FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dan Smith has been selected as Springfield’s Public Works Director, effective Dec. 1. He currently serves as Greene County Highway Administrator and is responsible for all operations of the Greene County Highway Department. The Department maintains 1,250 miles of roadway, including 200 bridges, with an annual budget of $25 million. Smith began his career in MoDOT’s Springfield District in 1993 and worked in both the Design and Traffic Engineering Departments. In 2002, he began working for the Greene County Highway Department as a Project Manager before being promoted to Assistant Highway Administrator in 2003 and ultimately Highway Administrator in 2005. Dan received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Missouri S&T in 1992 and is a licensed Professional Engineer. "We feel very fortunate to have Dan Smith joining our team at the City,” said City Manager Greg Burris. “We were very honored to have the ‘cream of the crop’ apply for this position -- the best of the city, county, state, and private sector. Dan rose to the top and I believe he'll be very responsive to the citizens of Springfield." The City advertised nationwide for a replacement for the Public Works director position after Phil Broyles passed away earlier this year. Burris said he would like to thank Kirk Juranas and Jonathan Gano, who have served the City well as interim co-directors of the department. After receiving input from Public Works staff on characteristics they felt important in a director, a selection committee reviewed 23 applications and three finalists participated in a day-long interview process that included meetings with the Public Works department staff, the City’s Leadership Team and City Manager Burris. The selection committee included Deputy City Manager Tim Smith, Assistant City Manager Collin Quigley, Director of Environmental Services Steve Meyer, P.E., Director of Human Resources Sheila Maerz, Fred Palmerton, P.E., representing private engineering practice and Cliff Kennedy, retired owner of Kennedy Contractors, Inc., representing contractors. “The Leadership Team at the City of Springfield is first class, and I count it a privilege to join them,” Dan Smith said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve our community in this new capacity.” Smith’s salary will be $114,000. # # # For more information, contact Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement at 417-864-1009 or Sheila Maerz, Director of Human Resources, at 417-864-1601. Media: Dan Smith is available for interviews at 2 p.m. today or Tuesday morning.
