Brooklyn Park's operations and maintenance director, Jon Thiel, was recently named the 2008 Director of the Year by the Minnesota Public Works Association.
The statewide award recognizes a director for innovation and excellence in the public works field.
When Thiel started with the city in 1990, no street seal coating had been done for several years. Only 40 percent of the city's streets were rated adequate.
Thiel helped develop a 15-year public works funding plan and worked to keep costs low. Now, more than 90 percent of Brooklyn Park's streets are rated adequate, according to a city news release.
At a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Lampi said Thiel "has proven himself to be an extraordinary public works leader. We, as a community, appreciate his dedication, passion and leadership abilities."
JIM ADAMS
