Rodney Waltersdorff

Deputy Director

Rodney Waltersdorff joins CMS as the Deputy Director for Emergency Preparedness and Response Operations (EPRO). Rodney started his career in 2004 with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a Logistics Management Specialist working at a Maryland-based Distribution Center.  In 2009, Rodney transitioned, along with the National Disaster Medical Systems (NDMS), to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), working as the National Program Manager for Supply Chain Operations, Transportation, and Logistics. This position allowed him the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge working with Senior Executives at the headquarters level as well as directly with field response agents during numerous disaster responses and National Special Security Events both within the continental and outside the United States. 

Rodney joins us directly from the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he served as the Deputy Branch Chief for Logistics within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Emergency Management (OEM). During his career with VHA OEM, Rodney has been instrumental in assisting in the development of the administration’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP) as well as the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). 

Rodney has more than 18 years of experience working with Emergency Management and Continuity planning.  Rodney has completed the National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute, as well as obtained a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness, a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Justice Studies, and has completed multiple professional certifications.