These ‘instrumental’ Boise leaders are set to retire late this year
The heads of Boise’s fire and parks and recreation departments are set to retire this fall, the city announced Wednesday.
Boise Fire Department Chief Mark Niemeyer, who plans to retire Nov. 30, has led the department for five years. Niemeyer, 56, served as the chief of the Meridian Fire Department from 2010 until 2020. He serves as the board president of the Western Fire Chiefs Association.
“During my time as the Chief, we’ve made great strides as a department — growing our capabilities, investing in our members, and strengthening our connections with the community,” he said in a news release.
Niemeyer’s hiring as chief sparked controversy: Boise Mayor Lauren McLean selected him for the role after conducting a nationwide search for a chief — but Niemeyer had not applied for the role, nor was he named a finalist in the search, the Idaho Statesman reported at the time.
Seth Ogilvie, McLean’s spokesperson at the time, told the Statesman that during the hiring process, “the mayor’s office heard from the public what it wanted in its fire chief” — and “it became clear that what they wanted was a candidate like Chief Niemeyer.”
McLean had placed Niemeyer’s predecessor, Dennis Doan, on paid leave over an unspecified “personnel issue,” and he later resigned. Doan said he was placed on leave after he supported former Mayor David Bieter, instead of McLean, during a mayoral runoff election.
On Wednesday, McLean expressed gratitude for Niemeyer’s service, calling him “instrumental” in advancing firefighter health and safety and fostering regional partnerships.
“Mark truly stepped up when called upon to lead and serve during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the department and our city through an incredibly challenging time with courage and compassion,” she said in the release.
Boise Parks and Recreation director to retire
Doug Holloway, the director of Boise’s Parks and Recreation Department, is set to retire Oct. 31. Holloway, 64, has worked for the city for 24 years, serving on its Parks and Recreation Commission from 1994 to 1999 and officially joining the city in 2001 as its recreation superintendent. He led efforts to develop new parks, including Boise’s Whitewater Park and expansions of several of the city’s “Ribbon of Jewels” parks along the Boise River Greenbelt.
Under Holloway’s leadership, the department added about 25 parks as part of the city’s initiative to ensure every resident had a park within a 10-minute walk from their home. The department has also increased the number of scholarships it offers for kids’ and adults’ programming, according to the release.
“Doug’s fingerprints are visible in every corner of our city,” McLean said in the release. “I am grateful future generations will continue to benefit from his leadership and commitment to a vision of parks, open space, affordable recreational opportunities, and pathway connections for all Boiseans.”
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 2:35 PM.
