John Stevens, CCSO undersheriff, hired as new Cascade County emergency manager
The Board of Cascade County Commissioners announces has hired John Stevens as the new Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator/Emergency Manager.
Stevens will transition to the DES office from his role as undersheriff at the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.
Stevens begins duties at the DES office immediately and will officially retire from the Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 12, 2018. He will assume the position full-time on Jan. 15, 2018.
The DES manager position has been vacant for months, since Vince Kolar retired in June.
Stevens has been with CCSO for 20 years and served 10 years in the U.S. Navy.
Sheriff Bob Edwards said Stevens rose quickly through the CCSO ranks and also served as a patrol supervisor, training supervisor and was assigned to the Central Montana Drug Task Force for six years and for five of those years, served as the commander/supervisor.
“I am very proud of my years working at the Sheriff’s office serving the citizens of Cascade County, and I am very excited to start a new career serving Cascade County as the DES Coordinator,” Stevens said in a release. “I believe my experience working with first responders during my time in the Sheriff’s office has provided me first-hand knowledge about several aspects of the DES role.”
Edwards said he is working to fill the undersheriff position and hopes to have more information after the holidays.
Cascade County Commission Chairman Jim Larson said, “the commission is excited to have John in this position. John knows the county well and brings a wealth of experience to the job. We know he will work seamlessly with the city and state DES coordinators, along with our dedicated volunteer fire department and quick response teams, to protect the citizens within the city and county.”
Edwards said that Stevens was a co-worker and a friend and wished him the best in the new job.
“He has been by my side through some very difficult times professionally and personally,” Edwards said. “We have laughed together, cried together and made some very challenging decisions together.”
