Nancy J. Dragani
Executive Director, Ohio Emergency Management Agency
As director of the Ohio EMA, Nancy J. Dragani leads the state's coordinated preparedness and response to both man-made and natural disasters, administers the State Homeland Security Funding Program, and oversees disaster recovery and mitigation efforts. Ms. Dragani was reappointed to her position by Governor Ted Strickland in 2007. She has been the director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency since January 2005.
Prior to becoming executive director, Ms. Dragani served as the Director of Operations at Ohio EMA where she was responsible for emergency preparedness training, exercises, planning, homeland security and preparedness grants and response operations in the State Emergency Operations Center during disasters.
Ms. Dragani is one of two state emergency management directors on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Advisory Council and the immediate past president of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA).
During her career, Ms. Dragani has held a variety of positions with local, state and the federal government including the director of administration and public information chief for the Ohio EMA, editor of the Ohio National Guard's quarterly magazine, and radio and television broadcaster with the United States Army. Ms. Dragani retired from the Ohio National Guard with 22 years of combined U.S. Army, Army National Guard and Air National Guard service.
Ms. Dragani graduated summa cum laude from Ohio Dominican College, with a Bachelor of Arts, emphasis in communications.
Ms. Dragani resides with her husband and two children in Columbus, Ohio.
