APWA names 16 to 10th Emerging Leaders Academy

Updated Nov 9, 2016

apwa logoThe American Pubic Works Association (APWA) has selected 16 public works employees for its 2016-2017 Emerging Leaders Academy Program, a year-long program that provides “intensive” leadership and management training within the public works field.

This is the tenth class for the program. Candidates selected have worked in public works for 10 years or less at public or private agencies and have “demonstrated an interest in advancing their careers within the profession.”

“The APWA Emerging Leaders program provides a year-long experience that includes a two-day retreat held in Kansas City, Missouri, and monthly one-hour conference calls, program-related assignments, attendance at the APWA PWX (Public Works Expo – annual conference) in Orlando in 2017, and completion of a class project on a key public works topic,” says APWA President Ron Calkins, of Ventura, California. “It encourages professional growth through a strong network of peers, and offers an in-depth introduction to APWA at the national, chapter and branch levels.”

Coordinators for the program this year are Susan M. Hann, director of planning and project management for Brevard Public Schools in Malabar, Florida, and Diane M. Linderman, managing director for Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Incorporated in Richmond, Virginia.

Those selected for the APWA Emerging Leaders Academy Class X include:

  • Chris Anderson, Public Works Manager, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
  • Eduardo Balderas, Emergency Management Specialist, Rowlett, Texas
  • Emmalee J. Browne, Civil Engineer, Green Bay, Wisconsin
  • Vincent B. Hellens, Jr, ENV SP, Project Engineer, Psomas Engineering, Los Angeles, California
  • Steven Johnson, Public Works Operations Manager – Sewers, Des Moines, Iowa
  • Angela Jordan, Engineering Tech II – Stormwater, Rock Hill, South Carolina
  • Byron Kutz, PE, LEED AP, Assistant Village Engineer, Oak Park, Illinois
  • Matthew Lew, PE, LEED Green Assoc., Civil Engineer II, Lombard, Illinois
  • Jeremy L. Peck, Superintendent of Streets, Lakeville, Massachusetts
  • William R. Plexico, Maintenance Specialist III, Rowlett, Texas
  • Sarah G. Terry, Assistant Consultant, LA Consulting, Inc., Manhattan Beach, California
  • Nick Voss, PE, Project Engineer, Lawrence, Kansas
  • Mike Walker, Manager – Roads & Streets, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
  • Brian White, Fleet Systems Manager, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Samantha H. Yager, Recycling Coordinator, Columbia, South Carolina
  • AbdulRasak T. Yahaya, BE Civil, Staff Engineer, Gardiner, Kansas