Washington, DC – Business Roundtable has named Michael T. Dan, chairman, president and CEO of The Brink's Company, as chairman of its Partnership for Disaster Response. This consortium of CEOs is partnering with national and international relief organizations and leveraging the private sector’s many resources and capabilities to enhance and accelerate on-the-ground relief and recovery efforts following major disasters.
“Large U.S. companies have substantial financial, product and human resources that can be vitally important during a crisis and our member CEOs are committed to using these resources to help communities prepare for, and rebuild from, disasters,” said Terry McGraw, chairman of Business Roundtable and chairman, president, and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies. “The Brink’s Company’s global infrastructure and expertise in security, logistics and risk management, and Michael Dan’s own record of success working with other companies and the federal government to help our nation prepare for a catastrophic disaster, make him uniquely qualified to lead this initiative.”
The Partnership for Disaster Response was first activated immediately following Hurricane Katrina. As soon as Katrina struck, the Partnership began facilitating communications about critical on-the-ground needs and urged member companies to contribute to the relief effort.
“The private sector offers a strong network and diverse resources to help communities in crisis following large scale disasters,” said Dan. “As business leaders, we also have a responsibility to work with government and relief agencies to make sure our employees, customers and communities around the world feel secure and prepared for a disaster.”
The Partnership continues to work with companies, relief agencies, the federal government and others to strengthen how the business community responds to disasters. Thanks to its formal partnership with the American Red Cross, Business Roundtable was able to quickly activate its network following Hurricane Gustav to donate fuel cards for vehicles traveling to and within the disaster site. Earlier in the year after the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province in China, 68 Business Roundtable member companies donated nearly $70 million in cash and in-kind donations and the Partnership for Disaster Response is now working with Chinese officials to determine how the U.S. corporate community can support the long-term reconstruction effort.
“As evidenced by its rapid response and support during Hurricane Gustav, the earthquake in Sichuan China and the wildfires in California, Business Roundtable continues to be our valuable partner in preparing and responding to disasters,” said Gail J. McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “During National Preparedness month, we are reminded of the importance that companies play in making sure their employees are prepared for a disaster.”
Recognizing the important role of the private sector in disaster response, the Partnership for Disaster Response developed a protocol for how it will work with the federal government and the American Red Cross to respond to large scale disasters. Business Roundtable also developed an agreement with the United States Coast Guard to strengthen port and supply chain security following major disasters. Finally, the Partnership created the first clearinghouse of information and resources for the business community on disasters, www.respondtodisaster.org.