Santa Barbara Appoints New Public Works Director
Source: City of Santa Barbara
Following a nationwide executive recruitment process, City Administrator Paul Casey has appointed Clifford Maurer, P.E. as Public Works Director to begin on August 9, 2021. He was selected from a pool of 55 candidates from across the country. He is currently the Director of Public Services & Engineering for the City of Coronado where he served since 2014.
As Public Works Director, he will oversee the City’s largest department with nearly 300 employees and a total budget of $152 million. The Public Works Department includes the City’s water and wastewater utilities, street maintenance, capital project design and construction, fleet services, downtown parking, and maintenance of over 100 City buildings and facilities.
Mr. Maurer brings a strong background in facilities management, sustainable practices, energy management, contracting and procurement. Prior to municipal service, he was the commanding officer for two Naval Facilities Engineering Commands, including the Navy’s largest unit overseeing all naval facilities in the Southwest United States. That command oversaw 3,300 professionals and over $3 billion in projects per year.
He received a Bachelor’s degree from Oceanography from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from University of California, Berkeley. He also completed an Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. He has served on one university and two corporate advisory boards in the fields of energy and sustainability. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and American Public Works Association.
Clifford Maurer said, “I am excited and honored to have the privilege to join the City of Santa Barbara team. I look forward to working with the dedicated men and women of Public Works in delivering world-class services to the residents, businesses and guests of this iconic City.”
According to City Administrator Paul Casey, “Cliff has unique and impressive skills that would benefit the Public Works Department. I am confident that he will bring fresh ideas and leadership to the Department.”
Cliff Maurer (courtesy photo)
9 Comments
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Jun 25, 2021 11:42 AMSounds like a great choice!
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Jun 25, 2021 11:47 AMSounds like another slap in the face of in house staff. If so, that could be progress as PW has become pretty dogmatic over the years. Think a Navy guy is going to loosen them up???
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Jun 25, 2021 11:49 AMWell, Rebecca Bjork has moved on (and up) so having someone new should be very helpful. He's Navy and UC Berkeley!
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Jun 25, 2021 12:27 PMNepotism, favoritism and poor performance go hand in hand within a bureaucracy like PW. Its always best to bring in new blood to help reduce the fiefdoms that decades of mediocrity creates. Also, keeps the slackers on their toes and assures that the changes are done objectively.
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Jun 25, 2021 12:41 PMNaval Academy, Cal and Wharton. Why can't they every find qualified candidates?? (scream the SB loonies)
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Jun 25, 2021 07:47 PMAgree w that 100% Jimbo
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Jun 25, 2021 04:17 PMHallelujah! With a military background he should raise the standards at the City l, put an emphasis on ethics, and transparency.
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Jun 25, 2021 09:37 PMHis resume is stunning and I'm not referring just to the military aspect. I have relatively high hopes. And I'm an ex-county employee. ;-)
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Jun 26, 2021 09:03 PMMost of the department is well ordered and managed. Bringing in new blood and common sense will be refreshing to see a short leash over public works. Looks like the ol boys will have to fall in line.
Great timing with the new Director of Community Services. Hopefully some of the most divisive entrenchment is behind us.