Billy V. Powers

Dr. Billy V. Powers is a core faculty member in Norwich University's Master of Public Administration program, teaching in the core curriculum.

He joined the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2005 and serves as a Senior Advisor for the National Protection & Programs Directorate (NPPD) Business Continuity & Emergency Preparedness (BCEP) division. In this role, he manages a host of policy facets that build and promote a culture of individual and organizational preparedness among the NPPD workforce that enable individual and organizational readiness and continuity. Prior to joining BCEP, he served as the Chief of Staff for the NPPD Office of Risk Management and Analysis.

Dr. Powers has served as a Professional Staff Member with the United States Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (110th Congress). He provided key legislative input and guidance on public policy matters related to DHS implementation of a comprehensive National Security Strategy to secure the United States from terrorist attacks and response to natural disasters. Additionally, he collaborated to co-author the successful bi-partisan sponsored, United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008.

Prior to his work on Capitol Hill, Dr. Powers served as Preparedness Officer with the DHS Office of Domestic Preparedness. In this capacity, he worked closely with State and Territorial Homeland Security Advisors on the implementation of the Homeland Security Grant Programs, managing over $225 million dollars of active DHS grants.

With extensive emergency response acumen and experience as a fire officer, he played an integral role in the early successes of DHS sponsored grant programs, serving as a subject matter expert to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the State Homeland Security Grant Program, and the Urban Areas Security Initiative. He holds national certifications as a Chief Fire Officer, Fire Inspector, Master Fire Instructor, Rescue Technician, and Hazardous Materials Technician/Incident Commander. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he received the Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Medal, among others.

Dr. Powers holds a bachelor of science degree in management, a master's degree in public administration and a PhD in human capital management from Bellevue University. He has authored several articles in the arena of knowledge management, succession, resiliency, and organizational change.