Bernalillo County on Sept. 9 installed Zachary Lardy as the new fire chief of Bernalillo County Fire Rescue and publicly recognized outgoing Chief Greg Perez, who will remain with the county as a deputy county manager. The commission and community praised Perez’s seven-year tenure and the department’s recent expansion under his leadership.

County Manager Cindy Chavis, introducing the change, said the county conducted a national search and “we deserve the best.” She described an intensive recruitment process that included public input, candidate assessments and community meetings before selecting a finalist.

Lardy, who has served with Bernalillo County Fire Rescue for 19 years and five years as deputy chief, told commissioners: “It is truly the honor of my life to act in this public service capacity.” He said he intends to “carry the mission of the organization” and cited the department’s values of excellence, professionalism, integrity and compassion.

Chief Greg Perez, who was honored by the commission and county staff in a video and remarks, reflected on his tenure: “It has been 1 heck of a journey.” Perez highlighted growth accomplished during his service, including expanded staffing, new stations and a public safety training academy, and said he looks forward to supporting the department and new chief in his deputy county manager role.

Union and firefighter leaders also spoke. Miguel Timman, president of the New Mexico Professional Firefighters and IAFF Local 244, praised Perez’s leadership and said the department will “always call you chief.” Multiple commissioners thanked Perez for his public-safety leadership during COVID-19 and for station and academy projects completed under his tenure.

The county manager described the search steps to the commission: an application period with 28 nationwide applicants, meet-the-candidate events with nearly 100 participants, on-site assessments and interviews by panels that included other fire chiefs and community members. After the final interviews, Chavis announced Lardy as the selected chief; the county held an immediate swearing-in and public recognition at the Sept. 9 meeting.

The transition is administrative: Perez will remain in county leadership to support public safety priorities while Lardy assumes operational command. The county emphasized continuity in leadership and the department’s readiness for the next chapter.

Photos and a formal presentation recognizing Perez’s service were given to the family during the meeting; commissioners noted the department’s continuing work to expand response capacity in growing areas of the county.

The commission did not take a separate vote on the chief appointment during the meeting because the manager executed the appointment following the completed search process, and the public recognition and remarks comprised the formal action recorded at the meeting.