GWGVFD ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

(Gaithersburg) - Ed Tobias has been elected President and Ken Knopp has been elected senior Deputy Chief of the Gaithersburg - Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department.

Tobias, who lives in Derwood, is a nine-year veteran of the GWGVFD. He has served on the fire department's Board of Directors for six years and is the department's Public Information Officer. "It's important that our local fire-rescue departments continue to focus on the unique, local needs of our communities," says Tobias. "Only by working closely with our neighbors in Montgomery Village, Gaithersburg, Derwood and Washington Grove, while coordinating with officials on the county level, can we provide the best fire-rescue service."

Knopp, who lives in Boyds, has been a GWGVFD member for 12 years. He has served as the department's treasurer and on its Board of Directors. As senior Deputy Chief he will be in charge of the department's training programs.

Also elected, as members of the GWGVFD Board of Directors, were Margaret Eggleston and Mitch Nagaraj, both of Gaithersburg. Robert "Cuz" Harding was re-elected as Secretary.

All take office in January.