New Year Brings New Leadership

As we wrap up 2019, we’re pleased to report that we’ll have some new faces in key leadership positions for 2020.

President
Dave Buttermore has elected to step out of the president’s position after serving in the position three separate times in his over 50 years of service to the company. Dave has led the company through many key times in the history of the organization including the construction of our main station on North Chapel Drive in 2011. Jake Ballard has taken over the president’s position. Jake has been a member since 2003 and has served as a director on the board and vice-president. Jake also currently serves as a captain and has been a lieutenant as well.

Vice-President
John Lombardo has taken over the vice-president’s position. John has been a member since 2013 and has served a couple of terms as a director on the board. As a recently retired local business owner, John brings many years of practical business management experience to the position.

Director
Jim Sumerfield Sr. elected to step out of a director’s position, and the second vacancy was opened with John Lombardo’s move to vice-president. Tim Flaherty and Tim Cole have taken on the open director positions. Tim Flaherty has been a member since 1990, and has previously served as a director. Tim Cole has been a member since 1996, and currently also serves as a lieutenant.

Secretary
Jennifer Hetzel decided to step out of the secretary’s position. Melissa Sweeney has taken over the position. Melissa joined the company in 2017 as an administrative member, but her family has a long history with the organization. Her grandfather, Clarence Hartman, served as chief from 1958 until his death in the line of duty in 1970. Her step-grandfather George Thunell is also a past chief, and a life member and her father Bill Hartman served as an active firefighter for many years. Melissa has served on the Halloween costume contest and banquet planning committees, and brings excellent organizational skills to the position.

Chief
Having served in the position since 2012, Tim Flaherty has stepped out of the chief’s position. Tim has taken on a captain’s position. Chris Ausefski moves into the chief’s position after serving in 2019 as assistant chief. Chris has been a member since 2010 and has held line officer positions of lieutenant and captain. He has also served terms as a director, vice-president, and president. Chris holds certifications of Firefighter 2, Fire Instructor 2, and Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician. He brings a lot of intelligence and level headed approach to the position.

Assistant Chief
Brett Harsh has taken over the assistant chief’s position. Brett has been a member of the company since 2004 and has over thirty years of experience in the fire service serving with departments in the Mon Valley as well as time as a live-in firefighter while attending Eastern Kentucky University. In his time with our company, he has served as a director and vice-president. He has also served in a lieutenant’s position twice, most recently in 2019. Brett brings a lot of great experience as well as a detailed-oriented nature to the position.

We thank all outgoing members for their dedicated service to the company and wish all members starting their new positions the best of luck for 2020!