Meet the three finalists who could become the next Columbia fire chief
The City of Columbia has announced three finalists to become its next fire chief, and the public is invited to interact with them during a meet-and-greet event.
The three finalists are Brian Dunn, Christopher (Chris) Riley and Clayton Farr Jr., according to a city news release. The meet and greet will take place from 5-6 p.m. Aug. 22 at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway.
City manager De’Carlon Seewood was the leader of the search committee, which utilized a Texas recruiting firm, drawing candidates from a wide pool. In the release he welcomed the candidates to the community to meet members of the public, stakeholders and other city officials.
"All of our final candidates will have a tour of our great city and time to socialize with community members,” Seewood said. “I know they will be warmly welcomed to Columbia, and we are thrilled to have these excellent candidates here."
The fire chief position came open in February when Andy Woody resigned and accepted a new job as director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy.
Dunn has served as fire chief for San Angelo, Texas, for the past 21 years. He also served in other positions in the San Angelo Fire Department, including captain-safety officer, lieutenant, driver and firefighter, totaling more than 32 years of public fire service experience.
Dunn holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in management, both from Angelo State University. He earned a certified public manager designation from Texas State University and is credentialed as a chief fire officer from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Riley served as fire chief in Pueblo and Colorado Springs in Colorado. He has more than 40 years of experience in fire services, including serving on the branch council/board of directors for the Institute of Fire Engineers (USA Branch) and working as a consultant to FirstNet, a broadband public safety network.
Riley holds a bachelor’s degree in vocational education and a master’s degree in emergency services administration, both from California State University, and completed the Public Safety Leadership Program at the University of Denver.
Farr Jr. has served the Columbia Fire Department in numerous roles since 1998, including as a firefighter, assistant fire marshal, lieutenant, battalion chief, division chief/shift commander and currently as assistant fire chief, and is the public information officer for the department.
Farr Jr. has also worked as a fire investigator for the Columbia Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the Southern Boone County Fire Protection District. He has 27 years of experience in fire services.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Meet the three finalists who could become the next Columbia fire chief
