Iowan Might Lead FEMA

Former Iowa emergency management chief Ellen Grodon is in the running to be President Obama's FEMA director.

From the Associated Press:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two seasoned state emergency managers have emerged as the Obama administration's leading candidates to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Florida's emergency manager Craig Fugate and former Iowa emergency manager Ellen Gordon are the administration's top two choices, according to two administration officials familiar with White House deliberations on the appointment. Both officials asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the situation.

The announcement is expected within days, one official said.

The new FEMA chief's boss, Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano, stops in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City today.