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The Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation (YLD) is recognizing nearly two decades of service from two longtime members of its Scholarship and Awards Committee while welcoming two new leaders who will help guide the foundation’s mission of developing future fire and emergency services leaders. The committee transition was announced by Scholarship and Awards Committee Chair Greg Noll.

After 18 years of service, committee members Rick Emery and Ty Dickerson are stepping down as they transition into retirement. Emery and Dickerson joined the committee during the development of the Chief John M. Eversole Endowment and played an important role in helping establish the program and guide the foundation’s scholarship and awards process over nearly two decades.

“The Yvorra Foundation relies heavily on dedicated volunteers who believe in developing the next generation of fire and emergency services leaders,” said Michael Hildebrand, President of the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation. “Rick and Ty provided steady leadership and valuable insight for many years, and we are grateful for their service to the foundation.”

Replacing Emery on the committee will be Capt. Joe Flick of the Milwaukee Fire Department. Flick is a past YLD award recipient and is widely regarded as a rising leader within the fire service. His appointment reflects a recommendation by the YLD Board of Directors to continue bringing emerging leaders into the organization as founding members transition into retirement and the foundation prepares for its future.

Joining the committee as the second new member is Chuck Thomas, who has longstanding ties to the legacy of Deputy Fire Chief James G. Yvorra. Thomas worked alongside Yvorra during his career with the Prince George’s County Fire Department before later retiring from the department and beginning a second career as a Captain for a major airline. The Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation continues to rely on the commitment and expertise of volunteers to identify and support emerging leaders across the fire and emergency services profession.