Tag: Retire

Mt. Pleasant Fire Chief Doug Lobsinger Retires After 33 Years of Service

After 33 years of service to the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, Fire Chief Doug Lobsinger will retire on October 30, 2026. Doug joined the department as a paid-on-call firefighter on October 18, 1993, and attended his first fire training course that same night. He became a full-time firefighter in 1997, was promoted to Fire Sergeant in 2015, Assistant Fire Chief in 2018, and was named Fire Chief in May 2023.

Throughout his career, Doug’s work extended well beyond emergency response. As a certified EMS and Fire I instructor, he dedicated much of his career to teaching. He also directed the Neighborhood Resource Unit, administered the MSHDA housing grant program to help residents make home exterior improvements, and served as Union Township’s Fire Chief and Fire Code Official. His involvement in community boards, public safety partnerships and outreach reflect his commitment to the people and communities he served.

Public Safety Director Paul Lauria said, “Doug has had a very positive impact on the Fire Department, but I think his impact on the community goes well beyond that. He has always been willing to take on projects and get involved, from the City’s TNR program to organizing Greeks Cleaned the Streets. That is one of the things I have always appreciated about Doug. He understood that public service was bigger than just his role as Fire Chief. He cared about the community and was willing to put in the work to make it better. I think his impact will be felt here for a long time.”

Looking back on his career, Doug shared that its greatest rewards have not come from any single achievement, but from the people he served with.

“When I think about what I am most proud of, it isn’t a particular fire, promotion or accomplishment. It is the people. I am proud of the firefighters who show up every day ready to help someone they may never have met.”

That belief shaped Doug’s leadership as chief. Through years of teaching and mentoring, he reminded new firefighters that making a difference isn’t always about saving a life or putting out a fire. It’s often about showing up when someone is having the worst day of their life and treating them with dignity and compassion. As chief, he found it most rewarding to watch his team do just that.

Doug is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, fishing, enjoying his hobbies and discovering life beyond the firehouse. After years of late-night calls, training and time away from home, he is grateful for the family who supported him throughout his career.

While he is ready for the next chapter, Doug knows the fire service will always be part of who he is.

“Once a firefighter, always a firefighter. The uniform may eventually come off, the pager may eventually stop, and the schedule will belong to someone else, but the memories, friendships, lessons, and experiences will stay with me forever.”

Reflecting on his time with the department, Doug shared his gratitude for the people who have been part of his journey and the opportunity to serve alongside them.

“For 33 years, I was fortunate enough to be part of something bigger than myself. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey. It has been an incredible ride, and now I am ready to see what is waiting around the next corner.”

Congratulations on your retirement, Chief Lobsinger. Thank you for 33 years of dedication to the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department and the community.

Nancy Ridley to Retire

When Nancy Ridley moved to Mt. Pleasant as a Central Michigan University student, she never imagined she would later become City Manager and oversee the multiple services provided to residents. After graduating from CMU with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Finance, Nancy remained on campus to continue her work in the finance area. Then in 1997, Nancy joined the City of Mt. Pleasant to fill the Finance Director role. In 2014, she was appointed City Manager.

When asked what prompts someone to seek out a career in municipal government Ridley replied, “Local government, although challenging at times, is very rewarding because you are able to see the results of your work, every single day.” She continued, “Whether it is the water that comes out of our faucets, the condition of the streets and sidewalks, an extensive park system, public safety, redevelopment projects, or trash and recycling programs, these functions all serve as reminders of what we, as local government, are tasked with on a daily basis.” 

Although water, streets, public safety and parks are a part of a resident’s daily experience, there is nothing routine about assuring these services are uninterrupted and of high quality. During her tenure as City Manager, more than $10 million was earmarked towards capital improvement projects for streets, water, sewer and the airport. Curbside recycling for rooming houses and multi-family residences was expanded, intersection and pedestrian lighting was enhanced throughout the city, 25 more miles to the sidewalk snow removal program were added, park amenities were upgraded, and accessibility was improved by constructing more sidewalks and bike routes. In addition, after receiving public input, the City Master Plan 2050 was developed and adopted, and the completion of the West Broadway Revitalization Project took place with the recent construction of the Broadway Lofts.

There are many challenges to being a City Manager, Ridley observed, “The biggest undertaking is meeting the needs of various groups such as; elected City Commissioners, city staff, residents/businesses and community partners. They all play vital roles, and balancing the needs of each group is extremely important and is not possible without strong partnerships.”

Throughout her past 7 years as City Manager, Ridley has strengthened affiliations with Central Michigan University, the Central Michigan District Health Department, Isabella County, Mt. Pleasant Public Schools, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and Union Township. A sampling of positive results flowing from this enhanced collaboration include: improving relationships between college students and residents in neighborhoods north of campus; four new grid streets connected to Mission Street to enhance safety; extending the non-motorized path through the south end of campus safely connecting Deerfield and Broomfield Roads; a cooperative COVID-19 response strategy; the establishment of Hannah’s Dog Park; the formation of both the Airport Joint Operations and Management Board and the Mid-Michigan Aquatic Recreational Authority.

Communication with community partners is key, and is also a major driver in the overall city staff culture set by Ridley. Reflecting on working with city staff Ridley shared, “I have enjoyed watching the growth and ingenuity of our staff members. We have been handed some tough issues and projects throughout the years and it always impressed me how staff, fueled by their dedication to city residents, would find creative solutions.”    

Due to COVID precautions, a public retirement reception for Nancy Ridley will not be scheduled. Individuals are encouraged to send a note to her at 320 W. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 or email at nridley@mt-pleasant.org before her final day scheduled for October 29.