The Audrain County Commission recently promoted interim emergency management director Carl Donaldson as the permanent director of the emergency management department. Donaldson has served as interim director for the past six months.

“I am honored to be selected as the new Audrain County emergency management director and am proud to be able to help the residents of this community plan and prepare for emergencies and disasters,” he said.

Audrain County Presiding Commissioner Alan Winders said the commission was impressed, not only by Donaldson’s credentials, but also his ability to run the department and learn about every facet of the position.

“Carl has demonstrated excellent leadership and organizational skills,” Winders explained. “We believe these will be an asset to the department and the execution of the county’s emergency management plan.”

Donaldson said his future plans as director include developing strong relationships with other departments, agencies and organizations to help improve communications and strengthen the department’s ability to respond as a whole when called upon in times of need. Western District Commissioner Tracy Graham said he was impressed with Donaldson’s ability to reach community leaders and bring them together.

“I have watched Carl the past few months as interim director,” he said. “He knows communication is essential for emergency management and has contacted area leaders, worked with members of the local emergency planning agencies, and found various resources for our communities to help them when and if an emergency arises.”

Prior to being interim director, Donaldson held several supervisory positions in the fields of technology and city management. He served as an operations manager for Custom Tech Sources in Afton; he has an IT officer as well as the public works director for the city of Laddonia;and is a former member of the Laddonia City Council; and a supply chain lead for Charter Communications.

Donaldson, his wife Ashley and their two sons reside in Mexico. They are members of the First Baptist Church in Laddonia and he has served on the Laddonia Athletic Association as well as the Laddonia Cemetery Board. Since they recently moved to Mexico from Laddonia, Donaldson said the family is working towards becoming more involved in the Mexico community. So far, they have been involved with the Audrain Historical Society and the Audrain County Shelter Coalition. Eastern District Commissioner Leslie Meyer said she was excited to have someone from the county promoted to the position.

“I love it when we can promote someone, who is already an active member of the county, to such a position,” she said. “Carl has a drive for knowledge in this field that is unmatched, in my opinion, and the best ‘can-do’ attitude. I know our local emergency organizations as well as our community leaders will enjoy working with him to protect Audrain County residents.”