FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The City of Springfield has named Becky Baltz, Jonathan Gano and Dan Smith as the finalists for the Director of Public Works position. The public is invited to meet the finalists 5-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15 in the fourth floor conference room of the Busch Municipal Building, 840 N. Boonville. The City has advertised nationwide for a replacement for Public Works director Phil Broyles, who passed away earlier this year. A selection committee reviewed applications and selected the three finalists out of approximately 23 applicants. The selection committee includes 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. Finalists will participate in a day-long interview process that includes meeting with the Public Works department staff, the City’s Leadership Team and City Manager Greg Burris. Becky Baltz
Becky Baltz is the District Engineer for the Southwest District of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Innovation and outstanding customer service have highlighted her nine years in this position. Becky is a graduate of the Missouri University of Science and Technology where she earned degrees in both Civil Engineering and Engineering Management. During college Becky worked as a co-op student at City Utilities in Springfield, MO. After graduation she has been able to live out her passion for public service though her work at MoDOT. Becky has served in various positions, including Design, Traffic, Planning and Leadership. Becky is proud to have been named as one of the most influential women by both the Joplin Business Journal (2010) and the Springfield Business Journal (2012).
Jonathan Gano
As Interim Co-Director of Public Works, Jonathan Gano oversees the care, maintenance and construction of the City of Springfield’s infrastructure, including streets, traffic control, sidewalks, facilities, vehicles, and a cemetery. Gano has been with Public Works for ten years. He became Assistant Director in 2010 after serving as the Superintendent of Streets and working in the Street Maintenance Division. In addition to numerous local recognitions, Gano was selected from 29,000 American Public Works Association members as Young Leader of the Year for 2010. Gano is president of the board of directors for the Springfield Regional Arts Council. He also serves on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Springfield and the Springfield Community Land Trust. He holds a degree from the United States Military Academy in civil engineering and a master's degree in engineering management from the University of Missouri-Rolla. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Missouri. Dan Smith
Dan Smith is the Highway Administrator for Greene County, Missouri 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 $25,000,000. Dan 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. # # # For more information, contact: Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement, 417-864-1009 (office) | 417-380-3352 (cell), [email protected]