Introducing Lamar Davis: Rio Texas Conference’s New Disaster Recovery Coordinator

The Rio Texas Conference is pleased to welcome Lamar Davis as our new Disaster Recovery Coordinator. Lamar joins our team at a critical moment, as communities across South and Central Texas continue recovering from the recent floods that impacted families throughout the region. His role was created in response to these ongoing needs, ensuring that the Conference is prepared for immediate relief, long-term recovery, and resiliency.

BACKGROUND: WHY THIS ROLE NOW

Reflecting on the creation of this new position, Abel Vega, who oversees disaster response for the Rio Texas Conference, shared:

Lamar davis, Rio Texas New disaster recovery coordinator

“We are grateful for the early and initial response of the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Gene Hileman, the committee members training folks in the Early Response process, and the assessment of needs of the various areas affected by disaster. Upon gaining clarity on the areas impacted, the natural next step is to employ a person to focus on the long-term work of relief and recovery. That person is Lamar Davis.”

Aftermath of july 4, 2025 flooding, Kerrville, tX.

The July 4 floods along the Guadalupe River underscored this need, particularly as losses extended beyond Hunt, Kerrville, and Kerr County into multiple regions. Abel noted that while immediate response met urgent needs, Lamar’s role was designed to “hone in on the gaps to fill, and the UMC partnering with others to do so.”

Nueva vida umc following the devastating march 2025 flooding. Pharr, TX.

A HEART FOR SERVICE AND A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE

Lamar is a lifelong academic and public servant. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dillard University in New Orleans and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. His career has spanned the fields of law, public policy, and crisis management.

He has served as Assistant Attorney General in Arkansas’ Consumer Protection Department, taught Consumer Law at the William H. Bowen School of Law, and was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff for former Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, where he helped develop the state’s continuity of operations plan and served as liaison to FEMA, the Department of Emergency Management, and the Governor’s Emergency Response Team.

Lamar also served on the Arkansas Public Service Commission, represented the state on critical infrastructure and consumer affairs committees, and held a National Security Clearance from 2009 to 2015. In 2017, while at the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), he helped launch a student cybersecurity program. Most recently, he founded Akili Solutions, LLC, advising clients in crisis management, public affairs, and strategic communications.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Lamar is also a candidate for ordained ministry, actively discerning God’s call on his life. His role with the Conference allows him to live out that call in real time—serving communities in crisis, building resilience, and embodying Christ’s love in tangible ways.

Crosstracks Church, a UMC Community opened as a shelter and helped meet immediate needs following THE July flooding in Liberty, Hill, TX.

RESPONSE VS. RECOVERY: TWO SIDES OF THE WORK

DISASTER Response: A Trained Rio Texas Early Response Team clears out a home in Burnet, TX.

When disaster strikes, the Conference responds in phases:

Disaster Response happens immediately after an event. Under the leadership of Eugene (Gene) Hileman, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Early Response Teams (ERTs) are deployed to stabilize homes and meet urgent needs. This often involves tarping roofs, mucking out flooded homes, or helping families with critical supplies. Their mission is to “be a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster.”
Disaster Recovery is the longer journey of repair and rebuilding. It involves case management, community assessments, volunteer mission teams, financial support, and resilience planning to help families find a new normal. This is where Lamar Davis steps in—to guide the Conference into the long-term work of healing and sustainability. This work is closely connected to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), the denomination’s disaster-relief arm, which provides training, funding, and support for local conferences.

Together, response and recovery ensure that the Church is present in the immediate crisis and for the long haul, walking alongside our neighbors as they rebuild their lives.

A home damaged from july 2025 flooding in Voca, TX.

STEPPING INTO DISASTER RECOVER IN RIO TEXAS

Abel describes Lamar’s primary responsibilities as overseeing the entire disaster recovery process, including grant writing, onboarding field personnel, and coordinating work in the two primary focus areas: the San Angelo region (where more than 700 homes were damaged) and the Lower Rio Grande Valley (where nearly 5,000 homes were affected during the spring flooding).

Homeowners in the Rio Grande Valley are still struggling to recover from the march flooding.

“As the recovery infrastructure comes into being, the areas of rebuild will be known,” Abel said. “This will then call for volunteer rebuild teams to be part of addressing the damage in both San Angelo and the Valley.”

