Dan Reese

A City Council member is resigning to accept an appointment that will lead him to become Windcrest’s next fire chief.

Colleagues voted Monday to formally accept the resignation of Dan Reese, who was first elected to council Place 2 in 2004 and was re-elected last year. Council then appointed Mary Hatch as the Place 2 representative to fill out a term that expires next May. Council also appointed Jim Tremblay mayor pro tem, replacing Reese in that role.

A resident of more than eight years, Reese is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who works as a combat systems instructor at Randolph Air Force Base. Reese has spent five years with Windcrest Volunteer Fire and Rescue, which was created in 1970. He is not seeking re-election to the presidency of the local firefighters association.

Reese will replace Tom Winn, who plans to retire in January after more than 36 years of service with Windcrest VFR - 17 of those years as its chief. Reese said he will spend the rest of this calendar year shadowing Winn on the job.

“It’s an honor. Tom supported my putting in my resume,” Reese said about the appointment. It’s not like he’s going away. He just won’t be fire chief come January. But he’ll continue to support the fire department. When people think of the Windcrest Volunteer Fire Department, they think of Tom Winn because he’s been here for so long.”

Reese said he must gather more experience in other areas to direct a fire protection agency, but feels he offered the job overall administrative skills.

“I clearly have some places to work on, but I’ve got emergency management and training under my belt and had similar work as an Air Force officer. I’ve had a chance to lead,” he added. “Other applicants had more firefighting experience, but with this position it’s more than that.”

City Administrator Ronnie Cain headed a task force that included volunteer firefighters and Mayor Jack Leonhardt, reviewing 18 total resumes. Cain decided on Reese by early September, a decision that was very well received by the firefighters’ association.

“I picked Dan for his people and leadership skills. He has an excitement for the fire department and has put in a lot of hours. We feel he’s the type of individual that will perpetuate the nature of the volunteer fire department,” Cain said.

“Frankly, I thought you were a shoo-in as the next mayor, but I’d rather have you as the next fire chief,” Winn joked with Reese at Monday’s council meeting.

As Reese’s replacement on council, Hatch has served the past year with the Windcrest Charter Commission, which drafted a proposed home-rule charter that local voters will consider at the polls this November.

Hatch has also worked as an elections judge. Her husband, Jim, has been serving on the Windcrest Economic Development Corp. board. Council members recommended to Leonhardt names of possible replacements for Reese, but Mary Hatch’s “name was most prominent,” the mayor recalled.

“I think Mary is an excellent choice and will serve the city well,” Reese said before departing his council seat.