessments started in eight countries
Kick off meeting held to bring early warning support to Myanmar
SmartAlert™ enhances DisasterAWARE
PDC supports 10 major disaster exercises
Winter Olympics rely on PDC for public safety
Preparedness assessments finished for four countries
PDC completes risk evaluation for ASEAN
PDC and AHA Centre sign Memorandum of Intent
PDC-FEMA team up during record-breaking Atlantic Hurricanes
PDC aids response to 63 major hazards globally
PDC aids response to Major Hurricane Matthew
PDC and Nepal partner on NepalAWARE
DisasterAWARE® 6.0 greatly expands capabilties
PDC supports public safety during 2016 Olympics
PDC assists with analysis of Zika virus epidemic
DisasterAWARE® is on the horizon for the Philippines
PDC aids response for 61 major hazards globally
ASEAN chooses PDC for training assessment
PDC expands collaboration with APEC
PDC aids Nepal responders after deadly M7.8 quake
PDC supports 11 major exercises globally
PDC begins NDPBA with four more countries
Vietnam and PDC launch VinAWARE
PDC releases new BioServ technology
Nepal exercises preparedness with PDC
PDC supports response to global hazards
PDC supports international preparedness exercises
Indonesia and PDC launch InAWARE
United Nations sponsors PDC as guest speaker
PDC launches NDPBA program
PDC presents DisasterAWARE® at APEC workshop
ASEAN invites PDC to present
PDC-Indonesia partner on InAWARE
PDC-Vietnam partner on VinAWARE
PDC presents at UNOCHA Workshop
PDC activates real-time response support
PDC supports Hurricane Sandy with real-time analysis
PDC named project manager for International Charter
PDC-AHA Centre launch DMRS
PDC supports response to global disasters
The Bahamas and PDC partner on preparedness
PDC assists with Cholera outbreak in Haiti
PDC supports relief workers worldwide
PDC supports response to catastrophic quake in Haiti
PDC launches Disaster Alert mobile app for the public
PDC assists with global catastrophes
PDC-Vietnam begin flood modeling and early warning project
PDC continues longstanding collaboration with ASEAN
PDC co-chairs conference on APEC preparedness
PDC supports 2008 Olympics safety
PDC supports response to disasters globally
PDC provides support after M8.4 earthquake strikes Indonesia
PDC develops Vietnam decision support system prototype
University of Hawai‘i becomes PDC’s new managing partner
PDC supports response for numerous hazards
PDC hosts worldwide natural disaster policy forum
Senator Inouye speaks about PDC’s global impact
PDC begins Early Warning Technology project with Thailand
PDC assesses Risk and Vulnerability throughout Pacific Islands
PDC-ASEAN collaborate on new disaster information initiative
PDC supports Hurricane Katrina response and relief
PDC develops Tsunami Awareness Kit for Pacific Island Nations
PDC launches Asia Pacific Natural Hazards Information Network
PDC assists after Great Sumatra Eathquake / Indian Ocean Tsunami
PDC releases new DisasterAWARE® online Atlas
PDC releases new DisasterAWARE® system
PDC recognized as a global information provider
PDC launches first web-enabled application
PDC co-sponsors international conference
PDC expands support to Pacific Nations
New PDC technology widely applauded
Senator Inouye provides opening remarks
Development of PDC begins
U.S. Congress approves Pacific Disaster Center
Pacific Disaster Center conceived following Iniki
Hurricane Iniki devastates Hawaiian Island of Kauai
Our Team
Executive Management
Ray Shirkhodai
Executive Director
Chris Chiesa has more than 30 years of experience developing and leading enterprise applications of geospatial information technologies and has been actively involved in disaster management activities for the past two decades. He directs international deployments of PDC’s disaster management decision support DisasterAWARE® platform. Chris has extensive programmatic and institutional experience in the Asia Pacific region. His work has also taken him to Europe, Central and South America, and Africa. In 2005, Chris received Esri’s prestigious Special Achievements in GIS Award in recognition of the Center’s support to the Indian Ocean tsunami response. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan (BSME, MSNR) and the University of Arizona (MBA).
Chris Chiesa, MS, MBA
Deputy Executive Director
Joseph Green, PhD
Director of Applied Science
Dr. Erin Hughey is the Director of Global Operation for the Pacific Disaster Center. A recognized leader in global disaster management and disaster risk reduction, Dr. Hughey developed the only operationalized approach to the United Nations Sendai Framework for Action. Known as the National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment (NDPBA), this program has been implemented by more than 20 countries worldwide and aids national, regional and international disaster risk reduction initiatives. With a PhD in geography, Dr. Hughey has dedicated her life’s work to the innovation and the application of new science and technology for disaster management—empowering practitioners and senior leadership alike with the tools and information needed to support data-driven decision making.
Erin Hughey, PhD
Director of Global Operations
Cassie Stelow, MS
Acting Director of Information Technology
Scott Okada, BBA, MBA
Director of Finance & Administration
Other Staff
Bear (Bernd) McConnell
Senior Advisor
Steve Recca has held several security policy positions with the State Department, Department of Defense, and in academia. He was Director of the University of Colorado Springs Center for Homeland Security where he managed research programs in civil security, defense-related topics, as well as institutional and government agency collaborative relationships. He is on the Editorial Review Board of four peer-reviewed journals and is a frequent guest lecturer on civil security topics for academic institutions across the United States. Steve holds a Master’s in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Steve Recca
Humanitarian Assistance Programs Senior Advisor
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