Tommy Smith – Interim Fire Chief

Mayor Steve Bach appointed Chief Tommy Smith to serve as Interim Fire Chief for the City of Colorado Springs, effective May 1, 2013.

Deputy Chief Smith has served on the Colorado Springs Fire Department since 1991 and has been a firefighter, paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief.  Chief Smith currently oversees Support Services which includes the Training Division, Medical Division, Division of the Fire Marshal, Fleet and Facilities, Human Resources, Public Communications and Community Education.  

Chief Smith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management in Human Resources.

E-mail Address: tsmith@springsgov.com  

Pete Carey - Police Chief

He began his law enforcement career with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in 1982. He joined the Colorado Springs Police Department in 1984. He has been a Master Patrol Officer, field training officer, narcotics detective, and crisis negotiator. Carey has held supervisory positions in the Patrol Bureau; Metro Vice, Narcotics and Intelligence Unit; Training Academy; Specialized Enforcement Unit and Major Crimes Unit. 

Mayor Steve Bach announced Peter “Pete” Carey as Colorado Springs Police Chief on January 24, 2012. Carey served as interim police chief since October 11, 2011, eight days following his predecessor’s retirement. Carey was named deputy chief in January 2008.

Police Chief Carey holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He is a graduate of the 229th Session of the FBI's National Academy and a 2010 graduate of the Senior Management Institute of Policing. He is married and has four children. 

E-mail address:   pcarey@springsgov.com

Christopher J. Melcher, Chief Legal Officer/City Attorney

Mayor Steve Bach appointed Christopher J. Melcher to the position of City Attorney on October 1, 2011. Christopher Melcher received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1986. He served as Chief Legal Officer for The Colorado College since 2006, where his key duties included advice and leadership on all legal issues, legislation, local and state government relations, institutional governance, risk management, employment disputes, contracts, litigation, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, investments, real estate acquisition and development.

Mr. Melcher is a Founding Director of the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority, where he has been Chair of the Board since 2007. As City Attorney, he will be chief legal advisor to the Mayor, City Council, all Boards and Commissions, Colorado Springs Utilities, Memorial Health System, as well as staffs of their respective organizations, and all other enterprises and appointees of the City. Additionally, the City Attorney's Office is charged with prosecution of all cases docketed into Municipal Court. 

E-mail address:   cmelcher@springsgov.com

Laura Neumann, Chief of Staff/Chief Administrative Officer 

Mayor Steve Bach appointed Laura Neumann to serve as Chief of Staff/Chief Administrative Officer, effective January 1, 2012.

Ms. Neumann has a 24-year tenure with Benchmark Hospitality International, where she most recently served seven years at Cheyenne Mountain Resort and The Country Club of Colorado as Vice President and General Manager. During that time, she was responsible for successfully repositioning the owner’s $50M asset while executing over $20M in capital renovations.

 Laura held administrative and financial responsibility of all resort operations (Finance, Human Resources, Sales, Operations, Facilities, and Club/Recreation). Prior to her assignment in Colorado Springs, Ms. Neumann successfully opened and transitioned over 20 domestic and international hotel, conference, and resort properties (in eight states and Canada) while strategically improving owner’s asset value for each unique destination. Ms. Neumann is married with two children. 

E-mail address:   lneumann@springsgov.com