City of
Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, Dec.
20, 2018) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren announced today that she has appointed Will
Jackson as chief of the Rochester Fire Department and Justin Roj as the
Director of Communications and Special Events, effective Jan. 1. Carlet Cleare
will begin work in the Communications Bureau on Jan. 2.
“Will Jackson
and Justin Roj both have long careers as dedicated public servants, and I look
forward to working with both of them as we continue our efforts to create more
jobs, safer/vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities,” said
Mayor Warren.
Deputy Chief
Jackson is a more than 20-year veteran of the RFD. He joined the department in
1996 and was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2016, overseeing the Department’s training
division. He has worked in the operations division, community outreach and
recruitment. He will replace Chief John Schreiber, who is retiring after 30
years with the RFD. Chief Jackson’s appointment requires City Council
confirmation.
“Chief Jackson
has dedicated his career to the Rochester Fire Department and serving the
residents of Rochester,” Mayor Lovely Warren said. “He regularly goes above and
beyond, helping the Department become one of the very best in the country. Our
firefighters are our city’s everyday heroes, each and every day risking their
lives to protect ours. His appointment opens a new and exciting chapter for the
Rochester Fire Department. I would also like to thank Chief Schreiber for his
service and wish him well in retirement.”
“I would like
to thank Mayor Warren for having the confidence to promote me to Chief of the
Rochester Fire Department. It is an honor and a privilege to lead Rochester’s
bravest and most dedicated men and women, many of whom I have worked with in my
22 years in the Department. We will continue to provide the highest level of
service to the residents of Rochester.”
Chief Jackson
is a graduate of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Chief Officer
Development Program, and the National Fire Academy.
He has received
numerous awards and commendations. In 2013, he was recognized for saving a man
trapped in a vehicle. In 2006, he helped save three children from a burning
building. These are two of many, many examples of Jackson’s bravery and grace
under pressure. He also has done extensive work outside the department,
volunteering for the Pillars of Hope and VOA Camp Heroes program. He serves on the Rochester Sister Cities
Puerto Plata Firefighters Project, delivering surplus fire trucks and equipment
to that impoverished community.
Mr. Roj served
as Assistant Monroe County Executive; Deputy Director of Monroe County
Environmental Services; and as a Deputy County Clerk. He also served as the
government relations coordinator in the County Department of Communications and
as a legislative director in the Monroe County Legislature. Most recently he
was the Director of Operations at the Popli Design Group, an architecture and
engineering firm.
“Justin has a
wealth of experience in improving governmental operations,” Mayor Warren said.
“He is a proven innovator who always has put the interests of the citizens he
serves at the forefront of any tasks he takes on. I am thrilled to welcome
Justin to our team here at City Hall.”
“I want to
thank Mayor Warren for this opportunity to return to public service, which is
my true passion,” said Mr. Roj. “I am excited to be part of all the great
things that are happening in Rochester and playing a role in telling this
city’s amazing story.”
Mr. Roj has a
Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Rochester’s Simon
School of Business; and a Bachelor’s Degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of
Public Communications at Syracuse University. He is married and has two
children.
Mr. Roj will
replace James Smith, who will become the Deputy Mayor. He has more than 20 years of experience in
the public and private sectors, many of them at the highest level of executive
authority where he oversaw budgets in excess of $100 million and supervised
more than 300 employees.
Carlet Cleare
will be joining the Communications Bureau as Associate Digital Communications
Assistant. She was a broadcast journalist for more than 10 years, most recently
at 13 WHAM television. Prior to that she worked at WXXI and R-News. She has a
degree in journalism and communications from St. John Fisher College.
“Carlet has
always had a passion for Rochester and has been telling the story of our
community and its residents as a well-respected reporter at Channel 13,” said
Mayor Warren. “Having Carlet working in
our communications department and telling our city and our residents’ stories
now from City Hall is a great opportunity for both her and city government.”
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News Media: For
more information, contact Interactive Media Editor Patrick Flanigan at
428-7135.