In this section
Related
HAZUS User of the Year
A way for FEMA to recognize four individuals a year, dedicated to furthering the success of HAZUS. Nominate a HAZUS user, developer, trainer or anyone who has added to the value of HAZUS and emergency management.
As a way of recognizing those individuals who are dedicated to furthering the success of HAZUS, FEMA has created the HAZUS User of the Year designation to help show appreciation to those who have contributed to the success of the program. The success of HAZUS is determined by awareness and usage - the more that communities are aware of its capabilities and utilize the program, the more lives can be saved, economic losses are decreased, preparedness increases, and faster response and recovery times are witnessed in impacted communities.
Each quarter, FEMA will spotlight the contributions of a HAZUS user who has provided exceptional services to the expansion of the HAZUS program. This individual may be a user, a developer, a trainer or anyone who has been involved in adding value to HAZUS. For example, you may nominate someone that has recently started using HAZUS for innovative projects, has created or participated in a HAZUS User Group (HUG), or that has prepared or taught a new HAZUS course.
2011 HAZUS Users of the Year
1st Quarter: Shanna Michael, Hazus Lead, AECOM
2nd Quarter: Ed Whitford, Tetra Tech
3rd Quarter: Hope Seligson, MMI Engineering
4th Quarter: Bert Struik, Natural Resources Canada
2010 HAZUS Users of the Year
1st Quarter: Shelby Hudson, AMEC Earth and Environmental
2nd Quarter: Jonathan Remo, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
3rd Quarter: Philip McCormick, City of Riverside, CA
4th Quarter: Lisa Graff, GIS Team Manager of the Illinois
State Water Survey (ISWS)
2009 HAZUS Users of the Year
Shane Hubbard, University of Iowa
Cathy Walker, Washington Military Department, IT Division
Michael Scott, Salisbury University
S. Kate Ploeger, University of Ottawa
2008 HAZUS Users of the Year
Melissa Berry, South Carolina Emergency Management Division
Cynthia Quigley, Riverside County, California
Thomas Mueller, California University of Pennsylvania
2007 HAZUS Users of the Year
Jamie Mitchem, California University of Pennsylvania
Jonathan Salomon, Northeast States Emergency Consortium
Bert Struik

Congratulations to Lambertus Struik, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), for his outstanding work with Hazus-MH. Dr. Struik has been a lead contributor in building knowledge transfer and capability for use of Hazus in Canada. He has attended several Annual Hazus Conferences and coordinates both a Canadian Hazus Users Group (CanHUG) and a Risk Assessment Users Group (RAUG), connecting Hazus and risk assessment users across Canada and with the Washington Hazus User Group (WAHUG).
Dr. Struik was instrumental in the August 2011 signing of the Canadian – United States agreement to share Hazus methodology, materials, and outreach between the two countries. He is connecting the two countries through the CanHUG and RAUG initiatives, which helps to improve cross border modeling of natural hazards. He hosts teleconferences for each group monthly and assists with the maintenance of the (CanHUG) website at http://www.usehazus.com/canadianhug.
Dr. Struik has extensive experience in developing and leading multidisciplinary and multi- jurisdictional projects. He has over 10 years of experience in contributions to Natural Resources Canada’s program policy, and managed NRCan’s national Natural Hazards and Emergency Response Program. He is an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University’s Earth Sciences Department and Centre for Natural Hazards Research. He specializes in land use policy in geological hazard risk reduction and has a background in geological tectonics and mapping of Canada’s western mountains.
Prior to his involvement with Hazus, Dr. Struik was the manager for the Natural Hazards Program at NRCan. He is currently working on developing a collaborative land use guide for Canadian communities, using outputs and knowledge from Hazus. He sits on the Canadian Risk and Hazards Network (CRHNet) board and is one of the key organizers of the CRHNet 2012 symposium to be held in Vancouver. Dr. Struik will host a Canadian Hazus User Group meeting at this year’s symposium.
FEMA is proud to present Lambertus Struik with the 4th Quarter Hazus User of the Year Award for his outstanding commitment and achievement to the Hazus Program.
