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Former Conway police chief to lead ADEM The governor announced May 31 that A.J. Gary would take the helm July 1
With more than 35 years in law enforcement and security preparedness, A.J. Gary of Conway will become ADEM director starting July 1, 2016.
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overnor Asa Hutchinson announced May 31 A.J. Gary, former chief of police for the Conway Police Department, as the new director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). He will replace current Director David Maxwell, who is set to retire at the end of June. Gary’s start date will be July 1, 2016. “I am pleased to announce A.J. Gary as the next director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management,” the governor said in a news release. “His background, knowledge and experience make him an excellent fit for the job. I also want to recognize and thank Director Maxwell for his leadership and service over the years in helping to ensure the safety of all Arkansans. A.J. will be a great addition to an already stellar team, and I am confident our state won’t miss a beat with him at the helm.” Gary said in the same news release that he is “honored and humbled” to be selected. “I want to thank David Maxwell for his many years of service
to ADEM. I have had the pleasure of working with David over the years and wish him and his family well as he enters retirement. I look forward to working with the team members of ADEM as together we serve the citizens of the State of Arkansas. I am excited about the challenges ahead and look forward to this great opportunity to serve others.” Gary has worked in law enforcement and security preparedness for more than 35 years. He began his law enforcement career in 1982 with the Conway Arkansas Police Department and graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1990, becoming the first Conway officer selected to attend the academy. He has held positions in all areas of law enforcement, including SWAT, narcotics and criminal investigations. In 2002, Gary retired from the Conway Police Department after 20 years of service — at the rank of major, patrol division commander — to become chief security administrator for Air Transport International LLC, an international FAA Part 121 air carrier. In 2007, Gary returned to the Conway Police Department as chief of police. He also has been the director of security/compliance for the State of Arkansas, Office of Arkansas Lottery since 2015. Gary holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Central Baptist College and a master’s in public administration from Arkansas State University. He was appointed to the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board in 2011 by Gov. Mike Beebe and reappointed to the board in 2015 by Gov. Hutchinson. In September 2015, Gary was appointed to the Supreme Court Committee on Security and Emergency Preparedness. He is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, Police Executive Research Forum and Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP). He currently serves as the representative at large of the AACP executive board, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) State of Arkansas representative and serves on the board of directors for the Arkansas Crises Response Team. He has served on the board of directors for the Cargo Airline Association and Security Committee of the National Air Carriers Association in Washington D.C. In 2005 he assisted on the Business Roundtable Security Task Force Subcommittee on Port and Supply Chain Security. Gary lives in Conway with his wife, Kim. He has three children and one grandchild. — Photo and information courtesy of the Arkansas Governor’s Office
75 Counties - One Voice COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2016
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