SALF Commends Legendary Citizen Corps Pioneers

August 22, 2005

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Ms. Elizabeth DiGregorio is responsible for developing the
national strategy for U.S. Citizen Corps and for overall
coordination of the program's implementation as part of
the President's initiative under the umbrella of USA
Freedom Corps. Ms. Karen Marsh has assisted Ms. DiGregorio
in successfully fulfilling this great task nationwide.
SALF commends these both for their great accomplishments.

Citizen Corps’ Mission “To have everyone participate in making America safer.”  We all have a role in hometown security, a personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders disaster relief and community safety.  This was the focus during the Citizen Corps’ breakout session at Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) Regional Conference held in San Francisco, CA this past week by Citizen Corps Elizabeth DiGregori, Acting Director and Karen Marsh Assistant Director.  These two gallant ladies took a Presidential directive and with only a vision created one of our country’s strongest volunteer agencies.

The missions of Citizen Corps and Save A Life Foundation (SALF) are comparable in all aspects, which aids in strengthening our partnership since 2003.    

Elizabeth DiGregorio, Acting Director of the Community Preparedness Division within the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Preparedness and Coordination.  Ms. DiGregorio is responsible for developing the national strategy for Citizen Corps and for overall coordination of the program's implementation as part of the President's initiative under the umbrella of USA Freedom Corps. Citizen Corps fosters a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility by brining together volunteers and the first responders in a community to find ways to make a community safer, stronger and better prepared for all emergencies.

Ms. DiGregorio was appointed Chief of Staff by FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh in July 2001. As chief of staff, she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency and for directing implementation of the priorities and policies of the agency's director. As chief of staff, Ms. DiGregorio oversaw the agency's internal operations, advised the director on the agency's crosscutting policies and procedures, and served as the focal point for implementing the director's initiatives.

Karen Marsh Assistant Director of Citizen Corps within the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. Ms. Marsh has the responsibility for implementing Citizen Corps nationwide. In this capacity, Ms. Marsh works closely with other federal agencies, state and local governments, first responders and emergency managers, the volunteer community, and the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps. During the ten years she served with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Ms. Marsh has been the Program Manager for the Disaster Housing Program and the Special Assistant to the Associate Director for Mitigation. Prior to joining public service, Ms. Marsh worked in the private sector as a management consultant and as a product manager for an electronics-manufacturing firm.