Meet Our Team

Jeff Goldberg, FPEM, FMI

Director

Mr. Goldberg holds the Florida Professional Emergency Manager certification, Florida Master Instructor certification, and is a credentialed Type 3 Incident Commander, with nearly 40 years in the emergency management, emergency services, and business continuity professions in field operations, planning, training, and exercises. 

Mr. Goldberg is the Emergency Management Director for Walton County Emergency Management and was previously the Planning Manager with Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management. Prior to that, he worked for a number of Emergency Management consulting companies both pre and post 9/11 and led experienced teams of Special Operations personnel, trainers, exercise planners, facilitators, controllers, and evaluators. Before joining Palm Beach County, Mr. Goldberg was the Emergency Management Director for the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. and was responsible for building the Library’s emergency management program. During an activation, Mr. Goldberg serves as the Incident Commander for response and recovery efforts. 

Donna Free, FPEM, FMI 
Deputy Director

Mrs. Free holds the Florida Professional Emergency Manager certification, Florida Master Instructor certification, and is a member of the Region 1 & 2 All-Hazards Incident Management Team, serving as the Planning Section Chief. In addition to her vast experience in Emergency Management, Mrs. Free is a nurse registered in the state of Florida. 

Prior to her time with Walton County Emergency Management, Mrs. Free served as a Health Educator for the Florida Department of Health. Her deployment and disaster experience ranges from a variety of disasters, including Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Irma in the Everglades, Mussett Bayou Wildfire, and more. 

During an activation, Mrs. Free serves as the Planning Section Chief and oversees all recovery planning for a disaster. 

Catie Feeney, MS, FAEM

Operations Coordinator 

Mrs. Feeney received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Emergency Management and Master of Science degree in Corporate and Public Communication from Florida State University. She holds the Florida Associate Emergency Manager certification through the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA). 

Beyond her academic achievements, she is deeply committed to community service, dedicating her time to various initiatives such as volunteering with the Matrix Community Outreach Center, where she serves on the board of directors as Secretary, and participating in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for Walton County. During an activation, Mrs. Feeney serves as the Operations Section Chief and oversees all human and emergency services for response and recovery. Her deployment experience includes serving as the PIO for Hurricane Michael, and Operations Section Chief for Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia for Suwannee County, and Deputy Incident Commander for Hurricane Debby, Helene, and Milton in Suwannee County.

Doug Hirsch

Logistics Coordinator

Doug Hirsch is an accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Services. Throughout his career, Doug has managed emergency operations for major healthcare institutions, public academic institutions, and biopharmaceutical corporations through wildfires, hurricanes, and pandemics.
Mr. Hirsch holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University and is pursuing a Graduate level degree in Intelligence Analysis. He is also a FAA certified Part 107 UAS Remote Pilot. Above and beyond his career and academic achievements, Doug is most proud to be a husband, father, instructor, and youth coach.
During an activation, Doug Hirsch serves as the Logistics Section Chief and oversees the coordination of equipment, resources, support services, and personnel.

Gene Jack, FAEM 
EM Specialist 

Mr. Jack holds the Florida Associate Emergency Manager certificate from the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA). His public safety career began at the age of 15, where he serv ed as a Junior Firefighter for the Greenwood Village Fire Department in Butler, Pennsylvania. He continued his service as an Medical Specialist in statewide operations for the United State Army for three years. Upon returning from active duty, Mr. Jack continued to serve his community as a Fire Engineer and EMT for the next 13 years. 

Mr. Jack is the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program Manager and is a dedicated volunteer with Walton County. During an activation, Mr. Jack serves as the EOC Coordinator, providing support to all activation staff and managing the Emergency Operations Center.