The City of West Covina has appointed Gregory McKeown as its new Fire Chief, following an extensive and competitive recruitment process led by TS Talent Solutions (TSTS).
With more than 35 years of experience in the fire and response operation service, Chief McKeown brings a deep background in emergency management, operations and leadership. He has held senior leadership positions with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), including roles as Division Chief and Assistant Fire Chief. His responsibilities have included overseeing daily operations across large geographic areas, managing hundreds of personnel, leading specialized programs such as Hazardous Materials and Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) and serving as the department’s duty chief with oversight of 72 fire stations and 1.7 million residents. Chief McKeown has extensive experience collaborating with local, county, state and community partners and has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentoring, team building and fostering accountability throughout his career.
“Recruiting a Fire Chief who aligns with our department’s operational needs and long-term vision was a priority,” said Milan Mrakich, Interim City Manager for the City of West Covina. “With the support from TS Talent Solutions we were able to identify a candidate ready to lead our community and strengthen our public safety services while enhancing a culture of accountability and innovation.”
Led by TSTS Executive Recruiter Christine Martin and supported by Senior Recruitment Coordinator Kylie Sun and Assistant Recruitment Coordinator Julia Gale, the recruitment focused on identifying candidates with the experience and leadership qualities needed to lead the West Covina Fire Department and serve the community well. The search produced a large, competitive candidate pool. Following the recruitment and selection process, the City Council appointed Gregory McKeown on March 18, 2026. Throughout the search, TSTS worked closely with City staff and utilized a range of outreach strategies, including job-specific platforms, targeted outreach efforts and a detailed recruitment brochure.
“West Covina presented an important opportunity to identify a candidate with the experience and leadership skills needed to guide a dynamic and evolving department,” said Christine. “It was rewarding to support the City through a competitive recruitment process, and we are pleased to see Gregory McKeown step into this critical role.”
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as the Fire Chief for West Covina,” said Chief McKeown. “I look forward to working closely with the dedicated staff of this department, collaborating with community partners and continuing to provide excellent emergency response and risk reduction services to the residents of West Covina. The support from TS Talent Solutions throughout the recruitment process made this transition seamless, and I am eager to thrive in this new chapter.”
About TS Talent Solutions
TS Talent Solutions is a California-based executive search and talent development organization focused on the local government sector. A division of Tripepi Smith, TS Talent Solutions leverages the expertise and digital acumen of its parent firm to deliver next-generation recruitment solutions for public agencies. The quest for talent never ends, but progress is made with TS Talent Solutions.
We’ve sourced talent for:
City of American Canyon, Town of Atherton, City of Bainbridge Island (WA), City of Bell, City of Commerce, City of Fairfield, City of Indian Wells, City of Indio, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lomita, City of Manteca, City of Morro Bay, City of Needles, City of Palos Verdes Estates, City of Paramount, City of Pasco (WA), City of Rosemead, City of San Luis Obispo, City of Saratoga, City of Tracy, Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, Humboldt County Association of Governments, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Ventura Council of Governments, West County Wastewater District
We’ve developed strategic plans for:
City of Bellflower, City of Carpinteria, City of Cerritos, City of Foster City, City of Hercules, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lomita, City of Westminster, Heartland Fire & Rescue