Call for Candidates: Executive Board Election

Dear CalChiefs Members,

We hope this email finds you well. As we approach the upcoming Executive Board Election, the California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs) is seeking dedicated individuals to fill important leadership positions within our organization. We encourage qualified candidates to step forward and make a difference in shaping the future of CalChiefs.

We currently have two positions open for election: President-Elect and Southern Division Director. Fire Chief Mark Heine (Sonoma County FPD), our current President-Elect, will be transitioning into the President position, leaving a vacancy that needs to be filled. Additionally, the Southern Division Director position is also up for election in 2023. Please note that, according to our By-Laws, candidates for both these positions must come from our Southern Division.

To be considered for office, all candidates must meet the eligibility requirements specified in our Constitution and By-Laws. We kindly ask interested individuals to review the constitution and bylaws references provided below.

• Constitution References 
• Bylaws References 

Our current CalChiefs Board of Directors is as follows:

Executive Board

• President: Chris Tubbs, Southern Marin Fire District
• President-Elect: Mark Heine, Sonoma County Fire District*
• Past President: Ray Gayk, Ontario Fire Department
• Treasurer: Ted Peterson, Southern Marin Fire District
• Northern Division Director: Steve Akre, Sonoma Valley Fire District
• Southern Division Director: Bernard Molloy II, Murrieta Fire and Rescue*
• Legislative Director: John Binaski, Clovis Fire Department
• Member-at-Large: Brian Fennessy, Orange County Fire Authority
• WFCA Calif Director: Ray Gayk, Ontario Fire Department
  

Board Members

• Northern Area Director 1: Jerrod Vanlandingham, Redding Fire Department
• Northern Area Director 2: Rick Bartee, Roseville Fire Department
• Northern Area Director 3: Mo Johnson, El Dorado Hills Fire District
• Northern Area Director 4: Greg Tarascou, Sanger Fire Department
• Northern Area Director 5: Andres Avila, Anderson Valley Fire Department
• Northern Area Director 6: Scott Westrope, Santa Rosa Fire Department
• Northern Area Director 7: Vacant
• Southern Area Director 1: Brian Fallon, Lompoc Fire Department
• Southern Area Director 2: Adam Loeser, Fullerton-Brea Fire Department
• Southern Area Director 3: Nathan Cooke, Chino Valley Fire District
• Southern Area Director 4: Don Butz, Lakeside Fire District
• Southern Area Director 5: John Frando, Bakersfield Fire Department
  

If you are interested in becoming a candidate, please submit the following information to jeff.meston@calchief.org no later than June 14, 2023, at 1700 hours:

• Name, address, email, contact number, agency, and rank.
• Position you are seeking.
• Short resume/bio.
• Brief description of why you are seeking this CalChiefs position and how you would enhance the Executive Board and Association.
• Provide a letter from the Manager or Board of Directors giving approval to hold office in the Association.
  

After the application deadline, all received applications will be verified against the eligibility requirements, and a voting ballot will be created.

Election and Voting Process/Timeline

• June 14, 2023: Applications received will be verified, and the voting ballot will be created.
• July 5, 2023: Electronic voting will open, and eligible members will receive an email with a link to the electronic ballot.
• July 19, 2023: Deadline to submit electronic ballots.
• Week of July 25, 2023: Ballots tallied, and results declared by the Executive Director, successful candidates notified, and election results posted on the CalChiefs website.
• October 17, 2023: Swearing in at CalChiefs Annual Conference in Ontario.
  

Sincerely,

California Fire Chiefs Association