Lawrence G. Petrick, Jr., a member of the OP&F Board of Trustees representing active firefighters since December 2003, has assumed the position of Board Chair following the death of Lawrence Deck in July.

The OP&F Board Governance Policy states "Any vacancy of the employee member who serves as the Chairman shall result in the Chair�Elect becoming the Chairman for the balance of the remaining term, and the next year for which he was already elected to succeed as Chairman."

Petrick was elected Chair�Elect by his fellow Board members in June and was scheduled to become Chair in June 2007. As Chair of the OP&F Board, Petrick�s responsibilities include selecting members of the Board�s committees and chairing the Board�s Investment committee. The Board of Trustees serves as the governing body of the organization and is responsible for the administration and management of OP&F.

Petrick is a 25�year veteran of the fire service and is a lieutenant with the Shaker Heights Fire Department. Following his appointment to the Board in 2003, Petrick was elected to a new four�year term beginning in June 2004.

Before joining the OP&F Board he has served as president, vice�president, treasurer and secretary for the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 516 Executive Board. Petrick has been Director of Health, Safety & EMS for the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters since 1993.