Mark Bennett

My name is Mark J. Bennett and I am a 20-yr veteran of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department. During my career I have worked in many areas of the department which has provided me with the insight necessary to offer valuable input on many of the tough issues addressed by your AOC Board.

Running for a second term as an elected AOC Board Member, I have found my experiences to be challenging yet rewarding and enlightening. In the past 2 years as a Board member, I have been involved in several special projects. Most prominent has been my involvement in the development of the Chief Officers Handbook which provides key and critical benefit information to our managers.

Designated by the AOC President, I am the main point of contact for members who require assistance in analyzing pay and benefits issues. Of equal importance, I have been appointed as the lead Board member in researching the Association's interest in the "Political Action Committee" (PAC).

Bob LaFever

My name is Bob LaFever. I am a 33-year veteran of the fire service, with service to both the Los Angeles County and Hawthorne Fire Departments.

I presently serve as Assistant 6 with an office in Huntington Park and also serving 6 other cities in the Division. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Service Management from the University of Redlands and hold a California State Fire Service Master Instructors Certificate. I posses a Community College teaching credential and I am a certified Type 2 Safety Officer.

In the past 2 years while serving on the AOC Board,
I have held a post as a Director and as a Board Officer. My present responsibilities are those of AOC Treasurer. The experience of participating as an AOC Board member has provided me a great opportunity to express my ideas and the ideas of those I represent openly to the departments Executive Officers.

As I reach the latter years of my service to the department I find that I’am less concerned about making favorable impressions with our hierarchy by mincing words and dancing around the issues and more concerned about pressing for action and real solutions.

John B. Tripp

To become a member of the AOC, Executive Board is both an honor and a privilege. An honor to serve the leaders of the finest Foresters, Lifeguards and Firefighters in the country. A privilege to uphold the respect and attention the finest Chief Officers in the nation deserve.

These times are exciting and challenging. As a Department, we are still committed to do more with less. This easily translates to more of a burden for the chief officers. More work, less compensation, and more time away from the family. This commitment also rides on the back of our chief officers as day in, day out they are expected to be “carrying the flag” and instilling the follow ship to the Department mission, vision and values.

As a group of professionals, WE have always been recognized, chosen, sought out, or consulted, for our expertise. Not just in the county, the state, or even the nation, but the world! Recognition, pride, and unity are now more important than ever. With the expectations placed on us growing, it is harder to swallow that the recognition and compensation are shrinking. As 19 year veteran of the Department, I will commit to the honor and privilege that comes with being an AOC executive board member.

Gary Burden

I have been a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 28 years. I spent my time as a Firefighter Paramedic in Battalion 13, as a Firefighter Specialist in the camps and a Fire Captain in the Central Ops Region for 18 years. I was promoted to BC in February of 2003 and was assigned to Battalion 14 where I spent 14 months and I am presently assigned to Battalion 6.

I have been married to Jean for 28 years and have 3 great children, Bridget (37), Chantel (25) & AJ (20). After running the card file in Battalion14, I have become very interested in working with the members and the Board to create a better staffing document.

Like many of us that are in the twilight of our careers, I am extremely interested in making the Battalion Chief rank a much more desired promotional opportunity, especially in the area of benefits and retirement. I consider myself a team player and will work hard to assist the Board in taking the member messages to the Fire Chief.

No statement provided.

John Todd

My name is John Todd and I am an Assistant Chief with the Forestry Division. I have been in my current position for eight years and, as such, I have a good understanding of many of the issues that the Chief Officers of the Los Angeles County Fire Department face as they go about their daily business.

I would like to thank the current and past Board members of the Association of Chiefs for their efforts to enhance the working environment of the Chief Officers who work for our Department. I am honored to be nominated for a Board position. If elected, I will strive to better understand and improve the working environment for all Chief Officers that serve our Department. In addition, I hope to provide representation for the issues that face the Section Managers and Chiefs in the many specialized Divisions that provide critical support and leadership for the Fire Department.

Ron Watson

My name is Ron Watson and I am a 20-year veteran of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department. Elected in 2002, I am completing my first term as an elected member of your AOC.

During my first year, I served as the Board’s Secretary. Now in my second year, I serve as the Board’s Vice-President. As is customary with Board service, I have taken on the responsibility of several “special committees” or special projects. A primary responsibility I have assumed for the past 2 years is that of Staffing Director. I have primary responsibility for maintaining and revising our Management Staffing Procedures.

I have found great accomplishment in creating and launching the Official Association Of Chiefs web site which will allow our members to communicate freely and openly with one another. Currently, I am the principal AOC Board member tasked with crafting, preparing and writing a detailed Professional Development Incentive Proposal (PDIP). The PDIP is intended to recognize and provide monetary incentive for member achievement in both technical training and formal education.