[Archived] Alexandria City Manager Appoints Richard J. Baier as Director Of Transportation And Enviromental Services


News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	Tuesday, December 14, 1999
Contact:	Angelita Plemmer, City Manager's Office, (703) 838-4300

Alexandria City Manager Appoints Richard J. Baier as Director Of Transportation And Enviromental Services

Alexandria City Manager Vola Lawson has announced the appointment of Richard J. Baier as the Director of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, effective February 1, 2000. As the City's top public works official, Mr. Baier will administer the City's public works programs and environmental services. His salary will be $113,366.04.

As the Public Works Director/City Engineer for the City of Clearwater, Florida since 1996, Mr. Baier brings a host of skills and professional expertise to the City of Alexandria in the areas of civil engineering, construction, transportation, solid waste, water resources and public utilities. As the head of Clearwater's largest department, Mr. Baier managed more than 300 employees and oversaw a $45 million operating budget with a Capital Improvement Plan budget of $32 million.

As the City of Alexandria's Director of Transportation and Environmental Services, Mr. Baier will oversee the department's current $27.9 million operating budget and 257 employees. Mr. Baier also will be responsible for overseeing the construction and repair of all City streets, sidewalks and sewers, as well as the operations of the City's computerized traffic signal system. He will work with staff members in his department to design all public works projects, review all private development projects and operate the City's solid waste collection system and recycling programs.

He will provide technical assistance on all of the City's major development and transportation projects including Potomac Yard, the Combined Sewer Overflow Project, the waste-to-energy plant and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. He also will provide staffing assistance to a number of City and regional commissions that deal with transportation and public works concerns.

"I am very pleased that the City of Alexandria could attract someone of Richard Baier's caliber to this extremely important post," said Alexandria City Manager Vola Lawson. "Richard has outstanding credentials as an engineer and he has an excellent track record in creating effective working relationships among residents, businesses and other community stakeholders.

"His expertise in the management of major capital projects and long-range transportation solutions will be a real asset to us," Mrs.Lawson added.

As a registered professional engineer, Mr. Baier worked closely with elected officials, community groups and Clearwater residents to coordinate the City's engineering-related projects. Under Mr. Baier's leadership, Clearwater, which boasts a population of 105,000 residents, underwent numerous infrastructure and environmental improvements with the help of millions of dollars in grant funds.

Mr. Baier, who is 36 years old, is an adjunct professor in the Mathematics Department at Hillsborough Community College in Clearwater, Florida. He is considered an expert witness for eminent domain and access management cases. Mr. Baier, who holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and a master of science degree in engineering management from the University of South Florida in Tampa, is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Transportation Engineers and past president of the Florida Engineering Society. He also possesses certification in maintenance of traffic and public management.

Mr. Baier and his wife, Kerri, a cardiac nurse, have two sons, ages 6 and 4.