Skip to main content
Mobile
  • Finance, Accounting & Economics
  • Global Business Management
  • Management, Leadership & Organisation
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Strategy
  • Technology & Operations
HS Talks HS Talks
Subjects  
Search
  • Notifications
    Notifications

    No current notifications.

  • User
    Welcome Guest
    You have Limited Access The Business & Management Collection
    Login
    Get Assistance
    Login
    Forgot your password?
    Login via your organisation
    Login via Organisation
    Get Assistance
Finance, Accounting & Economics
Global Business Management
Management, Leadership & Organisation
Marketing & Sales
Strategy
Technology & Operations
You currently don't have access to this journal. Request access now.
Case study

Get it together, together: Creating whole community continuity through cross-sector collaboration in Texas

Heather Hernandez, Shelby Hyman and Stephen Vollbrecht
Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, 17 (3), 235-247 (2024)
https://doi.org/10.69554/LAUD9286

Abstract

Continuity of operations for government is an evolving philosophy, much like exercises and after-action reports. Continuity continues to identify areas for growth and improvement as more people become involved in the conversation. This paper briefly describes the evolution of continuity in the USA and its application in the State of Texas. Moving forward, it discusses the application of the concept of ‘whole community continuity’ as the driving force of the Continuity Council in Texas, which focuses on preparedness at all levels, from individuals to private industry, to all levels of government.

Keywords: continuity of operations; continuity of government; business continuity; whole community continuity; cross-sector collaboration

The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.

Already a subscriber? Login or review other options.

Author's Biography

Heather Hernandez is the Statewide Continuity Coordinator for the State Office of Risk Management and leads the Statewide Continuity Program for Texas. She began her service with the agency in 2021 and is responsible for supporting Texas entities in their continuity efforts by helping to build a robust programme for each entity and the entire State of Texas. Ms Hernandez facilitates the Continuity Council, which is comprised of federal, state and local entities, as well as private enterprise. Heather is certified as a Master Continuity Practitioner by the Emergency Management Institute and Military Emergency Management Specialist (SGAUS) and has over seven years of experience working for the State of Texas. She holds two bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Texas in Austin and a master of public administration from the University of Texas Permian Basin.

Shelby Hyman is the Director of Agency Relations for the State Office of Risk Management (SORM) in Texas, and serves as the Continuity Task Force Leader, overseeing the operations of the Statewide Continuity Program. Ms Hyman’s continuity background started in 2000, when she developed continuing education television programmes for subscribing healthcare and emergency services industries. Upon joining SORM, she launched the agency’s online media programme and other communication strategies to support continuity of operations and other agency missions. Ms Hyman is certified as a Master Continuity Practitioner by the Emergency Management Institute and has over 15 years’ experience working for the State of Texas. Ms Hyman holds a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas at Dallas with a concentration in communications, and pursued her master of arts in humanities at the same institution. She is a graduate of the Governor’s Senior Management Development Program at the University of Texas, LBJ School of Public Affairs.

Stephen Vollbrecht is the State Risk Manager for Texas, overseeing the State Office of Risk Management (SORM) as the Executive Director. He is also commissioned as a Judge Advocate assigned to the Texas Military Department, State Guard, HQ, headquarters and headquarters company (HHC). He is also active in integrating continuity as a critical aspect of enterprise risk managemen as a member of ASSP/US Technical Advisory Group to ANSI ISO/TC 262/TG 5 (ISO 31000: Risk Management). Mr Vollbrecht is certified as a Master Continuity Practitioner (MCP) by the Emergency Management Institute (FEMA); a Master Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) by the State Guard Association of the United States; and a Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and is active in multiple professional associations. He holds Associate in General Insurance (AINS), Insurance Services (AIS), and Risk Management (ARM) designations from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters. Mr Vollbrecht received his doctor of jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law, master of arts from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defence and Security, bachelor of arts from Texas Lutheran University, and associate of applied science from Kilgore College.

Citation

Hernandez, Heather, Hyman, Shelby and Vollbrecht, Stephen (2024, March 1). Get it together, together: Creating whole community continuity through cross-sector collaboration in Texas. In the Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, Volume 17, Issue 3. https://doi.org/10.69554/LAUD9286.

Options

  • Download PDF
  • Share this page
    Share This Article
    Messaging
    • Outlook
    • Gmail
    • Yahoo!
    • WhatsApp
    Social
    • Facebook
    • X
    • LinkedIn
    • VKontakte
    Permalink
cover image, Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning
Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning
Volume 17 / Issue 3
© Henry Stewart
Publications LLP

The Business & Management Collection

  • ISSN: 2059-7177
  • Contact Us
  • Request Free Trial
  • Recommend to Your Librarian
  • Subscription Information
  • Match Content
  • Share This Collection
  • Embed Options
  • View Quick Start Guide
  • Accessibility

Categories

  • Finance, Accounting & Economics
  • Global Business Management
  • Management, Leadership & Organisation
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Strategy
  • Technology & Operations

Librarian Information

  • General Information
  • MARC Records
  • Discovery Services
  • Onsite & Offsite Access
  • Federated (Shibboleth) Access
  • Usage Statistics
  • Promotional Materials
  • Testimonials

About Us

  • About HSTalks
  • Editors
  • Contact Information
  • About the Journals

HSTalks Home

Follow Us On:

HS Talks
  • Site Requirements
  • Copyright & Permissions
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
© Copyright Henry Stewart Talks Ltd

Personal Account Required

To use this function, you need to be signed in with a personal account.

If you already have a personal account, please login here.

Otherwise you may sign up now for a personal account.

HS Talks

Cookies and Privacy

We use cookies, and similar tools, to improve the way this site functions, to track browsing patterns and enable marketing. For more information read our cookie policy and privacy policy.

Cookie Settings

How Cookies Are Used

Cookies are of the following types:

  • Essential to make the site function.
  • Used to analyse and improve visitor experience.

For more information see our Cookie Policy.

Some types of cookies can be disabled by you but doing so may adversely affect functionality. Please see below:

(always on)

If you block these cookies or set alerts in your browser parts of the website will not work.

Cookies that provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. If not allowed functionality may be impaired.

Cookies that count and track visits and on website activity enabling us to organise the website to optimise the experience of users. They may be blocked without immediate adverse effect.