Cleaves to retire as YCEMA director
ALFRED, Maine – York County Emergency Management Agency Director Arthur “Art” Cleaves has announced he will retire from the position on January 1.
Cleaves, who took the helm of the agency in January 2015, will be much missed in the role, York County Commissioners said as they accepted his decision on at their meeting Wednesday, Oct. 21.
“I think everybody should retire at some point - but not you,” Commissioner Richard Clark said with a smile. He thanked Cleaves for his work over the past 11 years: “I appreciate what you've done; thank you for what you have done for the county.”
Cleaves has led the agency through multiple milestones in York County: The YCEMA team mobilized in 2021 to open a COVID-19 vaccination site that dispensed more than 100,000 vaccines; the agency under Cleaves’ leadership in early 2024 coped with punishing coastal storms that ripped away dunes and caused massive erosion - and found ways to mitigate the damage. Cleaves and the team worked hard to get York County’s dredge program up-and-running to aid in the coastal recovery, among many other initiatives. Early in his tenure at YCEMA, in 2015, the agency instituted its first drone acquisition that is vital to first responders in search and rescue operations and with hazardous materials incidents when it isn’t safe to place people in the area.
His name is synonymous with emergency management. Cleaves became administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s New England region in 2005, and oversaw 34 major disaster declarations, including the Patriot’s Day Storm in 2007 and the 2008 ice storm.
Earlier, he spent 30 years with the Maine Army National Guard, retiring as a colonel, and directed the Maine Emergency Management Agency and the state’s Homeland Security office.
He worked in Haiti after an earthquake and served as liaison for FEMA and coordinated recovery operations for the New York Office of Emergency Management following Hurricane Sandy.
“I want to thank you all for all of that you've done for York County,” said Commissioner Donna Ring. “I've been here a long time, and I know what you've done for EMA and for the county, and it's second to none. I appreciate everything that you've done.”
“You've been a really steady hand in lifting up…so many vulnerable communities that have really needed help in some dark moments,” said Commissioner Justin Chenette, particularly noting work carried out in coastal regions. “York County EMA is there, always.”
“You’re the heart and soul…. and I just thank you for everything you've done for this county,” said Commission Vice Chair Robert Andrews.
“People often joke about “who do we call,” and its always “1-800-CALL-ART,” said York County Manager Greg Zinser.
Zinser said he has learned a lot from Cleaves, like the value and power of building relationships. “It's those relationships that you rely when you are trying to get something done,” said Zinser.
YCEMA Deputy Director Megan Arsenault will serve as Interim Director following Cleaves’ retirement until next steps are determined.
“With all of my work in life I have been driven by tasks and missions at hand to make people more prepared for emergencies, and help after a disaster,” said Cleaves, reflecting on his career over the years. “This is bittersweet. I am engaged every day…. the goals here are compelling, and I want always to contribute.”
