[KevinTheOmnivore]

James Lee Witt

"Mr. Witt's professional career includes the formation of Witt Construction, a commercial and residential construction company. After 12 years as a successful businessman and community leader, he was elected County Judge for Yell County, serving as the chief elected official for the county, with judicial responsibilities for county and juvenile court. At age 34, he was the youngest elected official in Arkansas, and was later honored for his accomplishments by the National Association of Counties. After being re-elected six times to the position, Mr. Witt was tapped by then-Governor Bill Clinton to assume leadership of the Arkansas Office of Emergency Services (OES). He served as the Director of the Arkansas OES for four years."

I hear ya on FEMA's performance level, but let's be fair, this guy didn't really have the background either until Clinton decided to take a fellow Arkansasan along for the ride.

That may, however, be a moot point. Like you said, FEMA had a strong rep. under Witt, but it was also (sort of jokingly) called the biggest vote buyer in the country.