CPSE appoints Fire Chief Michael Cunningham, Ph.D., CFO, to the Commission on Professional Credentialing representing CFOs who are agency heads protecting populations 250,000+.
Michael Cunningham, Ph.D. serves as Fire Chief of Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services, where he provides executive leadership for a large, metropolitan all-hazards fire department. Since joining the organization in 2005, Chief Cunningham has progressed through the ranks, bringing a strong emphasis on organizational effectiveness, operational readiness, and leadership development. In his current role, he oversees strategic planning, policy direction, and department-wide initiatives that support continuous improvement and professional excellence.
Chief Cunningham holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University, along with multiple technical and professional degrees. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government EXCEL Management Development Program. He also completed the Leadership Cobb program through the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
Chief Cunningham is committed to advancing professionalism in the fire service through accreditation, credentialing, and leadership development.
Chief Cunningham earned his Chief Fire Officer designation in 2022.