In our next episode, we're thrilled to have an exclusive interview with Lester L. Ingol, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistant Administrator for the Resilience Office of Business Management (OBM). Since stepping into this pivotal role in August 2023, Mr. Ingol has been at the helm of FEMA's Resilience operations, managing a $10 billion annual budget and overseeing critical areas such as budget operations, human resources, procurement, and asset management.

With a career that spans leadership positions in FEMA and a distinguished 10-year service in the US Marine Corps, Mr. Ingol brings unparalleled expertise in crisis management and disaster response. He has led major mission support initiatives across Resilience, steered FEMA's security programs, and played a crucial role in managing acquisitions during significant disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as the COVID-19 response.

Tune in to hear Mr. Ingol share his insights on managing large-scale disaster operations, ensuring FEMA's readiness, and his journey from the Marine Corps to a leading role in national resilience.

00:00 Intro
03:28 - Career Journey: How Did You Get Here?
09:35 - Understanding FEMA's Mission
13:11 - Perspectives: Contractor & Fed
17:23 - Balancing Tech Solutions and Budget at FEMA
20:44 - The Future of Proposals with AI
25:18 - The Toughest Decision Made
29:04 - Favorite Bourbon
30:17 - Characteristics of a Good Vendor
35:03 - Career Highlight
38:52 - Two Pieces of Advice for Aspiring Leaders
43:16 - Lester’s Superpower


Lester L. Ingol is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistant Administrator for the Resilience Office of Business Management (OBM). He entered this position in August 2023. In this position, Mr. Ingol leads the Resilience-wide portfolio on budget operations, human resources, procurement and asset management, workforce/employee development, and Resilience employee readiness. Mr. Ingol ensures Resilience accountability for an approximately $10 billion annual budget and guides Resilience through the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process that includes annual resource allocation planning development, the President’s Budget Request, and Congressional appropriations matters. He also provides enterprise-wide direction on major mission support initiatives across Resilience.

Prior to this position, Mr. Ingol served as the Acting Chief Security Officer from January 2023 to August 2023. He was responsible for directing the development and execution of FEMA’s security programs, including the security of classified information and programs, the protection of FEMA facilities including regional, field and outlying installations/offices, investigations of security concerns, enforcement of security requirements, development of security policies, identification of security initiatives, and establishing and ensuring compliance with security standards for the Agency.

Previously, Mr. Ingol served as FEMA’s Deputy Head of the Contracting Activity within the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer. He was responsible for the management and oversight of acquisition operations, policy, and programs totaling approximately $3.76B and 9,800 transactions, annually.