Chief, Office of Access and Functional Needs
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Mather, California, United States
Luis “Vance” Taylor is the Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Vance leads the team responsible for ensuring the needs of individuals with disabilities and persons with access or functional considerations are identified and integrated into the State's emergency management systems before, during, and after disasters. Vance was appointed by President Biden to serve as a member of the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC) in 2022. As a member of the NIAC, Vance advises the White House on how to reduce physical and cyber risks and how to improve the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure sectors. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Vance was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child and uses a power wheelchair. He has worked in Washington, D.C. as an advisor for two different members of Congress, directed security policy at a national water association, and been a principal at a ranked homeland security and emergency management consulting firm. Vance is a nationally recognized public speaker and advocate for individuals with disabilities. Vance has a Master’s degree in homeland security from the University of Connecticut and an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University. He is married to his sweetheart, Casey, and they have two wonderful daughters.
Bridging the Gaps: Lessons from the Palisades and Eaton Fires for AFN Integration
Monday, November 9, 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM PST