ATU’s DaBreo Honored by Queen Elizabeth II

Arkansas Tech University alumna Sharleen DaBreo has earned the title Member of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her emergency management leadership in the British Virgin Islands.

Gov. Gus Jaspert presented DaBreo with the honor on behalf of the queen during a Tuesday, Dec. 4, investiture ceremony at Government House on the island of Tortola.

DaBreo earned the Bachelor of Science degree in emergency administration and management from ATU in 2001.

She has been actively involved in emergency mitigation, preparedness and recovery since joining the British Virgin Islands Department of Disaster Management in 1994.

In April 2015, DaBreo’s leadership allowed the British Virgin Islands to become the first territory outside of the United States and Canada to be granted international accreditation for its disaster management program from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP).

Her more than two decades of experience were integral in helping the region withstand and recover from two Category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, in 2017.

Learn more about the ATU Department of Emergency Management.