AFFI Executive Board
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
President Chuck Sullivan
Chuck Sullivan was appointed as the President of the AFFI in January of 2020 and subsequently elected in June of 2020 by the delegates assembled at the 42nd Biennial Convention. He had previously served as the Central District Legislative Representative since 2008. Chuck has served in various Executive Board offices within his own Champaign Local 1260, and was also the AFFI 2nd District Political Education Committee Coordinator from 2004 to 2008. Sullivan was hired by CFD in 1995 and retired in 2022 at the rank of Battalion Chief.
Sullivan said he is “Honored and humbled by the opportunity and privilege to represent Illinois professional union firefighters across our great state. Our AFFI predecessors established an excellent reputation at the Capitol, our goal is to maintain it.” He feels the biggest challenge facing fire service labor is to, “Protect and improve on our pensions ensuring our members are able to enjoy a comfortable retirement after a long and rewarding career.
He also believes it is “Vital to our continued success to have members at the local level engaged in all aspects of what our union stands for. Without Local participation, the AFFI does not function.”
You can contact Chuck at: [email protected]
Secretary/Treasurer Kurt Snow
Secretary/Treasurer Kurt Snow was elected to the AFFI at the June 2022 Convention in Peoria. Kurt was hired in August of 2018 as a Staff Representative and appointed as our Director of Communications in 2020.
He attended the IAFF Communication Training Academy in Silver Springs, Maryland, and served on the AFFI Labor History Committee 2012-2022 and the AFFI Political Education Committee 2014-2022.
Kurt was hired by the Streator Fire Department in 2002 where he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. He served as the Vice President of Streator Fire Fighters Local 56 from 2007-2009 and President From 2009-2024.
You can contact Kurt at: [email protected]
Vice President Luke Howieson
Luke Howieson currently serves as the AFFI Vice President, having been elected to that position in 2018. Luke began his fire service career in 1995, and has served with the DeKalb Fire Department since 2001 where he is currently a Bat. Chief.
Luke is a proud member of DeKalb Fire Fighters Local 1236 in which he has served the local as a Shift Steward, Treasurer, and President. He is also proud of his involvement with the AFFI Warrior Program and the AFFI Labor History Committee. Luke has been a fire service instructor for multiple institutions across the State of Illinois.
“I am honored to serve the members of the AFFI and look forward to the further development of cutting edge educational programs that will strengthen our great state association.”
You can contact Luke at: [email protected]
District 1 Vice President Danny Fortuna
Daniel Fortuna is a 30-year member of the Chicago Fire Fighters Union, IAFF Local 2. Dan has been an active member of the Chicago Fire Department since 1978. Dan Fortuna is currently serving as the State of Illinois First District Vice President of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI). He serves 40 locals in his district. Dan is proud to have served three terms on the Executive Board of the Chicago Fire Fighters Union (CFFU), Local 2 as the Director of Public Relations. His initial involvement with the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 began on February 14, 1980 when Dan Fortuna joined his 4000 union brothers on strike to obtain the Chicago Firefighters Union first labor contract. Soon after the settlement, he was elected as a Union Steward for the newly formed Steward Program. Dan served on the transition team of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. In 2005, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Dan to serve as a member of the Firefighters Medal of Honor Committee. In addition, he is a current board member sitting on the Illinois Firefighter Memorial Foundation Committee, as appointed by the Illinois State Fire Marshall. Dan is also an elected Executive Board member of NCPERS (National Conference on Public Employee Retirement System). He serves as a member of the Budget, Marketing and By-Laws Committees.
You can contact Dan at: [email protected]
District 2 Vice President Chris Coats
Chris Coats was hired by the Pekin Fire Department in August of 1999, and was promoted to engineer in 2008 and Captain in 2012. Chris proudly served on the executive board of Local 524 as a Shift Steward, Secretary-Treasurer, and President and has served the AFFI as District 2 PEC Coordinator and a District Vice-President. Chris was first elected District 2 Vice-President at the June 2010 Biennial Convention in Springfield. “It’s an honor to be re-elected for 3 more terms and be able to continue to serve you as your District 2 VP. In my years as a member of the AFFI we’ve tackled every issue and obstacle head on and promise to continue to do the same. I look forward to many more years serving you as a member of your AFFI Executive Board, performing at the same level you’ve come to expect as we continue to move our great organization forward, and meet all of our challenges head on.
You can contact Chris at: [email protected]
District 3 Vice President Steve Perry
Steve was hired by the Alton Fire Department in May of 2000 and is currently a Captain. He served as Treasurer of Local 1255 from 2005 – 2011. Steve has been President of the Local since 2011. District 3 Vice President Perry has also been a member of the AFFI Honor Guard since 2003 and is honored to currently serve as District 1 Commander since 2014. He was elected District 3 Vice President at the 43 Biennial Convention in 2020. Many Honor Guard members also serve on their Local Executive Boards in District 3. Local issues are regularly a topic of conversation at Honor Guard training and he decided that he wanted to use his years of experience as a Local Executive Board member to help other locals as their District Vice President.
