Meet three of Roswell's strong and mighty leaders. We asked what inspires them, in and out of the office.
Joe Pennino
Fire Chief
My wife, mother-in-law, and I moved from Clearwater, Florida to the City of Roswell in May 2021. The role of fire chief comes with many challenges and opportunities. Though the job may seem straightforward, the fire service continues to evolve and fire departments are taking on more responsibilities. Some of the duties of a modern-day department like Roswell include fire suppression, emergency medical services, community risk reduction, emergency management, swift water rescue, and public education, just to name a few. My inspiration comes from my faith which emphasizes service above self. As fire Chief, my job is to ensure the Roswell Fire Department team has what it needs to provide the best customer service possible to our community and business owners. This includes reimagining our role in the community, constantly improving, and evoking positive change.
James W. Conroy
Chief of Police
As I write this, I realize today marks my two year anniversary at the City of Roswell. This past two years have gone by so quickly, yet so much has happened in Roswell, across this country and around the world. When I arrived in Roswell, I found a police department that was full of talented and dedicated employees. The men and women work together to ensure that Roswell remains one of the safest cities in Georgia. The Roswell Police Department (RPD) continues to provide a very high level of service. We have made great strides in the past two years, and that is only the beginning. RPD will continue to improve and become the premier law enforcement agency in Georgia. Inspiration in solving problems comes from my 30 years of prior service. My service to the DeKalb County Police Department has conditioned my response to and provided a roadmap to solving problems, especially critical incident response. Through my service I have learned how to treat others with compassion. My goal in solving problems is to always try to do the right thing. There is a quote from Lou Holtz that summarizes my inspiration. “I follow three rules: Do the right thing. Do the best you can, and always show people you care.” By following these three rules, you cannot help but be successful.
Lori Henry
Mayor
I’ve called Roswell home for most of my life. Karl and I raised our daughter Scottie here. I believe when we all work together toward a common goal, we can achieve anything for the City of Roswell. I’m always looking to build on partnerships throughout Roswell and Fulton County. Being a small business owner, I like to forge new relationships with the city’s business community and that means getting together to hold meaningful conversations. As Mayor, I believe in having an open door policy. I like to host periodic lunches with business owners to hear their concerns about the community. I also host periodic "Coffees with the Mayor" to plug in and connect with residents in an informal setting. I believe there is much to be learned from these conversations. Although we have all been tested during the COVID pandemic, I believe our focus on relationships and keeping our city financially strong while providing quality services to residents has helped us build our resiliency and strengthen our ability to meet future challenges. Together we will work hard to make sure Roswell continues to be the best place to live, work, and play in Georgia.