Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20 Team Leader Spotlight: Andrew Burns

Andrew Burns, from Canal Winchester, Ohio, is the field team leader for Hickory 1 in NCCC FEMA Corps’ Class 20. He arrived in Vinton on July 22, 2013, to start his 11-month service term leading a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Hickory 1 is made up of 11 people from across the country and they will serve together on emergency management projects, performing administrative and logistical support for FEMA.

This is Andrew’s second term of service with FEMA Corps. Last year he served as the field team leader for Hickory 1 at the Vinton campus. “After being part of the inaugural class of FEMA Corps I wanted to do another year to see how the program changed, to use my knowledge to help the program grow, to learn more about the emergency management field and [experience] personal and professional growth,” he said.

Andrew brings a strong foundation in leadership with him to the team leader position. “I am an Eagle Scout so I have been training to be a leader in communities since an early age,” he says. He continued to develop his leadership skills in college and last year when he served as a team leader for class 19 FEMA Corps.

Andrew graduated from Canal Winchester High School in 2008 and the University of Kentucky in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in community communication and leadership development. After finishing his second term of service he plans to work in the emergency management field.

Some fun facts about Andrew:

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up? A trash collector

Q: What song best describes you? “Turn the Page” by Bob Seger

Q: What will be your first words of advice for your team members? This will be a life-changing adventure

Q: What is one place in the world that you really, really wish you could visit? New Zealand

Q: If you could come back as an animal which animal would it be and why? My spirit animal is a bear

Q: If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? Teleport so I would never be late

Q: Could you give us one reason to join AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps? You will be tested and grow on a professional and person level