United Way of East TN Highlands Welcomes Kat Latham as the
NETN Regional Director of Long-Term Recovery
Johnson City, TN — United Way of East TN Highlands is proud to announce the appointment of Kat Latham as the Regional Director of Long-Term Recovery. With a distinguished background in nonprofit leadership, emergency management, and disaster recovery, Kat will spearhead efforts to address post-Hurricane Helene recovery across Cocke, Carter, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
As NETN Regional Director of Long-Term Recovery, Kat will play a critical role in coordinating efforts among multiple counties to ensure a unified and effective recovery strategy. She will serve as the primary liaison between United Way and the region’s long-term recovery groups, providing direct support to local executive directors while fostering collaboration, addressing shared challenges, and identifying funding opportunities to meet the diverse needs of affected communities.
In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Kat will develop and implement comprehensive recovery plans, monitor progress, and engage stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the recovery process. Her role will involve regular on-the-ground assessments to identify ongoing needs and gaps, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and equitably.
Kat’s extensive experience uniquely positions her for success in this role. As Operations & Training Officer for the Washington County/Johnson City Emergency Management Agency, she managed resource coordination in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during Hurricane Helene, assisted in recovery efforts and guided the formation of a county long-term recovery group. She also developed disaster preparedness and response plans, conducted training programs for the community and emergency personnel, and built partnerships with community stakeholders to address recovery challenges comprehensively.
Kat’s credentials include graduation from the National Emergency Management Basic Academy and numerous FEMA certifications, including advanced courses in emergency planning, incident command, and disaster recovery coordination. Her experience extends to serving as a firefighter, an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and HazMat Technician, roles that demanded decisive action, resource management, and strong leadership in crisis situations.
In addition to her emergency management expertise, Kat’s nonprofit leadership background has honed her skills in strategic planning, grant writing, and community engagement. As Executive Director of CLEAN, Inc., she directed long-term initiatives focused on youth and family services, cultivated funding opportunities, and implemented programs that brought measurable improvements to the community. This blend of leadership, operational expertise, and compassion will guide her work in addressing the complex needs of the recovery process.
“We are thrilled to have Kat join our team,” said Leslie Dalton, CEO of United Way of East TN Highlands. “Her blend of emergency response experience and nonprofit leadership experience makes her the ideal candidate to lead long-term recovery efforts across the region. Her ability to unite diverse stakeholders and bring strategic focus to complex challenges will be instrumental in ensuring a resilient and sustainable recovery for our communities.”
Kat, a passionate advocate for community resilience, shared, “I am honored to take on this role and work with such dedicated teams and stakeholders. Recovery is about more than rebuilding structures; it’s about rebuilding lives, fostering resilience, and ensuring that our communities emerge stronger than ever.”
About United Way
United Way is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in our community. By fostering collaboration and leveraging resources, United Way addresses critical issues and builds pathways to resilience and sustainability. The United Way of East TN Highlands is dedicated to supporting local recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and will continue to work closely with community organizations to ensure families and children are not left behind during this difficult time.
For more information, please contact Leslie Dalton at 423-220-1229.
To volunteer in the relief efforts, visit Volunteer-United.org.
To donate to the Emergency Relief Fund of United Way of East TN Highlands, visit UnitedWayETNH.org/help
To see where all the donations have been allocated to date and the generous donors who have contributed to the fund, visit UnitedWayETNH.org/donation-impact
For more information, please contact: United Way of East TN Highlands Phone: (423) 220-1229
Email: ldalton@unitedwayetnh.org