Arkansas Emergency Management Director AJ Gary Has Retired

The longtime state official announced his upcoming departure after a decade of leading disaster response efforts.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Emergency Response

Arkansas Emergency Management Director AJ Gary Has Retired

Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Director AJ Gary has announced his retirement from the agency. He will also vacate his role as the state's Homeland Security Advisor when he departs the position on Nov. 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Gary led the state through significant emergency challenges, overseeing the response to nearly 50 declared disasters during his time in the role. His departure marks a leadership transition for the state's primary emergency and homeland security organization.

The agency managed 49 state and federally declared disaster responses under Gary's direction. The specific timeline for appointing an interim or permanent replacement remains unknown.

The players

AJ Gary

He is the outgoing director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management who has served in state emergency roles for over a decade.

Asa Hutchinson

He is a former Governor of Arkansas who originally appointed Gary to lead the Division of Emergency Management in 2016.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

She is the current Governor of Arkansas who reappointed Gary to lead the agency in January 2023.

National Emergency Management Association

This is a professional organization of state emergency management directors where Gary currently serves as president.

The details

AJ Gary submitted his retirement announcement to finalize his career in state emergency management, a field he served for more than ten years. Beyond his state-level responsibilities, he also holds the position of president for the National Emergency Management Association.

AJ Gary was first appointed as ADEM director in June 2016.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders reappointed Gary on Jan. 10, 2023.
Gary became president of the National Emergency Management Association in October 2025.
The official retirement date for Gary is set for Nov. 1, 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

This retirement announcement marks the conclusion of the 2016 appointment of AJ Gary as ADEM director, providing a definitive end to his decade-long tenure in state leadership.

Residents should continue to follow official guidance from the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management during active disaster events. The agency remains fully operational to coordinate safety efforts across the state despite the upcoming leadership transition.

The takeaway

Effective emergency management relies on consistent leadership through unpredictable disaster cycles. Residents can stay prepared by regularly reviewing local emergency protocols as the state transitions to new leadership.