Politics & Government
Montco Names New Public Safety Director
20-year U.S. Army vet and longtime local public servant Michael Vest has been named to the role.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Montgomery County officials announced on Monday the appointment of a new head of the public safety department.
Michael O. Vest will succeed Thomas Sullivan, the former director who served the county for the past 18 years. Vest has been the interim director of the department since Jan. 6.
“As (Vest) has done for the past several months, I am confident that through his leadership, he will continue to be a valuable asset to the County in providing the highest level of public safety for our residents and visitors," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in Norristownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Vest spent 20 years in the U.S. Army in the intelligence and aviation fields, including two combat tours in Iraq, before earning a Masters degree in Emergency Services. His duties while serving included interpreter, strategic debriefer, liaison officer, flight operations officer, battle captain, and instructor pilot, the county said.
He was first hired by the county in 2009 and has been the deputy director of public safety for the last nine years.
Find out what's happening in Norristownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.