In addition to featuring Jim Cantore, the Disaster Resilience Forum will have a panel leaders whose experience, service, and commitment to the Gulf Coast provide powerful insight into how communities prepare for and respond to severe weather. Together, they bring decades of knowledge in forecasting, emergency management, resilience planning, and community recovery. Their backgrounds reflect a shared dedication to keeping people safe and strengthening the long term resilience of Southwest Alabama.

Moderator: Alan Seals
Alan Seals serves as a meteorologist and educator at the University of South Alabama, where he guides future scientists and helps the public better understand severe weather and the risks facing coastal communities. Known for his clear communication and ability to translate complex atmospheric science into practical information for families and emergency managers, he has long been recognized as one of the region’s most trusted weather educators. His expertise and engaging style make him an ideal moderator for a conversation focused on preparedness and resilience.

Panelist: Ken Graham
Ken Graham serves as the Director of NOAA’s National Weather Service and the Assistant Administrator for Weather Services, overseeing daily civilian weather operations across the United States and its territories. He previously led the National Hurricane Center through several historic seasons, including the record breaking year in 2020, and brings more than two decades of field experience from forecast offices in some of the most weather vulnerable regions of the Gulf Coast. His leadership includes the development of Impact Based Decision Support Services, life saving forecasting during major storms, and critical support during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Graham holds degrees from the University of Arizona and Mississippi State University and has received national recognition for his service and innovation.

Panelist: Melinda Stallworth

Melinda Stallworth serves as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services, the Alabama State Service Commission, where she oversees more than three million dollars in state and federal funding and leads Alabama’s AmeriCorps State Program, statewide volunteerism efforts, and initiatives that strengthen nonprofit, faith, and community organizations. She directs the state’s Volunteer and Donations Management Program, serves as the State Voluntary Liaison, manages Disaster Case Management, and oversees Ready Alabama, the statewide emergency preparedness initiative. Her career includes leadership roles with Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, and legislative liaison work for both the Alabama Retail Association and the Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs. Melinda holds degrees from Alabama State University and Auburn University at Montgomery, along with a Certified Public Manager designation. A native of Beatrice in Monroe County, she resides in Montgomery.

Panelist: Michael B. Dillaber
Michael B. Dillaber began his work in disaster response in 1995 during Hurricane Opal and has served Mobile County and the Gulf Coast region ever since. As VOAD President for Mobile County across multiple terms from 2004 to 2022, he coordinated long term recovery after Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, managing more than 260 million dollars in federal, state, and private funding. He has led disaster response efforts with Mennonite Disaster Service for Alabama and Northwest Florida since 2004, served on the Incident Command Team during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and guided statewide efforts as Alabama VOAD President during the 2011 tornadoes. Michael currently serves Mobile County Emergency Management Agency as Logistics Chief, Individual Assistance Lead, and Voluntary Agency Liaison.

Panelist: Lance Slater
Lance Slater serves as the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Mobile, where he leads efforts to strengthen community resilience, advance climate adaptation, and support long term sustainability. He coordinates across departments and works with regional partners, state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and community stakeholders to reduce risk and improve preparedness for residents. Known for his collaborative leadership, Lance focuses on building strong partnerships, improving disaster readiness, and shaping data driven strategies that protect Mobile’s people, infrastructure, and coastal environment. Outside of work, he is a devoted father and outdoorsman who enjoys spending time with his children in the woods or on the water.

For more information, visit https://UnitedWayStormReady.com.