Page 15 - Mar-Apr24 Vol 41 No 7

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN By Wes Stokes
PW Spotlight: Wes Stokes

Public Works Director

First, tell us about yourself, your over 17 years. In 2007, I
career, and your family. Anything you cut my teeth at the City
are willing to share. of Fort Oglethorpe,
that’s right I’m a
Well, I am 37 years old, a father to a Georgia boy, starting
13-year-old rock star son, a 10-year-old out as a general laborer.
sports- driven daughter, and a 9-year- I obtained my CDLs a
old son that has an imagination worthy couple years later and
of employment at Disney’s movie by 2016, I had worked
studios. I have been married to my my way up to Public
wonderful wife Jessie for almost 17 years Works Supervisor.
and we are having the time of our lives
watching our kids being awesome! Not How did you find out
many people know this, but my wife and about APWA, and how
I used to act (before kids) at a murder did you get involved
mystery dinner theater in Chattanooga. initially? When did
It was so much fun!!! I still love to make you join APWA?
people laugh because it’s such a relief
from the craziness of this world! I found out about
APWA when my
Share your official title and what duties director took me to a
you perform currently. How many Lunch and Learn. Right
staff you have, and what departments after that lunch and
and work your team does. Also maybe learn, on our way back,
highlight a few new projects you are I told my director,
implementing or working on. “That’s my jam! I want to know more!” your work in APWA?
So, I officially joined APWA in 2016.
I am the Public Works Director for It’s all about resources. The Town
the Town of Signal Mountain. We During your time with APWA what understands that being able to connect
handle storm water, road maintenance, involvement have you had? Positions, with other municipalities is a huge
facilities maintenance, fleet, and papers, presentations, committees, benefit to our growth and learning new
sanitation. We currently have 20 conferences attended, certifications, techniques to make operations more
employees. Currently, I am still trying to classes, etc? efficient.
get my bearings. The previous director
left me with an awesome team, and I’ve served in the Northwest Georgia How have you been able to transfer
we are trying to evaluate and tackle Branch as vice-president, president, and your experience from APWA to your
some very complicated projects at the then a short stint as district director. work in your City/Company or vice
moment. We are running out of space (Only because I moved to Tennessee versa, how have you been able to take
to place brush and other yard waste, so with my employment) your experiences from your City/
we are working on implementing the I obtained my Advanced Certificate of Company to the rest of the APWA
use of an air curtain burner. The permit Public Works Management through the community?
process can be a little menacing, but the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at APWA has definitely prepared me for
end result will be very beneficial to our the University of Georgia. this incredible opportunity at the Town
operations. We are hoping to be fully of Signal Mountain. From leadership
functional by October of this year. What roles do you currently have in
APWA? classes to management training, I
How long have you worked in Public cannot begin to express the value that
Works? What have your previous jobs I am looking forward to connecting APWA has brought to my life. I am truly
been and what responsibilities did you with my local branch and seeing how I looking forward to the opportunities in
have? can serve there. the Tennessee chapter and connecting

I have worked in public works for How does your City/Company support with new people!

View online at tnpublicworks.com 15