Politics & Government
Gaithersburg Appoints New Public Works Director
Michael Johnson says he looks forward to working for "a thriving city under great leadership."
Gaithersburg City Manager Tony Tomasello announced the appointment of Michael Johnson as Gaithersburg’s Public Works Director. The position has been vacant since the retirement of Jim Arnoult in the fall of 2013.
“An exhaustive national search brought Michael to the forefront of candidates,” said Tomasello. “His experience in capital projects management was a key determining factor as the near future in Gaithersburg anticipates significant building renovations and new facility construction. I look forward to Michael bringing a new perspective to the internal management of the Public Works Department and his approach to enhancing services in our community.”
Engineering Services Division Chief Ollie Mumpower has been serving as Acting Director in the interim.
“I am enthusiastic about joining the City of Gaithersburg team and am honored to have been selected,” said Johnson. “This is a thriving city under great leadership, and I look forward to contributing to the developmental vision for Gaithersburg. My family and I will enjoy becoming members of the Gaithersburg community and actively participating in its social, cultural and civic affairs.”
Johnson has worked for city of East Orange, New Jersey (pop. 64,000) since 2003, starting as Assistant Director and Chief Engineer before being promoted to his current position as Director of Public Works and Chief Engineer in 2008.
He has concurrently held the title of Acting Executive Director of Water Utility since February of 2013.
As Public Works Director, Johnson developed and implemented a $12 million annual operating budget and a $25 million five-year capital program with a staff of more than 100 full time equivalent positions.
As the Water Utility Director, Johnson was responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of a 10 million gallon per day potable water pumping station and distribution system, and was responsible for directing the design of air-stripping water quality improvements to remove chlorinated volatile organic compounds.
He has extensive experience inspecting railroad bridges, parking decks, electrical substations and other special structures throughout the New York metropolitan area, working for such firms as Lichtenstein Engineers, LLP, Vollmer Associates, LLP, CTE Engineers, and Hardesty & Hanover, LLP.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the City College of New York, and a Master of Science in Operations Research from Columbia University. Johnson is a Certified Municipal Engineer in the State of New Jersey, and is a voting member of the American Society of Civil Engineers Infrastructure Systems Committee.
Gaithersburg’s Director of Public Works is appointed by the City Manager and oversees a department of approximately 90 full time equivalent positions with an approved FY14 operating budget of $12.6 million.
Johnson is expected to begin on May 12 and his starting salary will be $125,000.
For more information see the city's website.