RIFMA Speakers

Plenary Session

Gardner Bent

Gardner Bent has been a hydrologist at the USGS Massachusetts-Rhode Island Water Science Center since 1989. Since 1991, he has been project chief of a number of studies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island mainly involving surface-water hydrology.
In 2006, he became chief of the Hydrologic Data and Surface-Water Studies Section, which includes overseeing the surface- and ground-water data networks for the two states.

Kevin Houck, P.E., CFM

Kevin Houck, PE, CFM, serves as a Senior Engineer for the Flood Protection Section of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, where he has worked since August 2003. His duties include coordination of the Flood Mitigation Assistance Programs throughout Colorado, assistance with flood mapping studies, engineering project management, general technical assistance, and public outreach regarding the flood hazards in the state.

Prior to his role at the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Kevin served as a consulting engineer for eight years in the Denver area. His work included hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and design, urban stream restoration, reservoir analysis and design, and transportation hydraulics.

He presently serves as the Vice-Chair for the Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM). He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). He serves as the Arid Regions Committee Liaison for ASFPM. In recent years, he has also served on the Boards of Directors for the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Colorado Section and the American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Section.

Outside of work, Kevin serves as the Colorado Director for the Washington State University Alumni Association and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), an advocacy program for abused and neglected children. However, he is most proud of being the head coach of his 5-year old daughter’s soccer and basketball teams.

Mike Goetz

Michael Goetz is the Branch Chief for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment in the Mitigation Division at FEMA Region 1 and has been with FEMA for over 23 years. He is responsible for Flood Map Modernization and the National Flood Insurance Program in New England. Mike holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geology from the University of Rhode Island.

Ed Thomas esq.

Edward A. Thomas is employed by the Michael Baker Engineering Corporation, working on the development of partnerships to better map Natural and man-made hazards in the United States. Ed retired from the Department of Homeland Security-Federal Emergency Management Agency after nearly thirty-five years of Public Service. During his time in government, he worked primarily in Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness and Response. Ed managed the National Flood Insurance Program in New England for seventeen years. During that time he was recognized for managing the development of numerous landmark improvements to floodplain management which are in use to this day.

He also was involved in the construction and management of housing developments for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ed worked on about two hundred disasters and emergencies, serving as the President’s on scene representative, the Federal Coordinating Officer, dozens of times.

Ed is an Attorney, a frequent lecturer on Emergency Management issues, especially the Constitutional and Legal Aspects of Floodplain Regulations. He has also authored numerous publications and articles on various Disaster related issues. In 2006 Ed received the Nation’s highest award for Floodplain Management: The Goddard-White Award from the Association of State Floodplain Managers. He lives with his wife in the floodplain of beautiful Marina Bay in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Joseph Torti, III

Joseph Torti, III was appointed to the position of Associate Director and Superintendent of Insurance on December 16, 2002. As Superintendent of Insurance he is responsible for the regulation of more than 1,300 foreign and domestic insurance companies as well as nearly 30,000 insurance licensees. In addition to monitoring the financial solvency as well as market conduct activities of insurers, the Insurance Division is responsible for review and approval of rate and form filings and handling insurance related consumer inquiries and complaints. The Insurance Division is the largest division of the Department of Business Regulation which regulates Banking, Securities, Real Estate, Racing and Athletics, and Licensing and Consumer Protection.

Superintendent Torti is a cum laude graduate of Providence College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a specialization in accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Examiner and a Certified Financial Services Auditor. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors and former officer of the Society of Governmental Accountants and Auditors.

Superintendent Torti has enjoyed a tenure of more than nineteen (19) years with the Insurance Division beginning his career as a Senior Examiner. Mr. Torti is currently the Chairman of the NAIC Financial Standards and Accreditation Committee and served in 2 prior years as Vice Chair of the Committee.

Superintendent Torti coaches his son’s little league team and volunteers his time to Saint Rocco’s School in Johnston, Rhode Island. He is 47 years old and resides in Johnston, Rhode Island with his wife Mary and nine year old son Joseph.

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