After nearly 65 years of combined service to the City of Carmel, Utilities Director John Duffy and Fire Chief David Haboush have announced their upcoming retirements.
Duffy
Duffy started with the city in 1993, becoming the director of Carmel Utilities in 1996. Under his leadership, the city has overhauled and modernized its water and sewer systems and launched recycling and renewable energy initiatives leading to robust, efficient, and environmentally sustainable utilities.
Duffy has also served for many years on the city’s Climate Action Advisory Committee. His last day with the city will be on or before April 30, 2025.
“Spending the majority of my professional career with the men and women who work tirelessly for the city’s utilities department, I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my life,” Duffy said. “It has been an immense honor to lead such a skilled and hardworking team of professionals who ensure the reliable delivery of water and other vital services to our community day in and day out.”
A search for the new Utilities Director will begin immediately. Once the position has been filled, the new hire will work alongside Duffy until his retirement.
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Haboush
A professional firefighter who has served the Carmel Fire Department (CFD) for more than 32 years, Chief David Haboush was named Fire Chief in March 2015.
Under Haboush’s leadership, CFD was, once again, reaccredited by the Commission of Fire Accreditation International in March of 2024. He is also Chief Fire Officer designee through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, a graduate of the Fire Service Executive Development Institute through the International Association of Fire Chiefs and chairperson for the Hamilton County Public Safety Board (Hamilton County police and fire chiefs).
Chief Haboush is also an alumnus of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy and the IU Tobias Fellows Program.
“It has been the honor of my life to lead the brave firefighters and first responders who risk their lives day and night to protect our community,” Haboush said. “To the residents of our city, thank you for your steadfast support of our firefighters and first responders. You’ve made this job more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”
A search for a new fire chief will begin immediately. Once that position has been filled, Chief Haboush will step into the open position of Quartermaster and subsequently retire in January of 2026.
Finkam
Mayor Sue Finkam thanked both Haboush and Duffy for providing years of exemplary leadership.
“Both city servants have worked tirelessly to improve Carmel during their tenures as leaders,” Mayor Finkam said. “Our community has benefited tremendously from their experience, integrity and dedication.”