DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has named Dr. Clare Avory as the new Director of the DeKalb Emergency Management Agency. Dr. Avory brings over 20 years of experience in operations, crisis leadership, and emergency preparedness to her new position. She previously served as Associate Director of Emergency Preparedness at Louisiana State University (LSU).
In her new role, Dr. Avory will oversee the county’s emergency management efforts, including preparation for, response to, and recovery from both natural and manmade disasters. She will also coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies to support community safety and ensure continuity of operations.
“Dr. Avory is known for strategic vision and operational innovation,” said CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “As we continue to build a strong and thriving community, the public’s safety and quality of life remain a priority for my administration. Dr. Avery’s leadership will usher in a season of proactive preparedness and effective response.”
During her time at LSU, Dr. Avory managed daily operations at the University’s Emergency Operations Center and worked closely with various departments including Athletics, Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety, Residential Life, as well as external agencies. Her work led to the development of preparedness plans and procedures that were adopted throughout the university, earning recognition for improving institutional resilience.
Dr. Avory has also held several leadership roles in law enforcement and emergency services across Louisiana, where she directed response operations and continuity efforts.
“Joining DeKalb County is an incredible opportunity, and my focus will be on strengthening interagency coordination, community engagement, and resilience – ensuring that DeKalb is prepared for any and all challenges that may arise,” said Dr. Avory.
Dr. Avory holds a Doctor of Management in Homeland Security & Emergency Management from Colorado Technical University, a Master of Science in Emergency Management from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Disaster Services & Emergency Management from LSU–Alexandria.
Recent data shows that enrollment at DeKalb County schools dropped by 2.2% during the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year (https://www.gadoe.org/). The total number of students enrolled was 98,287 for that period (https://www.gadoe.org/). White students made up 14% of the student body, ranking third among ethnic groups within DeKalb County schools during the same school year (https://www.gadoe.org/).
