Richfield's Public Works Director Named as a Top Leader in the Field

Editor's Note: All the following information was taken from an American Public Works Association (APWA) press release.

The American Public Works Association (APWA) announced Mike Eastling, director of Richfield Public Works, as one of the 2011 Top 10 Public Works Leaders of the Year. Each Top Ten Public Works Leader will be honored during the Awards Ceremony as part of the APWA 2011 International Public Works Congress & Exposition Sept. 18-21, 2011 in Denver.

Eastling will also be presented the award locally on May 11, 2011 by APWA President George Crombie, MPA, BPEE, at the Minnesota Chapter Spring Conference located in Nisswa, MN.

Eastling has worked for the city since 1980; first as the assistant city engineer and later progressing to city engineer. Eastling has been the city's public works director since 1997. As the department director, he has an overall responsibility for providing policy and technical direction for public works services including engineering, streets, forestry, park maintenance, fleet, water, wastewater, and stormwater.

While his role in so many of the city's projects has been instrumental in shaping the city, Richfield Community Development Director John Stark said Eastling's overall approach to improving his profession and the community he works in is more important than any one project.

"He is more supportive of professional development and shepherding employees from internship to management than any other public employee I’ve known," Stark said.

For more information on APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Leaders, go to APWA National Awards Program web page at: apwa.net/awards.