Liam O’Keefe is a former Director of Emergency Management for the City of Philadelphia. As an emergency management professional with more than 20 years of experience, Liam has led emergency management and crisis management programs that address preparedness, protection, security, response, recovery, and mitigation. Having served in various executive capacities, he possesses extensive and diverse professional experience managing government organizations, complex disaster projects, and emergency management programs including, but not limited to, those associated with the terrorist attack of the World Trade Center in 2001, Atlantic Hurricanes of 2004, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy, California Wildfires, COVID-19 response, and numerous incidents across the nation. Liam’s experience is complemented by a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices that affect emergency management and homeland security activities in the United States.

As Hagerty Consulting’s Practice Leader for Disaster Operations and Crisis Management, Liam O’Keefe is deeply involved in field operations, leading diverse teams of professionals, and managing highly sensitive projects for the firm. He recently oversaw operations for Hagerty Consulting’s largest and most complex projects including the City of New York’s $15 billion recovery from Hurricane Sandy, the State of California’s recovery from the 2018 Wildfires, and most recently the State of California’s response to COVID-19.

While serving as the Director of Emergency Management for the City of Philadelphia, Liam oversaw a complete transformation of Philadelphia’s emergency management program and systems, including the creation of an entirely new administrative infrastructure, an increase in staffing (from 4 to 27), creation of a 24/7 all-hazards watch unit, and the acquisition of advanced technology and equipment to support citywide emergency response and planning efforts. During his tenure, the city also secured millions of dollars in grant funding to expand and sustain agency operations. As director, Liam concurrently served as Vice Chair of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Counterterrorism Task Force, a body responsible for prioritizing and distributing funding to support homeland security projects and activities within the Philadelphia Urban Area. As a member of the Mayor’s Executive Team, Liam was also responsible for managing citywide emergency field response activities, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, the formulation and development of policies addressing the mobilization of resources during emergencies, and the preparation of comprehensive emergency plans.

Prior to his work in Philadelphia, Liam served as a Management Consultant to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS / FEMA) following 10 major disaster declarations including the World Trade Center (9/11), the Atlantic Hurricanes of 2004, Hurricane Katrina, and Super Typhoons Pongsona and Paka (Guam). Liam started his career in 2001 working with the New York City Office of Emergency Management as an Emergency Preparedness Specialist.

In 2003 Liam became the first professional officially hired by Hagerty. He and Steve Hagerty had worked closely together in supporting the World Trade Center (9/11) Recovery. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Liam rejoined Hagerty in 2012 to serve in his current role.

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts - College of the Holy Cross