Fairfax, Va., October 29, 2006 -- Long-time International Association of Fire Chiefs Executive Director Garry Briese announced his resignation today during the Association's Strategic Planning and Leadership Forum in McLean, VA. Briese, association executive director since 1985 told the audience of more than 200 IAFC leaders that he is taking a position in the private sector in February, 2007.
Briese, known for his emphasis on importance of family will be relocating to Colorado. "I want to be able to continue with my career and also be able to have the family closeness that I have seen too many others postpone until they have neither the time nor the ability to enjoy," said Briese. "There is never a good time to resign from a position that you love, but I believe that the IAFC has never been in better shape with our staff, our programs, our finances, our members, our board of directors and our elected leadership."
"The appreciation I have for what he has done not only for the IAFC, but the entire fire service as a whole over the past 22 years, is beyond words," said IAFC President Chief Jim Harmes. "The board has discussed the adoption of a CEO transition plan that includes a national search for a new executive director, which will begin in near future."
