EFO Election

2026 EFO Board Candidates

• Jim Smith - Eastern Division

  Fire and EMS Chief, Radnor Township Fire and Rescue Department, Pennsylvania

  

  James P. Smith, Jr. is the Fire and EMS Chief for Radnor Township, Pennsylvania. He is a 2024 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program. Chief Smith is a second-generation firefighter and is extremely proud to be one of the handful of legacy graduates of the EFO program. His father, Deputy Chief Jim Smith Sr. (Philadelphia Fire Department) graduated from the EFO program in 1990.

  Chief Smith started his career in 1994 as a firefighter with the Ocean City (NJ) Department of Fire and Rescue Services. He served for 30 years in Ocean City, the last seven as fire chief. Chief Smith earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety Administration from Neumann University and is a graduate of Rutgers University’s Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. He received the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) in 2024.

  I am pursuing this position as I want to play a role in the continued growth and success of the EFO program. Recently, I participated in the EFO application review process. I was able to better understand the points that are valued by the decision makers at the NFA and the IAFC. I look forward to offering tips to prospective EFO applicants. Some may have all the components while others may need some encouragement to develop and apply. The application process is extremely competitive, and applicants cannot afford to lack any attention to detail.

  I am a big advocate for attendance at the NFA. The initial goal is to get students on campus and understand the experience is different than any other fire service training they may attend. The ultimate goal is for that student to grow their professional development and perhaps one day be a graduate of the EFO program.

• Darryl Jones - Eastern Division

  Fire Chief, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, Pennsylvania

  

  Chief Darryl Jones began his career with the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau on July 9, 2007. Prior to joining the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau, He served with the Aliquippa Fire Department for 20 years, 12 of those years as Fire Chief. As the Fire Chief, he is responsible for over 700 uniformed personnel and all the operations of the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau. He also serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Pittsburgh.

  Chief Jones is committed to the safety and training of Pittsburgh firefighters, as well as the citizens of Pittsburgh. Under his leadership, and in cooperation with the American Red Cross, the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau has expanded its Free Smoke Detector Program. The Pittsburgh Fire Bureau has 100% of its personnel certified to Firefighter II. Chief Jones started initiatives to modernize firefighters’ personal protective equipment, and the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau’s apparatus. Because of fire safety education, improved firefighter training, and the upgrading of equipment, as well as apparatus, the ISO rating for the City of Pittsburgh improved from a Class 4 to a Class 1 fire department.

  Chief Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Carlow University, a Masters of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Safety from Capella University. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Crisis Management and Business Resiliency course. Chief Jones holds several certifications including Chief Fire Officer Designation through the Commission on Professional Credentialing, Fire Officer IV, Fire Instructor III.

  Chief Jones is an instructor who teaches Public Administration, Emergency Management, Fire Science, and Leadership courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• Benjamin “Ben” Stone - Southeastern Division

  Retired, Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., Florida

  

  Dr. Ben Stone is a Chief Fire Officer and senior fire service leader with more than 30 years of experience in executive leadership, professional development, and organizational ethics. He currently serves as the CPC Program Coordinator with the Center for Public Safety Excellence and as a professor with Columbia Southern University and the National Fire Academy. His work focuses on leadership ethics, organizational culture, decision-making under pressure, and the preparation of future executive leaders.

  Dr. Stone remains actively engaged in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of the Executive Fire Officer community through national service, mentoring, credentialing, and executive education. He is currently working with the National Fire Academy and the Executive Fire Officer Section to help rebuild and strengthen professional relationships between the United States Fire Administration and the Center for Public Safety Excellence. This effort emphasizes collaboration, alignment, and trust in support of leadership development and professional standards across the fire service.

  As a candidate for Southeastern Division Director, Dr. Stone’s platform centers on strengthening member engagement, supporting leadership succession, and ensuring the EFO Section remains relevant and accessible across the region. The Southeastern Division includes urban, suburban, rural, and combination departments that face shared challenges related to workforce development, cultural resilience, and ethical leadership. He is committed to promoting collaboration across jurisdictions while elevating best practices in executive leadership.

  Dr. Stone brings a systems-based perspective grounded in accountability, transparency, and service to both the profession and the public. He is in good standing with the IAFC and the Executive Fire Officer Leadership Section and is committed to serving with consistency, integrity, and long-term focus.

