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City names new public works chief

By TRIGIE EALEY
Journal staff writer

The City of Alexandria has named Richard J. Baier of Clearwater, Fla. its
new director of transportation and environmental services.

As the top public works official, who will begin his job Feb. 1, Baier will
oversee construction and repair of the city's streets, sidewalks and sewers
as well as operations of the city's computerized traffic signal system.

``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."

A registered professional engineer, Baier was public works director and city
engineer in Clearwater, a city of 105,000 residents. He managed more than
3,000 employees, an operating budget of $45 million and a capital
improvement plan budget of $32 million.

In Alexandria, with an estimated 121,700 residents, Baier will oversee 257
employees and an operating budget of about $27.9 million.

Baier's salary will be $113,366.

Baier, 36, holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's
degree in engineering management from the University of South Florida in
Tampa.

He 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.

The department's former director, Thomas F. O'Kane Jr., resigned Sept. 15
after 11 years on the job. He took a job as county engineer in Charlotte
County, Fla.

David Ruller, the department's deputy director, has been acting director
since O'Kane departed.