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.
2022
PDC briefs President of Panama on findings of NDPBA report
2021
Philippines get assistance with Super Typhoon following successful launch of PhilAWARE
2021
PDC helps Thailand with new early warning and hazard monitoring technologies
2021
Red Cross and PDC go beyond response to anticipate disaster impacts
2021
NASA partners with PDC to develop groundbreaking global flood early warning system
2021
Indonesia and ASEAN usher in a new era of disaster readiness, response, and risk reduction
2020
Nobel Laureate World Food Programme and PDC join forces in disaster preparedness and response
2020
PDC data and technology aid global fight against COVID-19
2020
PDC unveils beta version of customized disaster management software for the Philippines
2020
Lao PDR and PDC launch early warning system program with signed agreement ceremony
2020
NASA and Pacific Disaster Center to develop new life-saving technologies
2019
Exercise in Southeast Asia brings together 18 countries
2019
PDC and ASEAN Member States kick-off management program
2019
PDC featured speaker at AI conference
2018
Disaster preparedness assessments started in eight countries
2018
Kick off meeting held to bring early warning support to Myanmar
2018
SmartAlert™ enhances DisasterAWARE
2018
PDC supports 10 major disaster exercises
2018
Winter Olympics rely on PDC for public safety
2017
Preparedness assessments finished for four countries
2017
PDC completes risk evaluation for ASEAN
2017
PDC and AHA Centre sign Memorandum of Intent
2017
PDC-FEMA team up during record-breaking Atlantic Hurricanes
2016
PDC aids response to 63 major hazards globally
2016
PDC aids response to Major Hurricane Matthew
2016
PDC and Nepal partner on NepalAWARE
2016
DisasterAWARE® 6.0 greatly expands capabilties
2016
PDC supports public safety during 2016 Olympics
2016
PDC assists with analysis of Zika virus epidemic
2016
DisasterAWARE® is on the horizon for the Philippines
2015
PDC aids response for 61 major hazards globally
2015
ASEAN chooses PDC for training assessment
2015
PDC expands collaboration with APEC
2015
PDC aids Nepal responders after deadly M7.8 quake
2015
PDC supports 11 major exercises globally
2015
PDC begins NDPBA with four more countries
2015
Vietnam and PDC launch VinAWARE
2015
PDC releases new BioServ technology
2014
Nepal exercises preparedness with PDC
2014
PDC supports response to global hazards
2014
PDC supports international preparedness exercises
2014
Indonesia and PDC launch InAWARE
2013
United Nations sponsors PDC as guest speaker
2014
PDC launches NDPBA program
2013
PDC presents DisasterAWARE® at APEC workshop
2013
ASEAN invites PDC to present
2013
PDC-Indonesia partner on InAWARE
2013
PDC-Vietnam partner on VinAWARE
2012
PDC presents at UNOCHA Workshop
2012
PDC activates real-time response support
2012
PDC supports Hurricane Sandy with real-time analysis
2012
PDC named project manager for International Charter
2013
PDC-AHA Centre launch DMRS
2011
PDC supports response to global disasters
2011
The Bahamas and PDC partner on preparedness
2011
PDC assists with Cholera outbreak in Haiti
2010
PDC supports relief workers worldwide
2010
PDC supports response to catastrophic quake in Haiti
2010
PDC launches Disaster Alert mobile app for the public
2009
PDC assists with global catastrophes
2010
PDC-Vietnam begin flood modeling and early warning project
2008
PDC continues longstanding collaboration with ASEAN
2008
PDC co-chairs conference on APEC preparedness
2008
PDC supports 2008 Olympics safety
2007
PDC supports response to disasters globally
2007
PDC provides support after M8.4 earthquake strikes Indonesia
2007
PDC develops Vietnam decision support system prototype
2006
University of Hawai‘i becomes PDC’s new managing partner
2006
PDC supports response for numerous hazards
2006
PDC hosts worldwide natural disaster policy forum
2006
Senator Inouye speaks about PDC’s global impact
2005
PDC begins Early Warning Technology project with Thailand
2005
PDC assesses Risk and Vulnerability throughout Pacific Islands
2005
PDC-ASEAN collaborate on new disaster information initiative
2005
PDC supports Hurricane Katrina response and relief
2004
PDC develops Tsunami Awareness Kit for Pacific Island Nations
2004
PDC launches Asia Pacific Natural Hazards Information Network
2004
PDC assists after Great Sumatra Eathquake / Indian Ocean Tsunami
2003
PDC releases new DisasterAWARE® online Atlas
2002
PDC releases new DisasterAWARE® system
2001
PDC recognized as a global information provider
2000
PDC launches first web-enabled application
1999
PDC co-sponsors international conference
1998
PDC expands support to Pacific Nations
1997
New PDC technology widely applauded
1996
Senator Inouye provides opening remarks
1995
Development of PDC begins
1993
U.S. Congress approves Pacific Disaster Center
1993
Pacific Disaster Center conceived following Iniki
1992
Hurricane Iniki devastates Hawaiian Island of Kauai
Our Team
Executive Management
Ray Shirkhodai is responsible for PDC’s strategic development, market and partnership expansion, and all aspects of the enterprise operation. Serving in information management and senior leadership roles since 1991, Ray first joined PDC in 2002 as the Chief Information Officer before his selection for Executive Director in 2007. During his tenure at PDC, Ray architected PDC’s flagship DisasterAWARE® risk intelligence platform and mobile applications, developed and oversaw strategies for PDC’s expansion into the global hazard and risk reduction markets, and increased the Center’s competitive project revenues, augmenting PDC’s base research and operating budgets. Ray has led the Center’s support of major international disaster relief operations. He has served as a chief technology advisor to regional and national disaster management offices around the world. Ray has written for numerous United Nations publications on analytical software design for risk reduction. He has been an invited keynote speaker, lecturer and participant at many international events focused on technologies for risk reduction and resilience. Ray is on the advisory board of the University of Hawaii Maui College Applied Business and Information Technology (ABIT) program. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from George Mason University followed by graduate studies in Artificial Intelligence at George Mason University.
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
Dr. Joseph Green is an expert in the practical application of risk information for humanitarian assistance and resilience-building initiatives worldwide. His analytical work spans more than two decades, with specialized focus on the examination of the intersection between social vulnerability, health outcomes, and disaster resilience. Joseph earned his PhD in epidemiology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Prior to earning his PhD, Joseph earned a master’s degree in medical geography from the University of South Florida and worked as a research fellow at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
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 Sendi 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 brings with her more than 10 years of experience in the development and execution of enterprise-wide IT solutions and strategies. She oversees PDC’s data management solutions and was the key architect for transforming the organization’s data services into a single source. Cassie is responsible for the implementation of data governance, adherence to IT standards and the institutionalization of enterprise tools. She holds a Master of Science in Geospatial Information Science and Technology from North Carolina State University.
Cassie Stelow, MS
Acting Director of Information Technology
Scott Okada is responsible for PDC’s fiscal planning and management in all areas of budgeting, financial analysis, procurement, and business information technology applications. He has experience and training as a financial forecaster, auditor, tax-compliance officer, and report compiler for national and governmental organizations. His experience also includes high-level oversight of human resources management and loss prevention, as well as cash management and cost control functions. He earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
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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