The director of Iowa’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management and former chief operating officer, who also previously served as director of the state’s Department of Transportation, will become the City of Greeley’s next Public Works director.
City Manager Roy Otto announced today the appointment of Paul Trombino III following a national search.
“Mr. Trombino’s extensive public service and leadership experience along with a successful track record make him an ideal fit for the position,” Otto said. “I’m pleased to welcome him to the city’s executive team.”
For the past year, Trombino oversaw Iowa’s emergency management functions in a governor-appointed role. His focus on critical operational issues included responding to historic floods, the pandemic and a severe windstorm last August that will become the state’s costliest natural disaster. As Iowa’s chief operating officer, he also led strategic business initiatives to improve enterprise collaboration and productivity.
Trombino previously served as president of an engineering consulting company after five-plus years of leading Iowa’s Department of Transportation, where he developed and implemented organizational process improvements and a strategy that accelerated construction projects resulting in substantial cost savings.
His public service experience also includes 17 years with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, where his roles included director of Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Rails and Harbors; operations director for the Highway Division; director of the Bureau of Statewide Structures; and manager of Highway Contracts and Bid Letting.
Among his academic credentials, Trombino earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from UW-Madison.
As director and member of the City of Greeley’s executive team, Trombino will provide leadership and strategic direction for Public Works, focusing on priorities and implementing recommendations from an organizational assessment to accommodate the needs of the growing community. He also will oversee critical infrastructure operations that include civil engineering, storm water utility, the city’s facilities management and maintenance, and transportation services – traffic, streets, public parking and city fleet.
“I am excited to join the City of Greeley team, and specifically, Public Works at this transformational time of city growth. I look forward to delivering operational excellence each day for Greeley residents and businesses,” said Trombino, whose first day at the city will be June 14.
Trombino enters at a pivotal moment in the city’s history with upcoming projects that include renewal of the Keep Greeley Moving tax initiative that provides critical funding for transportation infrastructure, and completion of the transportation master plan.
An organizational assessment of Public Works that concluded last year provided direction for the department’s structure. Former director Joel Hemesath transitioned into a new role with the city as deputy director to allow him more time to devote to core operations, including capital and construction projects.
“This new structure strengthens the department by supporting the day-to-day priorities while thinking strategically as a unified team,” Otto said. “My thanks to Joel for his continued service, expertise, versatility and flexibility.”