To the City of Concordia
Re: Retirement – Chief Brent Gering
Dear Mayor, City Council, City Administration, Fellow Employees, and the Citizens of Concordia,
After much thought and reflection, I am writing to formally announce my retirement from the City of Concordia, effective November 6, 2026.
It is difficult to put into words what this community and my years of service have meant to me. Serving the City of Concordia has been far more than a career, it has been a privilege, a responsibility, and a significant part of my life. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served the citizens of this community and to have worked alongside so many dedicated and caring people.
Throughout my years with the city, I have had the honor of being part of many important moments, challenges, accomplishments, and changes. Together, we have worked to make Concordia a safer, stronger, and better place to live, work, and raise a family. I am proud of what we have accomplished, but I am even more proud of the people who made those accomplishments possible.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the men and women I have had the opportunity to work with throughout my career. Their professionalism, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to serving others have made a lasting impression on me. Leadership is never an individual effort, and I am proud to have been surrounded by people who consistently stepped up when their community needed them.
I am also grateful to the elected officials, city administrators, fellow department heads, employees, and community members who have supported me throughout my time with the city. There have been difficult days and difficult decisions, but there have also been countless moments that reminded me why public service is so meaningful.
Most importantly, I am thankful for the citizens of Concordia. They placed their trust in me and allowed me the opportunity to serve a community that I have come to care deeply about. That trust is something I have never taken lightly. Every call answered, every problem addressed, every difficult situation managed, and every opportunity to help someone has been a reminder of the responsibility that comes with serving the public.
As I look toward retirement, I do so with a tremendous sense of gratitude and pride. I am proud of the career I have been fortunate enough to have, proud of the people I have served alongside, and proud to have played a part in the history and continued success of the City of Concordia.
Although I am looking forward to spending more time with family, pursuing new interests, and beginning this next chapter, I know that leaving this position will be bittersweet. I will miss the people, the purpose, the challenges, and especially the sense of community that comes with serving Concordia.
I leave knowing that the city is in good hands and that there are dedicated people who will continue to serve its citizens with the same commitment and pride. I sincerely hope that the lessons learned, friendships made, and experiences shared during my years of service will continue to be a source of pride for me for many years to come.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, challenged me, encouraged me, and stood beside me throughout my career. It has been an honor to serve as your Chief, and it has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life to serve the City of Concordia and its citizens.
I will always be grateful to call Concordia a community I served and a place that will remain an important part of my life.
With sincere gratitude and appreciation,
Chief Brent Gering
City of Concordia
