Christina Dayries serves as the Deputy Director/Chief of Staff in the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). She assists the Director in all aspects of the agency's preparedness, prevention, response, recovery and mitigation activities. Christina has served in several positions within the agency. As the previous Asst. Deputy Director of Grants and Administration, she directed the agency's grants and administration activities for homeland security, recovery, finance, budget, purchasing, human resources, facility management and Federal grant compliance sections and is directly responsible for oversight and management of the agency's $4 billion budget.
Dayries held the section chief position of Communications and Interoperability where she was instrumental in establishing the governance structure and policy for the Louisiana Wireless Information Network (LWIN) and has been nationally recognized for establishing the Nation's first statewide digital 700 MHz radio systems in the aftermath of Katrina. Dayries was recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland (DHS) for utilizing best practices in developing grant applications related to interoperable communications.
Prior to joining GOHSEP in July 2008, Dayries worked as the executive management officer for the Louisiana State Police. Dayries and was responsible for overseeing the agency's budget and administration of the State's homeland security grant program for first responders.
Dayries began her emergency/risk management career with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury as an emergency planner/claims adjuster. While working with the Police Jury, Dayries received training in emergency and risk management and held positions on multiple boards including Southwest Louisiana Mutual Aid Association, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and Community Awareness and Emergency Response. She served on committees focusing on public awareness, steering and communications. Dayries was also a member of the Parish Hazmat Team.
Dayries has received the following awards:
- GOHSEP-Directors Award 2021 and 2013
- ABiz Magazine-Women Who Mean Business Award 2016
- Louisiana State Police-Superintendent's Award
- Louisiana State Police-Professional Excellence Award
- Louisiana State Policy-Meritorious Service/Unit Citation Award
- Southwest Louisiana Mutual Aid Association-Emergency Responder of the Year
- Southwest Louisiana Mutual Aid Association-Dedication Award
- Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association (LEPA)-Presidents Award
- Environmental Protection Association (EPA)-Quality Recognition
- Calcasieu Rotary-Parish Employee of the Year
- Louisiana Claims Association-First Certified Claims Professional
Dayries has been known as the "spark plug" for numerous emergency management initiatives throughout her career focusing on creating and implementing policy initiatives to foster a prepared and resilient Louisiana. She attended McNeese State University (MSU) and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL-L) for business management. She is originally from Abbeville and currently resides in Maurice with her husband John, daughter Caitlyn and son Charlie.