ATLANTA, GA (November 11, 2026) — The Salvation Army of Georgia proudly celebrates Lanita Lloyd, Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and Divisional Director of Emergency Disaster Services (EDS), as the recipient of the 2026 IAEM-USA Elizabeth B. Armstrong Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Association. Presented by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA), the award recognizes Lloyd’s longstanding leadership, dedication to professional development, and significant contributions to the emergency management profession.
With more than 30 years of experience in emergency management and more than two decades of service to IAEM, Lloyd has built a distinguished career defined by collaboration, leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
“We are incredibly proud to have Lanita Lloyd leading Emergency Disaster Services for The Salvation Army of Georgia,” said Major Barry Corbitt, General Secretary for The Salvation Army of Georgia. “This national recognition reflects the exceptional leadership, professional expertise, and servant’s heart she brings to her work every day. Lanita represents The Salvation Army with distinction, and her dedication to strengthening emergency management benefits not only our organization but also the communities and emergency response partners we serve throughout Georgia and beyond.”
In her role with The Salvation Army of Georgia, Lloyd leads the division’s Emergency Disaster Services efforts, helping ensure the organization is prepared to respond when disasters and other emergencies affect individuals, families, and communities. Working alongside Salvation Army officers, staff, volunteers, and emergency management partners, she helps coordinate the resources, training, logistics, and relationships necessary to deliver effective disaster assistance.
The Salvation Army’s emergency response extends beyond the immediate aftermath of a disaster. EDS teams provide essential support to survivors and first responders through services that may include meals, hydration, emotional and spiritual care, and other forms of practical assistance. Whether responding to severe weather, major emergencies, or other community crises, Lloyd’s leadership helps position The Salvation Army to serve people in their moments of greatest need.
Under her leadership, collaboration remains central to the division’s disaster response approach. By building and maintaining relationships with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies, community organizations, and other response partners, Lloyd helps strengthen coordination and ensure The Salvation Army can contribute effectively as part of a broader emergency response network.
“Emergency management is ultimately about people—serving those whose lives have been disrupted and working together to help communities recover,” Corbitt added. “Lanita understands that responsibility deeply. She brings tremendous experience and a collaborative spirit to our mission, ensuring that The Salvation Army of Georgia is ready to respond with compassion, professionalism, and practical assistance when our neighbors need us most.”
Lloyd’s impact extends well beyond her work in Georgia. Throughout her career with IAEM, she has served in numerous leadership capacities, including president of IAEM-USA, president of IAEM-USA Region 4, and chair of several committees. She also led IAEM’s FEMA-funded Whole Community Project, supported professional certification programs, mentored emerging emergency management professionals, and represented the association in national and international initiatives.
These contributions reflect Lloyd’s commitment to advancing emergency management as a profession and strengthening the partnerships, knowledge, and professional standards that help communities become more resilient. Her work supporting certification and mentoring the next generation of emergency managers has helped cultivate professional excellence, while her leadership in collaborative initiatives has advanced the principle that effective emergency preparedness and response require the participation of an entire community.
The Elizabeth B. Armstrong Award recognizes these sustained contributions to IAEM and the broader emergency management community. For The Salvation Army of Georgia, the honor also highlights the value of the expertise and professional relationships Lloyd brings to the organization’s disaster services mission.
“Lanita’s accomplishments are a source of pride for The Salvation Army of Georgia,” Corbitt said. “We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor and are grateful for the experience, dedication, and leadership she brings to our team. Most importantly, we are thankful for the countless ways she helps us fulfill our mission of serving people in need—without discrimination—especially when disaster strikes.”
Lloyd’s recognition underscores the vital role of experienced emergency management leadership in preparing communities for uncertainty, bringing organizations together in times of crisis, and ensuring help reaches people when it matters most.
