LT. GEN. RUSSEL L. HONORE  (U.S. Army, retired) served in the military for 37 years.  He led the U.S. Dept. of Defense response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and was a commanding general in the Middle East and in Korea. 

He served in a variety of command and staff positions focused on Defense Support of Civil Authorities and Homeland Defense. 

A highly decorated soldier, he received numerous awards and medals, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal. 

Today he is a business consultant, public speaker, Senior Scientist for the Gallup Organization, and CNN contributor on topics related to disaster preparedness.  He holds a B.S. Degree in Vocational Agriculture from Southern University and an M.A. in Human Resources from Troy State.  A native of Lakeland, Louisiana, he and his wife Beverly live in Baton Rouge, and they have four grown children.