Three finalists have been named for the position of fire chief, according to a news release from the city of Ames. Clint Peterson, current fire chief of Ames, will be retiring July 31 after 33 years with the city of Ames. He has served for the past 12 years as fire chief.

Candidate interviews for the three finalists will be taking place throughout the month of July.

As part of the interview process, each candidate will make a public presentation that will include a question-and-answer session. The public is encouraged to attend these “meet and greets.” All three of the presentations will be taking place in the City Council Chambers.

More than 48 applications were received for the fire chief job posting.

The first interview will be candidate Richard Mikel. His presentation will be  from 4 to 5 p.m. July 16.

Mikel has previously served as the “Deputy Chief for Administration in Downers Grove, Illinois, and Deputy Fire Chief for Operations in Naperville, Illinois,” according to the news release. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science services from Southern Illinois University and an associate degree in fire science from Triton College.

Mikel has also received the executive fire officer designation from the National Fire Academy and chief fire officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing.

The second interview session will be Terry Welker. His presentation is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. July 26 

Welker currently serves as the executive director of human resources for the city of Scottsdale, Arizona. Welker previously served as the “Fire Chief for the Ak-Chin Indian Community in Maricopa County, for the Rural Metro Corporation in Mesa, Arizona, and the City of Staunton, Virginia. He was also a Deputy Fire Chief in Clearwater, Florida and a Fire Captain in Chesterfield County, Virginia,” according to the news release.

Welker holds a master’s degree in finance and human resources from Troy State University, a bachelor’s degree in fire administration/EMS from Hampton University and an associate degree in fire science from J. Sargent Reynolds Community College.

Welker also has received a chief fire officer designation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation and Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy.

The last interview will be Shawn Bayouth from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. July 30.

“Bayouth currently is serving as the Deputy Fire Chief for Support Services for the city of Ames. Previously he served a Battalion Chief for the Eagle River Fire Protection District in Avon, Colorado, and the Assistant Chief of Training for the city of Urbandale, Iowa.

“He has a doctoral degree in industrial and agricultural technology from Iowa State, a master’s degree in human resource development from Indiana State University, a bachelor’s degree in fire administration and management from Western Illinois University and an associate degree in fire administration from Johnson County Community College. He has received a chief fire officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing and executive fire officer designation from the National Fire Academy,” according to the news release.