Shandaken Chief of Ambulance Services Richard Muellerleile is retiring after nearly 15 years in the role to focus on his family and family business, Star Gas Products. Deputy Chief Mike Williams will serve as interim chief.
Muellerleile, who also served as a town firefighter and worked as an EMS coordinator for Ulster County, announced his retirement at Monday’s Shandaken Town Board meeting. His retirement takes effect Friday.
“Running an advanced life support ambulance agency is definitely something that takes a lot,” he said. “Ultimately it came down to being able to do this position justice.”
Star Gas has operated in the Hudson Valley since 1947 and was run by Muellerleile’s grandfather and father. With his father getting older and the company recently expanding into Ulster County, Muellerleile said he decided it was time to focus more fully on the business.
“For more than 25 years, I spent my career caring for the wellbeing of others,” Muellerleile said. “I’ll also have the opportunity to devote the same commitment and sense of responsibility to my family’s business and its future.”
During Muellerleile’s tenure, the department grew from two full-time and eight part-time employees to seven full-time and 17 part-time employees.
“I spent a lifetime trying to keep every place I served a little bit better than I found it,” Muellerleile said. “I believe we made it a whole lot better, and it’s been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Muellerleile will continue to work as a part-time paramedic in Shandaken.
Williams has served as deputy chief for three years and has worked as a paramedic in Shandaken since 2008.
“I respect everything that Rich has done,” Williams said. “I’m happy to take the reins that he has turned over and fly high with it.”
Williams said his experience and Muellerleile’s mentorship prepared him for the role.
“Taking over any leadership role comes with tolls,” he said. “Rich taught me a lot. He taught me everything I need to know about this job.”
Kyle Bredberg is an intern and contributing reporter. You can reach him at reporting@theoverlooknews.com.
