We’re Here to Help You Prepare
The United Way of Southwest Alabama is partnering with Verizon to strengthen disaster resilience, promote long-term recovery services, and enhance community preparedness across Mobile County. This initiative comes at a critical time, as Mobile—designated a Community Disaster Resilience Zone (CDRZ) in September 2023—is especially vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding, and severe storms due to its Gulf Coast location.
Low-income and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households often face heightened disaster risk due to poor housing conditions and limited resources. This was evident during the lasting impacts of Hurricanes Sally, Ida, and Zeta in 2020, when many communities struggled to recover.
Verizon’s support allows United Way not only to respond to disasters, but to proactively prepare communities
Disaster Preparedness & Resiliency Workshop Series 2026
Disaster Preparedness Workshop I
Tillman’s Corner
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (Door Open at 11:00 AM)
Tillman’s Corner Community Center
Registration Required
The first 25 people to arrive will recieve a weather radio & all guests that complete the pre & post survey will be registered to win a big prize.
Lunch provided.
Summer Disaster Workshop II
Downtown Mobile
September 23, 2026
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (Door Open at 11:00 AM)
Africatown Food Hall
Registration Required
The first 25 people to arrive will recieve a weather radio & all guests that complete the pre & post survey will be registered to win prizes.
Lunch provided.
Workshop Speakers
When disaster strikes, experience matters. Few people have spent more time helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters than Michael B. Dillaber.
Michael began his disaster response career during Hurricane Opal in 1995 and has spent the past three decades serving Mobile County and communities across the Gulf Coast. He coordinated long term recovery efforts following Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, overseeing more than $260 million in federal, state, and private recovery funding. His leadership has also included disaster operations during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the 2011 Alabama tornadoes.
Today, Michael serves with the Mobile County Emergency Management Agency as Logistics Chief, Individual Assistance Lead, and Voluntary Agency Liaison, helping strengthen disaster preparedness and response throughout our region. Throughout his career, he has built partnerships and coordinated response systems that continue to benefit communities across Alabama and have been replicated nationwide.
Join Michael at one of the United Way & Verizon Disaster Preparedness Workshops as he shares practical insights on preparing before disaster strikes and building a stronger, more resilient Gulf Coast.
Susie A. James is a community relations professional based in Mobile, Alabama, serving as a Community Relations Specialist. In her role, she helps foster meaningful connections between organizations and the communities they serve, supporting outreach initiatives, stakeholder engagement, partnerships, and programs that create positive community impact.
Susie works closely with nonprofit organizations and local stakeholders to strengthen collaborations and promote initiatives that enhance quality of life. Her professional approach is grounded in communication, collaboration, and a commitment to helping organizations make a lasting difference in the communities they support.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Susie is known for her dedication to community engagement and her interest in creative endeavors, including watercolor art and design.
Join Susie at the United Way & Verizon Disaster Resilience Forum Featuring James Spann as she shares how collaboration and community partnerships help build a stronger, more prepared Gulf Coast.
Disasters do not end when the storm passes. In the days and weeks that follow, scammers, fraudulent contractors, and other bad actors often target families working to recover. Helping people recognize those threats before they become victims is at the heart of Evey Owen’s work.
As Vice President of South Alabama for the Better Business Bureau of Central & South Alabama, Evey leads business and media relations throughout the region, providing consumers, community organizations, and the media with trusted, practical information. With more than 15 years of communications experience, she helps residents identify scams, verify contractors, and make informed decisions during disaster recovery.
Join Evey at the United Way & Verizon Disaster Preparedness Workshop to learn how to protect yourself from post disaster fraud and confidently navigate the recovery process.
When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross is often one of the first organizations on the scene. Brian Phelan has spent more than six years helping families recover from home fires, hurricanes, and other emergencies while leading preparedness efforts throughout South Alabama.
As the Community Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross, Brian oversees disaster preparedness, response, volunteer engagement, and community education across Mobile and Baldwin counties. Working alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, he helps ensure residents have the knowledge, resources, and support they need before and after disasters.
Originally from New York, Brian has called the Mobile area home for nearly 20 years. His passion for serving the community and helping families prepare before severe weather makes him an invaluable resource for Gulf Coast residents.
