RESOLUTION
WHEREAS. Gary Schenkcl has officially announced his retirement as Executive Director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications following over four decades of dedicated public service; and
WHEREAS, A 29-year veteran ofthe United Slates Marine Corps, Gary Schenkel retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2000 after serving primarily in infantry units, garnering significant leadership experience, developing nuclear response plans, and executing large-scale logistical projects: and
WHEREAS, Prior to retiring from the Marine Corps, Gary Schenkel served as Operations Officer at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, where he focused on transformational and cultural change, urban combat and long-range planning; and
WHEREAS, Following his service with the United States Marine Corps, Gary Schenkel served as the Assistant Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department from 2000 until 2004, where he was one of only two civilians in the department's history to be given operational command over uniformed officers in the department. Significantly, he headed the department's anti-terrorism efforts following the attacks of September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS. While serving as Assistant Federal Security Director for the Transportation Security Administration at Chicago Midway Airport from 2004 until 2007, Gary Schenkel ensured the highest levels of security at Midway Airport and oversaw strategic planning and business management of Transportation Security Administration operations; and
WHEREAS, Gary Schenkel was responsible for the safety and security of federal property and assets during his time as the Director ofthe Federal Protective Service for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2007 until 2010, before serving as the Acting Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement ofthe U.S. Department of Homeland Security Headquarters until 201 I; and
WHEREAS, In 201 L Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed Gary Schenkel as the City's Executive Director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications; and
WHEREAS, Over the past five years as Executive Director, Gary Schenkel also served as a member of the American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois Board of Directors, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee, and the State of Illinois' Broadband Deployment Council, and
WHEREAS, Under Gary Sehenkel's line leadership, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications has ensured the efficient and effective coordination of resources for thousands of events over the past five years and established a portfolio of best practices that the City ofChicago will follow for years to come; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Gary Schenkel serve as an example to all; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we. the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twentieth day of July, 2016. do hereby express our sincere gratitude to Gary Schenkel on over four decades of dedicated public service, and do hereby express our best wishes for his continued good health, happiness and prosperity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, T hat a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Gary Schenkel as a token of our esteem and respect.