MDEMA Leadership
Emily Wesselhoff
President
Emily works as a Preparedness Analyst at the Maryland Department of Emergency Management. Initially exploring a career in emergency medicine, her volunteer work at the Johns Hopkins Emergency Department shifted her focus to emergency management. Her unique background includes finance, public health, customer service, and even stints as a professional musician, actor, and teacher. Emily is adept in executing statewide capability gap analyses, planning, and response coordination. She holds a BS in Biology with a minor in Public Health as well as a BA in Spanish Language from Towson University. Currently, she is enhancing her skills
through the Emergence Program at the Naval School Center for Homeland Defense and Security and working on a capstone for the Planning Practitioner Program at the Emergency Management Institute.
Howard Simons
Vice President
As the special events/operations coordinator at Baltimore County HSEM, Howard leads and coordinates the planning, preparedness, response, and recovery activities for various hazards and incidents that affect the County. With a master's degree in emergency management and over seventeen years of work experience in public safety and disaster training, Howard has developed strong skills in risk assessment, crisis communication, resource management, and stakeholder engagement. He is passionate about enhancing the resilience and safety of communities and organizations, and collaborates with multiple partners from different sectors and levels of government to achieve this mission. Howard also serves as a Fire lieutenant at Baltimore County Fire Department and a Health and Safety officer with Oakmont Contracting, where he applies and shares knowledge and best practices in emergency management. Howard values teamwork, innovation, and professionalism, and strives to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the field of emergency management.
Marianne Souders
Treasurer
Marianne manages the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security’s Planning Division. The planning division is responsible for coordinating with multiple county departments, agencies, as well as public and private partners to develop emergency plans and preparedness initiatives. Additionally, the Planning Division is responsible for community engagement and outreach activities that enhance the awareness and preparedness abilities of the citizens who live and work in Montgomery County.
Wendy Walch
Secretary
Wendy is a Technological Hazards Preparedness Specialist for the Maryland Department of Emergency Management. A career spanning EM, law enforcement, emergency medical services, telecommunications, and public information has given her a well-rounded background in crisis communications, radiological emergency preparedness, CBRNE response, public education, and policy writing. Wendy holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of South Carolina in Literature & Linguistics. Her goal is to become a Radiological Operations Support Specialist while pursuing her Master's through UMGC in Strategic Communications.