Dave began his career at the City of Kent over 25 years ago in a temporary Engineering Technician position that was slated to last only three weeks.  Fortunately for us, the City has always had a great eye for talent and made the smart investment of offering Dave his first full time position in his chosen career field.  Not one to second guess a good thing, Dave quickly made the City his work home, accepting a permanent position as an Engineer I in the Operations and Maintenance Division of Public Works.  Dave advanced quickly in his first three years here, promoting to Utility Engineer and subsequently to the Utility Engineer Supervisor position before earning his way to his current role as Deputy Public Works Director, Operations and Maintenance Manager. In addition to his extensive experience, Dave is a licensed professional civil engineer and proponent for continued education, obtaining a Water Distribution Manager 4 certification and a commercial driver’s license (CDL) while in his current role. 

Dave came by his drive to serve his community naturally, following his mother, an administrative professional in the Kent School District, into public service. Kent is Dave’s hometown and he can remember when The Lakes development on S 240th St was just a cornfield known for the ultralight planes that used it as a runway.  Dave is a proud product of the Kent School District in which he spent his scholastic career, graduating from Kentridge. After high school, Dave worked his way through college as a custodian in the very same school district he graduated from, working summers there before obtaining an internship at the City of Tumwater’s Public Works Department.  All his hard work paid off when he completed his undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering, and his graduate degree, a Master of Engineering Management (MEM), both from Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington.  

Dave is responsible for the operation and maintenance of City infrastructure systems.  These systems include transportation and signage; water supply, treatment, and distribution; wastewater and storm water collection, pumping, and conveyance; vegetation management; fleet services and warehousing.  He oversees a team of approximately 130 staff members who are responsible for maintaining these systems; working alongside them to ensure the highest quality of service.  Dave and his Public Works Operations crews are all emergency designated personnel, making them first responders for infrastructure in Kent.  When something goes wrong and essential services are impacted, Dave is there, day or night, with his team ready to respond to any situation.  

If you want to catch Dave off the clock, you’ll have to move quickly! Dave keeps busy in his off hours; hiking, working on his property, or enjoying the day with Brandy, his chocolate Labrador Retriever and favorite hiking partner.  Dave attributes his love of the outdoors due to his time in Scouting, where he earned the rank of an Eagle Scout.  He is thankful for the investment of time by the adults in his community whose guidance nurtured the affection for the outdoors that he still holds today. Dave enjoys hiking so much that he is one of the few who has completed the Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). 

Dave is known for his dedication to the community and to his Operations team.  He has a passion for improving the lives of those he encounters, and it shows.