Conroe City Council Appoints Paul Sims as New Fire Chief

On December 12, the Conroe City Council named Paul Sims as the city's next fire chief. Sims will succeed Interim Fire Chief Mike Legoudes, Jr., who took over after the retirement of former Fire Chief Ken Kreger in July.

Mayor Duke Coon stated that the search process was overseen by a committee that included himself, council members Shana Arthur and Howard Wood, Assistant City Administrator Nancy Mikeska, City Administrator Gary Scott, and Human Resource Director Andre Houser and that Sims' decision was unanimous.

Sims previously worked as assistant chief for Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 9 and spent 28 years with the Conroe Fire Department, including a stint as fire chief in Harker Heights. He also has a family history in Conroe, with his great uncle serving as fire chief and mayor from 1966 to 1971 and his father working as a firefighter.

According to Houser, 35 qualified applicants from local, state, and national postings applied for the position of new fire chief. This number was reduced to five and then three finalists. After one candidate withdrew, Sims was chosen from the remaining two.

"Paul Sims brings both experience and a connection to our community," Coon, the mayor, stated. "We're confident in his ability to lead Conroe's fire department into the future."

Sims' selection demonstrates Conroe's dedication to maintaining excellent leadership for its emergency services while also preserving its reputation of excellence in public safety.