Pete Gaynor

Peter Thomas Gaynor is an American emergency management professional who has held senior leadership positions within the federal government, most notably serving as acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security in 2021 and as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from 2020 to 2021. His career spans more than two decades of military service, state‑level emergency response management, and national disaster recovery leadership.

Early life and career

Gaynor was born on January 1, 1958, in Warwick, Rhode Island. He completed his secondary education at Pilgrim High School in 1977 before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Over a 26‑year military career he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, holding several key operational and strategic positions that shaped his approach to crisis management.

During his service, Gaynor was appointed executive officer responsible for the security of Camp David, a role that required meticulous coordination with senior military and government officials. He later served as head of Plans, Policy, and Operations at Headquarters, Marine Corps during the September 11 attacks, placing him at the center of national security planning when the country faced unprecedented threats. His deployment with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force involved coordinating combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, for multinational and Marine forces, providing experience in complex operational environments.

While serving in the Marines, Gaynor pursued higher education to complement his military training. He attended Community College of Rhode Island from 1982 to 1984 and Rhode Island College from 1984 to 1986, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. In 2001 he completed a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Naval War College, further deepening his understanding of strategic planning and national security policy. He also participated in the Executive Leaders Program at the Naval Postgraduate School in 2013, which sharpened his leadership skills for high‑level decision making.

After retiring from active duty, Gaynor transitioned to civilian emergency management. From March 2008 until December 2014 he directed the Providence Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security. In that capacity he oversaw preparedness planning, response coordination, and recovery efforts for a range of emergencies affecting the city of Providence and surrounding communities. Colleagues noted his readiness for diverse challenges and his respect for the chain of command—attributes attributed to his military background.

In January 2015, Gaynor became director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA). During his tenure until October 2018, RIEMA responded to a range of disasters, including one presidentially declared disaster and at least seven pre‑existing active federal disasters. He oversaw response and recovery efforts for blizzards, floods, tropical storms, and public health emergencies, coordinating evacuations, mass care operations, special events, and school safety measures. His leadership helped ensure that state resources were deployed efficiently and that coordination with local authorities and federal partners was maintained throughout the emergency lifecycle.

Gaynor’s experience led to his nomination as deputy administrator of FEMA, a position confirmed by the Senate on October 11, 2018. When Administrator Brock Long resigned amid controversy on March 8, 2019, Gaynor assumed the role of acting administrator. In this capacity he directed the agency’s recovery efforts for numerous large‑scale disasters, such as California wildfires, tornado outbreaks, severe storms, Midwest flooding, and the earthquakes that struck Puerto Rico. His stewardship involved coordinating federal assistance programs, managing interagency collaboration, and ensuring timely delivery of resources to affected communities.

On January 14, 2020, the Senate confirmed Gaynor as FEMA Administrator with a vote of 81 to 8. He was sworn into office two days later, serving until early 2021. During his tenure he continued to oversee recovery operations across the United States, reinforcing processes for assistance distribution and interagency collaboration.

Cabinet tenure

Following the resignation of Chad Wolf on January 12, 2021, Gaynor stepped in as acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security. His service in this role extended until President Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021, during which he maintained continuity within the Department of Homeland Security under the outgoing administration. In his brief tenure he ensured that ongoing operations and programs continued to function without interruption while preparing for the transition to new leadership.

Legacy

Gaynor’s career reflects a sustained commitment to emergency preparedness and disaster recovery at both state and national levels. His military background provided a foundation in strategic planning and operational command that informed his leadership style across multiple agencies. As director of RIEMA, he managed complex responses to diverse hazards, demonstrating coordination among local, state, and federal partners. At FEMA, he guided the agency through high‑profile recovery operations, reinforcing processes for assistance distribution and interagency collaboration.

His brief tenure as acting Secretary of Homeland Security ensured stability during a transitional period in the department’s leadership. After leaving public office, Gaynor continued to influence the field of disaster management by becoming president of Bright Harbor, a disaster recovery company, in 2025. Through these roles he has contributed to shaping best practices and fostering resilience within communities affected by emergencies.