"Phil May has shown outstanding leadership in hurricane preparedness, response and recovery"
The honor was presented at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando and was awarded for management and efforts in hurricane preparedness activities. 
Photo: G. Armstrong / FEMA
National Hurricane Conference, the nation's leading forum for education and professional training in hurricane preparedness, has presented Major Phillip (Phil) May the Distinguished Service Award for 2010. May, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Region IV Administrator, coordinates all FEMA programs in the eight southeastern states.
The honor was presented at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando and was awarded in recognition of cumulative accomplishments and support of hurricane preparedness activities spanning his nearly 30 year emergency management career.
"Phil May has always been a champion of the National and Regional Hurricane Programs, and has shown outstanding leadership in hurricane preparedness, response and recovery," said National Hurricane Conference Executive Director David Tait.
May has served FEMA for more than 21 years, including his current role as Region IV Administrator, which he also held previously from 1981 to 1994. He has recognized the importance of the Emergency Management and National Hurricane Center relationship through support and operational use of the Hurricane Liaison Team.
"The FEMA family is proud of the outstanding leadership Phil has exhibited, and this award is a testament to his continued dedication to excellence in emergency management," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Since returning to FEMA in October 2006, he has provided unwavering support to the eight states he serves in Region IV."
May is a native of Alabama and attended the University of Montevallo. He received his commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1971 and served as a member of the Alabama National Guard from 1971 to 1983.
