Lt. Gen. Honoré Joins CNN as Emergency Preparedness Contributor

Lt. Gen. Honoré Joins CNN as Emergency Preparedness Contributor



Retired Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, best known for his service as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina three years ago, has joined CNN as the emergency preparedness contributor to CNN Worldwide, it was announced by Nancy Lane, senior vice president of newsgathering for CNN/U.S. He appeared on CNN most recently amid the network’s coverage of Hurricane Ike.

In this role, Honoré lends his expertise and inside knowledge while assessing government efforts amid crises and recovery efforts. Through his reports and assistance, CNN will continue to keep government officials accountable in those situations.

He also contributes his expertise on disaster preparedness, response and recovery activities to CNN’s leading reports throughout the hurricane season and other potential crisis situations. His reports appear across CNN’s numerous networks and services including CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN.com, CNN.com Live, CNN Radio and CNN Newsource. They provide viewers with practical tips for preparing for and surviving disasters as well as keep government officials and agencies honest when it comes to dealing with large disasters and crisis’s.

“General Honoré brings to CNN’s global audience an intimate knowledge of managing crises and executing emergency preparedness,” Lane said. “After Katrina, the general was universally viewed as a hero, and our viewers will no doubt trust and connect with him as he contributes to our up-to-the-minute coverage.”

As commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, Honoré led the Department of Defense’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita across Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, which included the operations of more than 22,000 military personnel, 200 aircraft and 20 ships. Additionally, as vice director for operations for the Joint Staff and as commander of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters-Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command, Honoré’s focused his work on defense support to civil authorities and homeland defense. For four of the past six hurricane seasons, he supported the Department of Defense’s planning and response for hurricanes on domestic and international soil.

“I’m delighted to be able to join CNN and take advantage of the network’s vast resources and services and be able to address the audience in those areas affected,” Honoré said. “Everyone needs to be prepared for unexpected and uncontrollable events, and CNN is an ideal platform to inform and educate.”

In a previous role as commander of First Army – the command responsible for mobilizing and training National Guard and Reserve troops – Honoré oversaw the training and deployment of more than 500,000 military personnel across all services. This effort comprised the largest military deployment since World War II and focused on the Army’s combat medical capability, as well as the overall medical readiness of all personnel mobilized in support of operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Egypt, Guantanamo Bay and Iraq.

After retiring from the Army earlier this year with 37 years of active service, Honoré now speaks and consults nationally about emergency preparedness.

A native of Lakeland, La., Honoré was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry after earning his bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture from Southern University and A&M College. He also holds a master’s degree in human resources from Troy State University and honorary doctorates from Southern University and A&M College and Stillman College.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.



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For more information, visit www.CNNPressroom.com.



CONTACT:

Karen Varga-Sinka Atlanta 404.575.7187 karen.varga-sinka@cnn.com

Bridget Leininger Atlanta 404.827.1612 bridget.leininger@cnn.com


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That "John Wayne dude" is still serving America, as a disabled veteran I am extremely proud of General Honore's exemplary leadership during the Katrina crisis, he is a true leader.

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