Leadership Officers 2026-2027
Chief John Gonzalez
Chief John Gonzalez is a dedicated emergency service professional with more than 30 years of service as volunteer firefighter and officer. He has held various fire service leadership roles in including: Fire Company Chief (2012, 2013,2023), Fire District Chief (2015,2016), and Deputy Fire Coordinator for Toms River Township Office of Emergency Management for several years. He served as fire chief in the coastal community of Toms River, NJ during Superstorm Sandy.
Currently, Chief Gonzalez serves as the President of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association which is the parent organization of the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, most commonly known for respondersafety.com and the Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN.org). Previously, as Operations Director at Florian ReApparatus, Chief Gonzalez drove initiatives to improve emergency responder and motorist safety at the Responder Motorist Interface. His commitment to safety and training is evident in his numerous certifications, including ProBoard certification in Traffic Incident Management and was the 2022 recipient of the Gary Briese IAFC Safety Performance Award.
Todd Leiss
Chief Tonya Hoover
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Deb Laudenslager
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Jim Watson PP
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John F. Long Jr.
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Chief David Lewis
David Lewis is an active member of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (Maryland), having served as a firefighter/EMT, Chief Officer, and Company President. In addition to his local service, David has served as President of the Maryland State Firefighters Association (2011-12) and as President of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association (2023-25). He also represents Maryland as a Director to the National Volunteer Fire Council, serves as Chairman of the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association's Safety and Health Committee, and is a volunteer advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Association.
David is nationally recognized as a subject matter expert in fire and emergency services issues. He has delivered training programs and conference presentations across the U.S. and is a recognized leader in promoting firefighter safety and wellness. As an emergency services educator, Mr. Lewis is able to apply his life experiences in an environment that shares with others and builds future leadership across the emergency services communities.
Elsie Elderkin
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Deborah Watson
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Jerry Daniels
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Board of Directors
Chief Joseph Kroboth III PP
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Joseph Chornock
I have been a member of the fire service in Montgomery County, Maryland for over 47 years. I began my fire service as a volunteer with the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad in 1977 as an EMT/ firefighter and then Paramedic before moving to the Germantown area where I joined the Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Dept. In January 1981, the Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department opened a substation in Germantown, which became Station 29, and I have made that my home ever since. In October of 1989, I was one of the 6 members that formed the Germantown Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and I worked with the State of Maryland and the Montgomery County Council to authorize the GVFD as a new fire department within Maryland, and Station 29 was renamed to the Germantown Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. I have held all of the administrative positions except Treasurer including 9 years as the President. During this time, I was also a career firefighter/paramedic for the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad promoting to the rank of Sergeant. As a Volunteer at GVFD, I advanced through the operational ranks becoming a Battalion Chief in 1995 and I reached the rank of fire chief in 2006. I have been an operational chief officer for 25 years. I joined the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association in 2005, and I am currently serving as the Membership Secretary. I have been an active member of the IAFC-VCOS since 2003 and have served on some committees and participated in writing the Amber Ribbon Report, and the updates of the Lavender & Yellow Ribbon Report and the FROG program.
I joined the CVVFA six years ago and started as the Home Office Manager for David Lewis when he became the President. I am currently serving as the Director of Planning.
Donna Welsh
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Steve Austin PP
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Justin Gearhart
Justin Gearhart is a seasoned firefighter and respected community leader who served as the President of the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway, Inc., in Hagerstown, Maryland. With decades of service under his belt, Justin has been instrumental in advancing the department’s mission to protect lives and property through fire suppression, emergency medical response, and public safety education.
As a lifelong resident of Washington County, Justin’s commitment to the Halfway community runs deep. During his tenure as president, he championed modernization efforts, strengthened volunteer recruitment, and fostered partnerships with local organizations to enhance emergency readiness. His leadership was marked by integrity, compassion, and a tireless drive to serve.
Justin continues to be a guiding presence within the fire company, embodying the values of service, courage, and community spirit that define the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway, Inc.
Justin started his attendance with CVVFA as a young child being brought to conventions and booster meetings all thru his life with his late father Robert Gearhart where he had met many wonderful mentors who have passed on. Justin’s aim of being a Director with the CVVFA is to honor the legacy of his father and those mentors whom the CVVFA misses dearly.
Chief Robert Cumberland PP
I joined the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 in Carroll County Maryland in August of 1963 and have been an active member for 62 and a life member. I have served as Lieutenant, Assist Chief, Chief, Vice President, President, and Treasurer, 2020 to 2022 was elected to the position of Historian. I am an active Fire Police for the department.
I am Past President of Carroll County Firemen's Association Carroll County Fire Chief Association, I serve on the federal legislative committee for the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association.
I am a Past President of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association. (This association is made up of companies from Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland).
As a member and Past President to the MSFA I serve as the Out of State Coordinator and on their federal legislative committee. I also served as the Director for the MSFA to the National Volunteer Fire Council from 1988 to 2003. I served as the Second Vice Chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council, and serve on their Executive committee and Legislative committee.
I was appointed in 1991 to the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission, and served on the commission until 2023, which is a division of the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
I serve on the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Board of Advisors, and was appointed Chairman in 2001 by President Mote of the University of Maryland and served in this position until 2013.
From 1997 to 2002 I worked for the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association as their Administrative Planner. I represented the Association on the Board of Children's Village of
Washington County starting in 1999 and serve until retiring from the Board in 2012. I also served the Village as their Treasurer and served as the chair of the Village’s By-Laws committee.
I served as President of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association in 1995 and have been an active member for 20 plus years with the association serving as a Director to the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association and was appointed Home Office Manager in
2021 and 2022. In 2023 I was again elected to the position of Director. I also serve on a couple of committee within the CVVFA at the present time. The Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association was approved as a member on the CFSI National Advisor Board. The President of CVVFA appointed me to be the CVVFA Delegate to the Board in February of 2014 and I served on the Board until 2019.
I am on National Fire Protection Association Professional Qualifications Standard 1091 (Traffic Control Incident Management Committee) representing the Westminster City Police Department.
In June 2004 the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security appointed me to the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and served on the Board until
August 2016. I also served on the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 3 Region Advisory Council representing the Volunteer Fire Service for 3 two year terms.
Chief David Lewis
David Lewis is an active member of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (Maryland), having served as a firefighter/EMT, Chief Officer, and Company President. In addition to his local service, David has served as President of the Maryland State Firefighters Association (2011-12) and as President of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association (2023-25). He also represents Maryland as a Director to the National Volunteer Fire Council, serves as Chairman of the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association's Safety and Health Committee, and is a volunteer advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Association.
David is nationally recognized as a subject matter expert in fire and emergency services issues. He has delivered training programs and conference presentations across the U.S. and is a recognized leader in promoting firefighter safety and wellness. As an emergency services educator, Mr. Lewis is able to apply his life experiences in an environment that shares with others and builds future leadership across the emergency services communities.
Past Presidents of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association
1902 - 2023