Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced the appointment of Rich Guidice as the Executive Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), replacing Alicia Tate-Nadeau, who is leaving to serve as the Director of Homeland Security and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Guidice will begin serving as Acting Executive Director on Saturday, January 19.

“I’ve worked with Rich since my first days in office, and he has been the steady hand at OEMC that ensures general operations, large -scale events like the NATO Summit and marquee annual events like Lollapalooza are a success. Rich’s knowledge of the city and experience with OEMC make him the natural choice to lead OEMC,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Throughout her impressive career, Alicia Tate-Nadeau has been the model of what a public servant should be, and I thank her on behalf of Chicago for her service and wish her the best in her new role with the state of Illinois.”

Guidice has served as OEMC's First Deputy Director since 2016. As second in command, he oversees the city's dispatch operations, including the 911 center; 311 city services and aviation communications; the public safety information and technology section; the emergency management section; and the traffic management authority in support of the mission to coordinate the city's public safety efforts. He also leads planning and coordination for annual marquee events like the Lollapalooza Music Festival and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, among a host of other planned and unplanned events throughout the city.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity for the OEMC and the City of Chicago,” said Acting Executive Director Guidice. “I look forward to continuing our goal of keeping our great city safe and moving forward.”

Prior to serving as First Deputy Director, Guidice served as the Managing Deputy Director of Operations at OEMC since 2005. As Managing Deputy Director, he created and implemented the city's Traffic Management Authority, and was an integral part of the team responsible for implementing the city's operations center. In this role, he spearheaded planning and coordination for the protection of people and property during large-scale events, including the 2008 Inauguration Celebration for President Barack Obama in Grant Park, the 2012 NATO Summit, the Stanley Cup Championship parades and rallies for the Chicago Blackhawks (2010, 2013, 2015) as well as the World Series Championship celebrations for the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs. Guidice also oversaw the coordination of seasonal weather-related emergencies citywide.

Guidice’s appointment is subject to City Council approval. Born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago, Guidice currently lives in the East Randolph neighborhood.

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