Operations and Maintenance Engineer Honored

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 02, 2012

Washington County's Department of Land Use and Transportation is honored to announce that the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association (OR APWA) has recognized Operations and Maintenance Division Senior Engineer Todd Watkins as the 2012 recipient of its William A. Bowes Award. The award is OR APWA's highest honor, recognizing public works leaders for their influential and positive impact on public works programs, services and policies.

Todd attended Oregon State University and Portland State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. During college he was a Cadet Engineer for Northwest Natural. He served as Staff Engineer for Global Engineering Company before joining Washington County in 1998. Todd promoted to the position of Engineering Project Manager II in the Capital Project Management Division prior to transferring to the Operations and Maintenance Division in 2004. In addition to his role as Senior Engineer, Todd is currently Interim Principal Engineer for the Operations and Maintenance Division.

Todd is known within the department for his ability to work collaboratively on programmatic needs and achieve strategic goals. His skills in addressing organization health and staffing needs and in promoting effective communication and collaboration are a recognized asset to the department. Under his direction, the Operations and Maintenance Division implemented an improved online permitting function, which streamlined and improved the customer's permit experience. Todd is also overseeing implementation of an asset management system which will help ensure cost-effective maintenance of our transportation infrastructure.

Traditionally the previous year's Bowe's Award recipient presents it to the next recipient at an APWA conference. Regrettably, the 2011 recipient, Greg Miller, passed away. However, before Greg's passing, the 2010 Bowes Award recipient, Kurt Corey, Public works Director for the City of Eugene, met with Greg, and Greg relayed his wish that Todd Watkins be the 2012 recipient. Kurt Corey presented the 2012 Bowes Award to Todd Watkins at the OR APWA fall conference.

Washington County is committed to planning, building and maintaining the best transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users, and to operating the county roadway system in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.

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