Major General (Ret.) James H. Bassham is the Director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and Chairman of the CUSEC Board of Directors. Major General Bassham served as the Assistant Adjutant General,Air, Tennessee National Guard from 1995 to 2002. The TEMA Director is charged with the responsibility for insuring the state and its local governments are prepared to deal with the disasters and emergencies that affect the state and its citizens. In addition to the responsibility to help insure that the citizens of Tennessee are as prepared to deal with emergencies and their consequences as possible.

The Board of Directors of CUSEC are the heads of the Emergency Management Agencies of the eight member states.  The Board meets quarterly to maintain the shape and direction of CUSEC.