Floodrisk-Speaker Jo Ann Howard

Jo Ann Howard

Jo Ann Howard received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Abilene Christian College in 1960, a M.A. from East Texas State University (now, Texas A&M) in 1982 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from the University of Texas School of Law in 1987. She is licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas and the District of Columbia

President Clinton appointed Ms. Howard as the Federal Insurance Administrator (FIA) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Senate Confirmation in March 1998. Serving as the Administrator of the flood program, she was responsible for managing the more than $523 billion of flood insurance in force in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Prior to her service at FIA, Ms. Howard served on the State Board of Insurance (now the Texas Department of Insurance) as an appointee of Bill Clements. As one of the three State Board Members, she served as a member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

H2O Partners, Inc. (H2O) was established by Ms. Howard as a full-service disaster recovery business following her tenure at FEMA. As President, Jo Ann Howard has managed teams of researchers, writers, public assistance grant managers, mitigation and urban planners, risk managers, attorneys, floodplain managers and economists in fulfilling contractual obligations to FEMA, states, Councils of Government (COGs), counties, cities, and river authorities. H2O Partners has been recognized for its team of highly qualified professionals who have years of experience behind them in areas directly related to Training, Public Assistance, Hazard Planning and Mitigation.