You can contact Steve at: [email protected]
District 4 Vice President Scott Cavenaile
Scott began his career with Wood Dale Professional Firefighters Local 3594 in 2007. In 2012, he was hired by the Downer’s Grove Fire Department where he currently serves as a Lieutenant. As a proud member of Local 3234, Scott has served in several roles on the Executive Board, including: Secretary, Vice-President, PAC Chairman, and most recently as President.
Scott credits his upbringing in a proud IBEW Union household for instilling in him a passion for labor and service. Now raising his own family, Scott shares a great appreciation for the Unions that provided for his family in both childhood and adulthood.
In August of 2023, Scott was elected District 4 Vice-President at a special election caucus in Carol Stream; stating at the time “I am honored to serve the Brothers and Sisters in my district and I look forward to what we can accomplish for our members, our profession, and our Union.”
You can contact Scott at: [email protected]
District 5 Vice President Art Thompson
Art Thompson was elected District 5 VP at the June 2016 Biennial Convention in Bloomingdale. Art was hired by the Barrington Fire Department in August of 1996. He is currently serving his 9th term on the executive board of Barrington Local 3481 where he has been Shift Steward, Trustee, Local Treasurer and currently President.
Art has been very active in the AFFI since 2008 serving on the Privatization Committee. He also served as District 5 VP Assistant under Steve Horne from 2012 until his election. Art currently serves as Chair for the AFFI Consolidation Committee.
During Art’s career, the Barrington Fire Dept split into two entities, Barrington Fire Dept and Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District. Art was instrumental in rebuilding his local. He recognizes the importance of union members building strong political relationships and standing united.
You can contact Art at: [email protected]
Northern District Legislative Representative Steve Shetsky
Steve Shetsky was elected as Northern District Legislative Representative in June of 2020 and has served on the Political Education Committee since 2012. In January of 2013, he was hired as a Staff Representative and focused primarily on the political and legislative components of the AFFI’s efforts. He earned his Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from American University in Washington, DC. He was hired by Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District in 2006 and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. He has served as the Local 4224 Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and multiple terms as President. He also works for the International Association of Fire Fighters as a State Political Academy instructor and travels the country teaching campaigns and politics to IAFF members in other states. Steve currently serves as the AFFI PAC Secretary
“Our profession is political in nature and we are forced to participate in that arena if we want to preserve our rights and advance the labor movement. There is no substitute for firefighters representing ourselves at the State Capitol. I take great pride and consider it an honor to be able to work with the Legislative Committee on behalf of our 15,000+ members in Illinois.”
You can contact Steve at: [email protected]
Central District Legislative Representative Jeff Maher
Jeff Maher was elected as Central District Legislative Representative in February of 2020. He has been a member of the Galesburg Fire Department since 2008 and currently serves as a Captain. Immediately upon being hired he realized the importance of being involved in local politics and began taking on leadership roles with the Galesburg Firefighters Association – Local 555. He has served his local membership as Secretary, Vice President, and President. Jeff is routinely involved in local, regional, and statewide campaigns to help candidates who stand up for firefighters get elected to office.
Jeff began work with the AFFI in 2016 as a Staff Representative and focused primarily on Collective Bargaining and Database Development. Jeff currently serves as the AFFI PAC Treasurer.
“It’s an honor to serve the 33 Locals and 1000+ AFFI members of the Central District and it is a privilege to lead a highly motivated group of top performing Political Education Committee members to advance AFFI initiatives in Springfield, throughout the region, and across the State of Illinois.”
You can contact Jeff at: [email protected]
Southern District Legislative Representative Brant Maine
Brant Maine was elected to the position of Southern district Legislative representative at the 2022 biennial Convention in Peoria. Brant was Hired by the Belleville Fire Department in January 1992. He currently serves as a Captain. Brant quickly joined the executive board of Local 53 as Secretary in January of 1993. He has served as an officer for Local 53 for over 25 years holding the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Trustee.
Brant studied History and Political Science at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. His interest in the political process and the fire service began at the AFFI’s Fran Gambro Legislative Conference. “Local 53 has been a constant participant at the Gambro Conference since 2006.” “There is no better event for the AFFI’s members to learn how much the political process can affect our profession.” Brant has been active in assisting in campaigns with the Legislative Committee for several years and was appointed to the AFFI PEC in 2018.
“I am fortunate to have worked with The Fiery Struggle Generation. Throughout my career as a Local officer, I have witnessed what our Legislative Committee has achieved and its positive impact to our organization. I am honored to represent the Southern District and to advocate on their behalf as well as the 15,000+ members of the AFFI. I look forward to moving our AFFI forward and improving the lives and careers of our future members.”
You can contact Brant at: [email protected]
