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he shares stories about the one-of-a-kind serving in an official APWA capacity,
experiences that he has had with fellow he plans to enhance his participation
City of Memphis employees. He’s been and service in the future. He said his
married for 12 years to his wife, Erica, biggest benefits from APWA come from
who is a Registered Nurse and holds applying the knowledge he’s gained
her MSN degree. His daughter Kayla in seminars and technical sessions to
recently obtained her MBA, and daughter improve his departments, and that he’s
Leila, 15, is a high school student with a shared experiences of fellow Public Works
promising future ahead of her. professionals in other communities.
Additional Education Brings More In August 2016, he was promoted
Opportunity to the position of Environmental
In 2009 Spencer obtained his Associate Inspections Manager, where his duties
Degree in Business Administration, included oversight of the day-to-day
changing paths from Public Works service operation of stoppage trucks clearing
to the Memphis Fire Department as a manhole overflows, unstopping sewer
Firefighter. While there, he obtained his backups at residential homes, performing
EMT and Paramedic Licenses. He worked preventative maintenance on the sanitary
with Memphis Fire until November of sewer system, and working with a
2013, when he accepted the position of top-notch sewer inspections team that
Shift Supervisor for the Division of Public inspected interceptors and televised
Works. residential service lines and mainlines to
Back in Public Works, Spencer identify sewer issues.
to pursue educational and advancement Discovers APWA Street Maintenance Administrator
opportunities throughout his career. He Back in Public Works, Spencer was In May 2020, Spencer moved into his
credits his success ultimately to his desire responsible for the night shift sewer current position of Street Maintenance
to share and support those same qualities stoppage operation and held that position Administrator, where he oversees more
with the Public Works professionals who until 2016. It was during this time that he than 100 staff in two departments,
worked for and around him. was introduced to APWA, joining in 2015 Street Maintenance and Right of Way
With a truly faithful servant’s heart, after attending a TCAPWA conference. Maintenance.
Spencer counts the blessings of his Since that time, he has attended several Street Maintenance is responsible for
career, not on his efforts alone, but in the TCAPWA conferences. over 6,800 lane miles of roadway, where
foundation of serving others well, and in He credits his opportunities to the department workers produce their own
growing with every opportunity and every support given employees by the City of asphalt in-house and pave residential and
challenge. Memphis, and to the city’s encouragement collector streets. They also repair potholes,
perform cut-and-patch repairs, assist with
Family Challenges and Blessings to be active and engage in APWA. He keeping roadways safe during inclement
Gerald also credits his family in their has served the chapter by assisting with weather events, and generally manage
guidance and support of his career in the planning and setup for Equipment maintenance and safety throughout the
public service. Spencer lost his son Rodeos for both the City of Memphis roadway network.
Gertavious, when he passed away at the competitions during NPWW events and Right of Way Maintenance maintains
young age of 27, in May 2020. Throughout the chapter’s annual conference. medians, right of ways and alleys, and
that difficult time, Spencer said he felt the Supporting West Branch assists with cleaning up illegal dump sites.
loving and caring support of his Public Spencer also serves locally by helping Both departments also handle several
Works family. plan and organize local West Branch other city concerns, serving the public
He says family members often smile as TCAPWA events. While currently not daily as needed.

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