DES MOINES, Iowa - The head of Iowa's Homeland Security & Emergency Management is retiring.
Director Joyce Flinn has announced her retirement at the end of January.
Governor Kim Reynolds released a statement noting Flinn played a critical role during the 2018 Marshalltown tornado, the floods of 2019, and during the current global pandemic.
“I want to thank Joyce for her service to the state of Iowa and for leading the department during such critical times,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Through historic storms, tornadoes, floods, and a global pandemic, Joyce and her team worked around the clock to deliver resources and support to our communities in need."
Reynolds says she'll announce an interim director at a later date.
Flinn began her career with emergency management in 1997 in the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. She transferred to the Readiness and Response Bureau in March 2000, and became bureau chief for Readiness and Response in August 2008.
Reynolds appointed Flinn acting director of Homeland Security & Emergency Management in June 2018, and named her director in January of 2019.