Jacksonville, AL – Antoine B. Richards, a doctoral student in Emergency Management at Jax State University, has been named one of the honorees of the prestigious 2024 40 Under 40 Award by the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA). The announcement was made during the IAEM Plugged In Virtual Conference on April 18, 2024.
The IAEM-USA 40 Under 40 Award celebrates outstanding individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated remarkable talent, leadership, and achievements in the field of emergency management. This accolade recognizes emerging professionals who have made significant contributions to their communities and have shown exceptional promise in advancing the emergency management profession.
Antoine B. Richards’ selection for this esteemed award is a testament to his unwavering dedication, expertise, and commitment to the advancement of emergency management. As a doctoral student at Jax State University, Antoine has showcased exemplary leadership and academic excellence, positioning himself as a rising star in the field. Notably, he served as the President of the IAEM Student Chapter at Jax State from 2018 to 2021, leading the chapter to receive the ‘Best Student Chapter of the Year’ Award from IAEM-USA in 2019.
Dr. Tanveer Islam, Department Head for the Emergency Management and Public Administration Department at Jax State University, expressed pride in Antoine’s achievement, stating, “We are incredibly proud of Antoine and his well-deserved recognition by IAEM-USA. His passion, dedication, and innovative approach to emergency management exemplify the values and mission of our department. Antoine’s contributions are shaping the future of the field, and we look forward to witnessing his continued success.”
Antoine B. Richards’ inclusion in the IAEM-USA 40 Under 40 cohort underscores Jax State University’s commitment to fostering excellence and leadership in emergency management education and practice. Through cutting-edge research, hands-on training, and community engagement initiatives, Jax State empowers students like Antoine to become catalysts for change in addressing the multifaceted challenges of disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. His recognition serves as a testament to the collective efforts and dedication of the university towards shaping the next generation of emergency management leaders.