Join Brian at the United Way & Verizon Disaster Preparedness Workshop as he shares practical steps every family can take to prepare for emergencies and build resilience before disaster strikes.
Exhibitors
Preparation Resources from the Workshops
Mobile County EMA: Family Plan – Click here to download the presentation.
Alabama Power: Disaster Ready – Click here Click here to download the presentation.
Better Business Bureau: Disater Recoveryw without the Scams – Click here to download the presenation.
Summer Disaster Workshop Series 2025
Preparation Resources from the Workshops
Medical Preparedness: Springhill Medical Center – Click here to download the presentation
Rebuilding or Preparing Your Home: Home Builder Licensure Board – Click here to download the presentation
How Can Lawyer Help After a Storm: South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program – Click here to download the presentation
Avoid Scams: Better Business Bureau – Click here to download the presentation
Have A Plan: Mobile County EMA – Click here to download the presentation
Hurricane Response: Spire Energy – Click here to download the presentation
Summer Disaster Workshop I
North Mobile County
Summer Disaster Workshop II
Downtown Mobile
Summer Disaster Workshop III
South Mobile County
Summer Disaster Workshop IV
West Mobile County
Workshop I Guests
Natilee Davies & Dakota Williams, Citronelle High School Azalea Trail Maids
Rev. Dino Danzey, Citronelle Memorial Baptist Church
Beth Thomas, External Affairs Manager, Alabama Power
Mayor Jason Stringer, Citronelle Mayor
Mike Dillaber, Plans and Operations Manager, Mobile County EMA
Cole Lucky, IT and Communications Officer, Mobile County EMA
Patsy Hughes, Consumer Outreach, Education, and Recruiting Coordinator, Alabama Department of Insurance
Travis Taylor, Director of the Office of Risk and Resilience, Alabama Department of Insurance
Workshop II Speakers
Olivier Charles, President, Bishop State Community College
Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, District One Mobile County Commission
Erin Coker, BSN, RN, Emergency Management & Safety Office, Springhill Medical Center
Wayne Castanos, Area Manager, Spire Energy
Mike Dillaber, Plans and Operations Manager, Mobile County EMA
Kelly DeVoe, Marketing Coordinator, Better Business Bureau of Central & South Alabama
Rev. Leonora Wilder, Impact Success Coach, Bishop State Community College
Scouting American – Mobile Area Council Troop 29
Workshop III Speakers
Darlene Burt, Home Builders Licensure Board
Mary Tyler Spivey, Home Builders Licensure Board
Heather Sands, South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program
Mike Dillaber, Plans and Operations Manager, Mobile County EMA
Dan McCrory, Bayou La Batre Utilities Board
Fr. Dan Good, St. Philip Neri & St. Michael Parishes
Workshop IV Speakers
Zoe McMahan, The New Hot 104 FM
Mayor Brandon Van Hook, Mayor of Semmes
Patsy Hughes, Alabama Department of Insurance
Eric Coker, BSN, RN, Springhill Medical Center
Mary Tyler Spivey, Alabama Home Builder Licensure Board
Mike Dillaber, Plans and Operations Manager, Mobile County EMA
Justine Bixler, United Way of Southwest Alabama
Workshop I Exhibitors
- United Way 2-1-1
- AARP
- Alabama Department of Insurance
- Alabama Power
- Governor’s Office of Volunteers
- Mobile County Emergency Management Agency
- South Alabama Utilities
- Spire
Workshop II Exhibitors
- United Way 2-1-1
- AARP
- Alabama Department of Insurance
- Alabama Power
- Better Business Bureau of Central & South Alabama
- Governor’s Office of Volunteers
- Mobile County Commission
- Mobile County Emergency Management Agency
- Spire
Workshop III Exhibitors
- United Way 2-1-1
- AARP
- Alabama Power
- American Red Cross
- Bayou La Batre Utilities Board
- Better Business Bureau of Central & South Alabama
- Governor’s Office of Volunteers
- Ready Alabama
- South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program
Workshop IV Exhibitors
- United Way 2-1-1
- AARP
- Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board
- Alabama Power
- American Red Cross Serving South Alabama
- Better Business Bureau of Central & South Alabama
- Governor’s Office of Volunteers
- Mobile County EMA
