We’ve got some new leaders here at the City of Orem
The following is an email from City Manager Jamie Davidson:
Just a brief update as to a few leadership changes that will be taking place shortly in three specific city departments, namely Fire, Police and Recreation. While two of the noted three changes are temporary, I thought it appropriate to advise all employees of the changes given the interaction we have with each other on a regular basis.
First, after an extensive recruitment effort, I am pleased to welcome Marc Sanderson back to the City of Orem as Fire Chief. Marc is excited for the new challenge in leading our Fire Department Forward. His name may sound familiar to some of you as he previously worked for Orem Fire as a firefighter/paramedic. He has previous experience as a fire chief with Pleasant Grove City and comes to us having recently served as a leader with Intermountain Healthcare’s Life Flight program. An avid runner, we all look forward to trying to “keep up” with Marc and the department as they continue to do great things in the fire service!
Second, after 31 years of service in law enforcement, this week we say thank you and best wishes to Police Chief Gary Giles as he retires from the City of Orem. Gary’s influence in the department and community will leave a lasting impression and we appreciate his contributions to the City of Orem for 29 of his 31-year career. A recruitment to hire Orem’s next police chief is currently underway. In the short term, Recreation Director Karl Hirst has been appointed Interim Police Chief. Karl is no stranger to the Orem Police Department having served as a Police Captain with the Orem Department of Public Safety before his retirement from law enforcement in 2006 and assuming leadership of the city’s Recreation Department.
Finally, with the announced changes in Police, a change is also needed in Recreation in the short term. With 24 years of service with Orem’s Recreation Department, Debbie Boone has been appointed as the city’s Interim Recreation Director. She assumes responsibility at a time where there is a lot happening in the department and while Karl will continue to be a part of the Fitness Center construction effort, I have confidence in Debbie and her new responsibilities to lead the department forward.
Even though much of 2020 has been focused on COVID-19, please know that other things are happening in the city as well! Special thanks are extended to those noted in this message and their willingness to serve and lead. In addition, I would ask that all support and lend a hand to the Fire, Police and Recreation Departments as they work through this period of transition.
As always, if you have questions and/or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 801-229-7035 (office), 801-836-1005 (mobile/text) or email at jpdavidson@orem.org
Have a safe and healthy Monday,
Jamie