• James D Lea - Southeastern Division

  Battalion Chief, Spartanburg City Fire Department, South Carolina

  

  James D. Lea is a veteran fire service executive, educator, and dedicated public servant seeking election as Southeastern Director for the Executive Fire Officers (EFO) Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. With more than four decades of experience in emergency response, executive leadership, and professional education, Chief Lea is committed to advancing the mission of the EFO Section and strengthening executive leadership throughout the Southeast.

  Chief Lea currently serves as a Battalion Chief with the City of Spartanburg Fire Department, where he is responsible for commanding complex emergency incidents, supervising company officers, and overseeing staffing, budgeting, training, and safety initiatives. In addition, he serves as a Resident Fire Instructor with the South Carolina Fire Academy, providing instruction at the firefighter, officer, and command levels. His commitment to education reflects a firm belief that effective leadership is fundamental to organizational excellence and firefighter safety.

  A graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, Chief Lea holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Administration and is pursuing graduate studies in Fire Administration. His professional contributions include participation in national fire service research initiatives with NIST and UL, focusing on modern fire behavior, suppression tactics, and firefighter survivability.

  Beyond his professional responsibilities, Chief Lea is actively engaged in community service. He serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of The Charles Lea Center, where he has chaired multiple committees and currently provides leadership for the $7.4 million Lake Blalock Nature Preserve Project, supporting individuals with disabilities through sustainable community development.

  As Southeastern Director, Chief Lea is committed to fostering member engagement, supporting EFO candidates and graduates, and promoting effective communication across the region. He is honored to offer his experience and service in support of the EFO Section and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

• Chris Shaver - Southeastern Division

  Deputy Chief, Augusta County Fire Rescue, Virginia

  

  With over two decades of experience in emergency services, I pride myself on being a progressive and mission-focused fire service leader. Currently serving as Deputy Chief of Administration for Augusta County Fire-Rescue in Virginia, I oversee infrastructure, fleet management, capital planning, hiring and promotional processes, communication equipment and needs, logistics, and fiscal stewardship for a growing all-hazards organization. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a commitment to organizational excellence, strategic planning, and responsible resource management.

  My leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, professional development, and data-informed decision-making. Over my career, I have played a key role in advancing long-term capital replacement planning, improving operational readiness, and aligning budget development with strategic priorities. My experience working closely with county administration and finance has strengthened his ability to advocate effectively for sustainable funding and responsible governance.

  A strong supporter of the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program and lifelong learning, I value the role of research, innovation, and professional networking in advancing the fire service. I am committed to fostering engagement within the Southeastern Division and ensuring that EFO members have meaningful opportunities to connect, share research, and influence the future of the profession.

  As a candidate for IAFC Southeastern Division EFO Section Director, I seek to promote collaboration across jurisdictions, elevate emerging leaders, and strengthen the voice of EFO members within the IAFC. My experience, integrity, and dedication to service position him to represent the Division with professionalism and vision. I am excited for the opportunity to learn from and grow with others in the section, the Southeastern Division, and the IAFC.

• Carl Roberts - Southeastern Division

  Assistant Chief, Spotsylvania Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management, Virginia

  

  My name is Carl Roberts, and I am interested in representing the Southeastern Fire Chiefs Association as a member of the IAFC Executive Fire Officers Section. I have been in the career fire service since 2001. I am currently an Assistant Chief with Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management (Virginia). In my current position, I oversee the department's Training Division. I have been a member of the IAFC since 2024 and a member of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association since 2018..

  I graduated from the NFA's Executive Fire Officer program on November 3, 2023. I was among the group who were selected to enter the legacy program and then placed on hold through the revision of the program. My time in the program included insight into the difficulties of updating a nationally recognized professional program while still achieving accreditation. Since graduation, I have transferred my EFO classes into 15 graduate-level credits at Liberty University..

  Two recent highlights of my fire service career are centered on program development. r served with two others to develop an officer development program for my organization. This program has been delivered department-wide for 7 consecutive years and continues today. The program was built to address the individual challenges for the acting officer, newly promoted officer, and the current officer. I was selected to serve on a curriculum committee for the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to establish a new accredited Incident Safety Officer program. This committee work included reviewing textbooks, ensuring NFPA compliance, building accreditation documentation, and delivering the program across the state..

  As a member of the EFO section, I seek to help ensure the continual development of the EFO program, assist others with the challenges of transferring EFO classes into regionally accredited educational programs, and promote the benefits of peer experience.