Early Response Teams (ERT) work to clear out a home in Brady, TX on July 15, 2025.

In his first months, Lamar visited flood-affected areas across the Conference—including San Angelo, Brady, Kerr County, and the Rio Grande Valley—and met with churches, leaders, and families. What struck him most was the resilience of our congregations and the vulnerability of many communities.

Residents of the Rio Grande Valley share photos from the march 2025 flooding.

“The recent flood event in Texas affected every soul in the Rio Texas Conference in unique and complex ways. Although the flood waters have receded, and home repairs are underway, we now face the challenge of addressing the long-term effects of this disaster and establishing a new normal,” Lamar said.

He added: “I’m excited to serve as Disaster Recovery Coordinator for our Conference. I look forward to working with the affected communities to develop and implement strategies to ensure that we are prepared for, and can quickly recover from, this and future disaster events. Together, we will heal the wounds caused by this disaster and build a more sustainable and resilient Conference.”

A stained glass window at fumc kerrville, kerrville, tX.

VOICES FROM THE FIELD

Eugene (Gene) Hileman, who has served in disaster response for nearly two decades, highlighted the importance of this next phase:

“The initial response is about stabilizing homes—tarping roofs, cleaning out water damage, preventing further harm. But recovery requires more: case managers, community assessments, and mission teams willing to walk alongside families for the long haul.”

Members of Oak Hill UMC Helping to clear debris following the July 4 flooding.

Liz McDevitt, USDR Program Manager for UMCOR, praised the Conference’s readiness to invest in leadership so quickly:

“It’s only been a month since the flooding, and Rio Texas has already identified someone to lead recovery. That’s unique—I don’t often see that. Lamar brings both experience and steady presence, which gives me hope that this Conference will not only recover but also grow stronger through the process.”

An Early Response Team Training at FUMC Austin. Photo COURTESY of fumc AUSTIN, TX.

She added that UMCOR’s role is to provide support, training, and resources, but the real strength comes from the Conference itself: “It takes the people in the pews to engage, coordinate, and respond. We can’t do it without them.”

PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION

The Rio Texas Conference’s recovery efforts are made possible by the generosity of churches, individuals, and partners across Texas and beyond. As of August 31, 2025, a total of $1,900,494.70 has been given in support of disaster response and recovery. Much of this support has come through the United Methodist connection, joined by gifts from others who share our commitment to helping families rebuild.

Photo COURTESY of FUMC New Braunfels, New Braunfels, tX.

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) partners with these dollars to establish relief and recovery infrastructure, support case management, meet unmet needs, and provide materials for construction and rebuilding. This vital partnership ensures that every gift given is multiplied—strengthening the Conference’s ability to walk alongside families for the long haul.

LOOKING AHEAD

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey offered these words of encouragement:

“Disaster recovery is about more than repairing homes—it is about restoring lives and communities. I am grateful for the faithful work of Gene Hileman and our response teams, and I welcome Lamar Davis as he leads us into the next chapter of recovery. Together, we will walk alongside our neighbors with compassion, resilience, and hope—Adelante.”

BUCKETS BEING PACKED AT Tarrytown UMC in Austin, TX. Photo courtesy of Tarrytown UMC.

With Gene continuing to lead immediate disaster response and Lamar stepping into long-term recovery, the Rio Texas Conference is building a strong foundation for the future. Together with UMCOR, local churches, and volunteers across the region, we are preparing to recover and be resilient.

Please join us in welcoming Lamar Davis to the Rio Texas Conference. If you’d to connect with Lamar, his email address is ldavis@riotexas.org.

We invite you to be in prayer for Lamar, our disaster response teams, local churches and especially for the families and communities continuing to rebuild. As we continue to move forward Adelante, may our prayers, presence, and service be a source of hope and healing, and a witness to Christ’s love in action.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

Fore more information on the Rio Texas Annual Conference’s response to the Texas Flood Relief and Long Term Recovery efforts, visit: https://riotexas.org/texas-flood-relief

If you’d like to financially support long-term recovery efforts throughout the Rio Texas Conference, visit: GIVE ONLINE

View the Rio Texas 2025 Texas Flood Relief & Long Term Recovery response video collection on our Vimeo account here: TEXAS FLOOD RESPONSE VIDEO COLLLECTION

Author: Rev. Amanda Banda, Director of Communication for the Rio Texas Conference