Justin Otto Graduates from FEMA Executive Public Information Officer Program

Justin Otto graduated from FEMA’s Executive Public Information Officer Program on Sept. 18 at the National Disaster and Emergency Management University in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

He was one of 24 public information professionals in the 2026 class. Fewer than 225 professionals nationwide have completed the program since it began in 2015. Otto is the fourth Kentuckian to graduate from the program and the first from Northern Kentucky.

The 10-month program prepares experienced public information officers for executive leadership, strategic decision-making and trusted advisor roles. Participants complete three resident courses and write a capstone research paper.

Otto’s paper, From Sirens to Showers: Closing Rural Kentucky’s Recovery Information Gap, grew from his experience serving as lead Public Information Officer for the Incident Management Team during the July 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods.

His research examined why important recovery information, including where survivors could find clean water, meals, showers, supplies or help applying for aid, was not always reaching the people who needed it. In many cases, the information was already known by local officials, churches and relief organizations but did not consistently reach state public information officers responsible for sharing it with the public.

The paper scored among the highest in Otto’s class and has been permanently added to the National Emergency Training Center Library in Emmitsburg.

“Justin has spent his career making sure people get the information they need when it matters most, and this program has sharpened that work at the national level,” Judge/Executive Steve Pendery said. “His research now sits permanently in a national library, carrying the names of Campbell County and Kentucky, and we are proud of what he brings back to our community.”

Otto’s classmates also selected him to serve as class representative and speak on their behalf during the graduation ceremony.

Otto has more than 20 years of communication experience. In addition to his work during the Eastern Kentucky floods, he served as lead Public Information Officer for the Incident Management Team following the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado outbreak and coordinated Campbell County messaging during major flooding in February and April 2025.