Arkansas Emergency Management Director to Retire in November
A.J. Gary will step down from his leadership post on November 1 after a decade of service to the state.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Safety
Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Director A.J. Gary is set to retire from the agency effective November 1, 2026. This move follows his ten-year tenure leading the state's emergency response efforts.
Why it matters
His departure marks the end of a long career in public service that helped shape how the state prepares for and manages large-scale natural disasters. The agency continues its mission of developing and updating the state comprehensive emergency plan.
A.J. Gary concludes a 40-year career in public service, including a decade as director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management. He previously served as the police chief in Conway for more than eight years.
The players
A.J. Gary
He is the outgoing director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management who also served as the police chief in Conway.
Arkansas Division of Emergency Management
This state agency is responsible for coordinating disaster response and maintaining the comprehensive emergency plan for Arkansas.
National Emergency Management Association
This professional organization supports state emergency management directors and recently hosted a national conference in Little Rock.
The details
Gary led the division through significant events, including the major Arkansas River flooding in 2019. Beyond his state role, he served a one-year term as president of the National Emergency Management Association.
Timeline
2019 was the year Arkansas experienced significant Arkansas River flooding.
November 1, 2026, marks the date A.J. Gary officially retires as director.
Seasonal Patterns
The transition in agency leadership follows years of evolving disaster preparedness protocols for the state. This change occurs as the state maintains the state comprehensive emergency plan to mitigate risks from recurring environmental events.
Residents can continue to access state disaster preparedness resources through the official emergency management portal. The agency remains operational to ensure public safety during weather events despite the upcoming change in leadership.
The takeaway
Gary intends to remain active in the field of emergency management following his departure. His career highlights the importance of experienced leadership in coordinating regional disaster response efforts.
Further reading
For more information on state emergency protocols, visit the Arkansas Safety section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KATV.
