(Lawrenceville, Ga., May 21, 2013) – County Administrator Glenn Stephens has named Casey Snyder as Gwinnett’s new fire chief effective May 25. Snyder, a 24-year veteran of the County’s Fire and Emergency Services Department, replaces Bill Myers, who retires on May 24 after serving 30 years with the County. Commissioners ratified Snyder’s contract today.

Stephens said, “Casey Snyder is the ideal choice to lead Fire and Emergency Services. Like his predecessor, Bill Myers, whom we will miss greatly, Casey started as a firefighter with the department and took on increasing responsibility with each step in his career. I am impressed with Casey’s devotion to the organization as reflected in his balanced, achievement-oriented management style of open communication and shared leadership. Casey is a person of strong character who has dedicated himself to public service and will be a valuable addition to our senior management team.”

Snyder, who will oversee the department of 800 employees, began his career in emergency services in 1984. In 1989, he started with the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services as a firefighter and rose through the ranks to his most recent role as assistant chief of operations.

Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “Bill Myers has been one of Gwinnett County’s greatest assets, and we will miss him. At the same time, I am thankful for a succession plan that provides qualified candidates like Casey Snyder for senior leadership positions.”

Snyder, who holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee, also earned an associate of fire science from Perimeter College and a BS in Management from Shorter University. In addition, he is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program. Casey lives in Gwinnett County with his wife, Beverly, and daughter, Ryley.