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The following year, Mills was named “This new 170-foot-tall, 500,000-gallon He particularly enjoys mentoring
assistant superintendent of streets, during water tower will bring the security of others.
which he developed a revolutionary redundancy and will sustain the resiliency “One of my favorite professional tasks
technique for establishing the back forms of our water system,” said Mills, who has been to serve 19 years as an instructor
for concrete curb and gutter re-pours that oversees the design and construction of for the Tennessee Chapter’s Public Works
has since saved the City tens of thousands the $4.6 million tower. Institute,” Mills said. “I teach several
of dollars over the years and is still in use Giving back in more ways than one modules. I really enjoy sharing my
today. experiences with the class members.”
In 1992, Mills became the City’s Solid Outside the office, Mills is just as When he’s not immersed in the world
Waste Coordinator. He also returned to passionate about improving quality of life of Public Works, Mills is enjoying life
school and obtained his master’s degree in for the community. He’s been an APWA and the great outdoors with his wife of 38
Public Administration from the University member since 1989, serving as president years, Patricia, with whom he has three
of Memphis. In 1997, he was promoted of the Tennessee Chapter in 2004, Region children and seven grandchildren. In his
to the position of Assistant Public Works III Director (Mid-Atlantic, Tennessee, community of Drummonds, he is active
Director and in 2004, he became Public Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina as the Sunday school superintendent and
Works Director. Chapters) from 2010 to 2015, and national the church administrative council chair
“The City has been blessed to have Bo president from 2017 to 2018. As national for Randolph United Methodist Church,
serve his entire career within the Public president, he presented at the U.S. House where he also mows the lawn, cares for
Works department of our organization,” of Representatives’ Public Works Caucus the flower beds and handles internal
City Administrator Jason Huisman said. on five occasions. maintenance.
“During his tenure, Bo has worked, “Professionally, this service stands as Mills is also the trustee for Randolph
supervised, managed and performed at the my greatest accomplishment. Personally, Community Cemetery and an active
highest level of excellence in almost every this is among the most important things participant in the Keep Tipton County
facet of the Public Works Department.” I’ve ever accomplished,” he said of his time Clean campaign, through which he
Mills says one of his most important as president of the organization. maintains a stretch of roadway dedicated
decisions and proudest accomplishments Along the way, he also served on to his late father, Barney Mills.
is his ultimately successful, decades-long a lengthy list of APWA’s boards and “We like to point out that Tennessee is
push for a second elevated water tank, now committees. Additionally, Mills is a two- the Volunteer State. While we first earned
under construction off Forest Hill Irene term past president of the Memphis/Mid- that nickname around a century ago,
Road, just south of Poplar Pike. Currently, South Chapter of the American Society we still believe we earn it over and over
the entire City-wide water system is for Public Administration. again each day,” said Mark Miller, chapter
governed by and pressurized by one Throughout his career, Mills has won administrator of the Tennessee Chapter of
elevated water tank. Concerned about the numerous awards, including the Kiwanis APWA. “Perhaps one of the best examples
consequences of a possible failure of that Club of Germantown Public Servant of Tennessee-style volunteerism that I see
tank, Mills spent years urging the BMA of the Year Award (2006 - 2007) and in Public Works is Bo Mills. He has given
for another one. In 2020, he was finally the APWA Outstanding Service Award us 110% and has been a great ambassador
successful. (September 2019), to name just two. for our profession.”

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