Twelve South King Fire and Rescue members were honored at a badge pinning ceremony last week to celebrate their recent promotions within the department.

Three were promoted to the assistant chief rank: Gordon Goodsell, Dave Mataftin and Kevin Crossen.

Moving up in the ranks to driver engineer are Jacob Czekanski, Terrence Miller and William Mainaga. Those promoted to lieutenant include Randy White, Nick Kostelecky, Daniel Peterson, Shannon Oltman, Jason Tupa and Robert Bryant.

Family and friends of each honoree, along with South King officials and other community members, gathered at Station 62 on July 23.

“The greatest leaders possess a potent combination of strategy and character, but if you must be without one, be without strategy,” said IAFF Local 2024 president Layne Winter at the ceremony.

The function of leadership is to produce more leaders — not followers, he added.

These individuals have spent hundreds of hours each year training for their new ranking and perfecting their craft, South King wrote on social media.

“These individuals come to work every day with a growth mindset and are eager to learn as well as share their own knowledge and experience.”

Lt. Shannon Oltman receives her pin from her mother on July 23. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo

IAFF Local 2024 President Layne Winter speaks at South King’s pinning ceremony. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo

Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue