Bush to name first DHS preparedness chief

President Bush plans to nominate George Foresman to become the first preparedness undersecretary at the Homeland Security Department, the White House announced Monday.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff created the position and a reorganization of the department after a review this summer. The position previously was under the information analysis and infrastructure protection division, but Chertoff proposed splitting the division to concentrate all preparedness activities under a new undersecretary.

Foresman currently serves as the Virginia governor's assistant for preparedness. The White House touted Foresman's more than 20 years on public-safety issues.

The Bush administration was heavily criticized for its lack of preparedness to respond to Hurricane Katrina last month. Numerous reports surfaced that former Federal Emergency Management Director Michael Brown, who resigned days after the hurricane, did not have adequate experience in emergency management.