John J. McNeil
Prior positions: Private consultant with Rhodes Consultants in Conyers, 2010-present; director of Rockdale County's emergency services department for one year; deputy fire chief for City of Atlanta from 2005-2007
Total years of fire experience: 30 years
Highest level of education: Master's degree in leadership from Southwestern College in Wichita, Kan
John J. McNeil has been appointed fire chief for Covington, City Manager Steve Horton confirmed Monday night.
McNeil worked with the City of Atlanta Fire-Rescue Department for 28 years, including two years as deputy fire chief of the department's technical services division. He also served a year as director of Rockdale County's emergency services department.
McNeil will take over for Chief Don Floyd, who announced his retirement in January. They will work together until Floyd leaves office June 15. Floyd has accrued enough compensation time that he will not officially retire until Dec. 31.
McNeil was selected over two other finalists, including Winston D. Williams who spent 30 years with the Chicago Fire Department and in-house candidate Covington Fire Marshal David Carter.
