12/05/2025
In Memoriam: A Legacy of Service from Captain (NY) "Johnny" Velez, Founding Hazmat Academy Commandant
The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Hazmat Academy will forever stand as a testament to the dedication and expertise of its Founding Commandant, Captain (NY) "Johnny" Velez. Captain Velez, a revered scholar-practitioner, dedicated his life to service, with a professional footprint spanning two decades of military duty, over 25 years in law and government, and an unwavering commitment to emergency management (EM). He led the way in preparing the next generation of hazard response professionals, and his legacy of selfless service will endure.
Captain Velez’s pivotal role as Founding Commandant was the culmination of a truly distinguished career built on dual foundations: military precision and real-world disaster response. His twenty years of service between the U.S. Air Force (including time as an Air Reserve Technician administrating an Aeromedical Patient Staging Squadron) and the New York Guard provided him with invaluable experience in planning, administration, and mission ex*****on. As a Captain and Area Command S3 in the New York Guard, he was responsible for operational, mission, and training planning—a skillset that defined his immense contributions to the SGAUS training curriculum.
His profound passion for emergency management was demonstrated by his direct involvement in some of the most critical events in New York history. During Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene, he managed a vital Hurricane Shelter/Evacuation Center. He later worked Superstorm Sandy, where he provided essential logistics support, sourcing, coordinating, and dispensing critical equipment for the response and initial recovery efforts. These experiences were not merely lines on a resume; they were the bedrock of practical knowledge he imparted to every student in the Hazmat Academy.
A lifelong scholar, Captain Velez was an Adjunct Professor of Emergency and Disaster Management at Metropolitan College of New York since 2009, and through previous teaching roles, he mentored countless students. He was deeply committed to using his Master's degree in EM and extensive experience to make a positive contribution to the EM community, driven by his conviction that he would "make a difference in people’s lives."
From managing patient staging in the Air Force to overseeing crisis logistics for NYC, and eventually establishing and leading the SGAUS Hazmat Academy, Captain Velez’s career stands as a powerful example of communication, training, and resilience in service. The Hazmat Academy flourished under his foundational leadership, and its continued success will honor his memory.
We honor the life and mourn the passing of Captain (NY) "Johnny" Velez. His profound dedication to service, education, and upholding the highest standards of readiness in hazard materials response will continue to inspire all who knew him.
