Erik Adrian Hooks (born 1967) is an American public safety official who is currently serving as the deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.[2] He previously served as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety from January 2017 to August 2021.

Erik Hooks
Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Assumed office
December 13, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
LeaderDeanne Criswell
Preceded byDaniel Kaniewski (2020)
Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety
In office
January 2017 – August 2021
GovernorRoy Cooper
Personal details
Born1967 (age 56–57)[1]
Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationNorth Carolina State University (BA, MLS)

Early life and education

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Hooks is a native of Spring Lake, North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government and a Master of Liberal Arts from North Carolina State University.[3]

Career

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Hooks joined the North Carolina Department of Public Safety in 1989, serving as a special agent with the department until 1999. He later served as assistant special agent in charge of the Special Investigations Division and assistant director.[4] In January 2017, he was appointed to serve as secretary of the department by Governor Roy Cooper. He served until retiring in July 2021.[5]

Nomination to FEMA

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On July 27, 2021, Hooks was nominated by President Joe Biden to be the deputy administrator of FEMA.[6] Hearings were held on Hooks' nomination by the Senate's Homeland Security Committee on November 18, 2021. On December 1, 2021, the committee favorably reported his nomination to the entire Senate floor. Hooks was officially confirmed by the whole Senate via voice vote on December 7, 2021. [7]

References

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  1. ^ "HSGAC Biographical Questions for Executive Nominees" (PDF). United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. November 18, 2021. p. 48. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Franklin, Sydney (December 13, 2021). "Former NC public safety chief sworn into second-in-command position at FEMA". WRAL. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  3. ^ Vaughan, Dawn (July 7, 2021). "More changes for Cooper administration as second coronavirus response leader leaves". News Observer.
  4. ^ "NC DPS: Erik A. Hooks". www.ncdps.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  5. ^ WRAL (July 7, 2021). "NC public safety chief stepping down". WRAL.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  6. ^ "President Biden Announces Nine Key Nominations". The White House. July 27, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  7. ^ "PN941 — Erik Adrian Hooks — Department of Homeland Security 117th Congress (2021-2022)". US Congress. December 7, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.