Page 16 - March-April25 Vol42 No7

TOWN OF FARRAGUT
Public Works Spotlight: Will Wiley

Public Works Director

First, tell us about yourself, your with 11 years dedicated
career, and your family. to the public sector.
I was born and raised in Southeast I’ve had the privilege
Michigan and later moved to San Diego of being involved in
with my family. I’ve known my wife over $1 billion worth
since the sixth grade, but we didn’t start of school construction,
dating until after high school. We’ve guiding projects
now been together for 30 years. from conception to
We have two daughters: Grace, who completion.
is 9 and a 1st-degree black belt in Throughout these
taekwondo, and Claire, who is 13 and a experiences, I’ve
3rd-degree black belt. We homeschool developed a strong
our girls and make traveling a key part of passion for working
their education, exploring the beauty and collaboratively with
diversity our country has to offer. It was internal and external
during our travels that we discovered and customers, as well
fell in love with East Tennessee. as partnering with
Share your official title and what duties professionals to bring
you currently perform, etc. projects to fruition.
I serve as the Public Works Director for How did you find
the Town of Farragut. Our Public Works out about TCAPWA,
Team is responsible for maintaining and and how did you get
repairing all vehicles and equipment, involved initially?
facility upkeep, right-of-way mowing and When did you join?
maintenance, storm drain maintenance, When I started with the Town of Battin. This recognition means more
street repairs including curbs and Farragut, it was already a member of to me than even earning my degree.
gutters, sidewalk maintenance, snow TCAPWA. I had heard a lot of positive I remain truly humbled by it, as I’ve
removal, street sweeping, and greenway feedback about the organization and always felt I was simply doing my job
maintenance. Together, we work to received plenty of encouragement to to the best of my ability. Receiving such
ensure the town operates efficiently and get involved and become an active an acknowledgment (for something I
remains a safe, clean, and welcoming participant. view as my responsibility) is both deeply
community for all. How does Town of Farragut support gratifying and incredibly humbling.
How long have you worked in Public your involvement with TCAPWA? Editor’s note: Will Wiley is only the
Works, previous jobs, etc. The Town of Farragut supports my second Public Works Director in the
I have worked in Public Works involvement and other members in history of the Town of Farragut. His
for six years, but my career began in our Public Works by paying for the predecessor, Bud McKelvey, director since
public education, where I served as membership and allowing time away 1987 (before they even had an official
an Assistant Director, Director, and from the town for travel and attendance Public Works Department), transitioned
Executive Director. Over the years, I’ve of meetings. into the role of Senior Project Manager in
led teams ranging in size from 10 to 200. Any commendations or awards? October of 2024. McKelvey looks forward
With 25 years of experience in What I take great pride in is being to full retirement from the Town on May 2
building and maintenance, most of my honored with the Community Partner of this year. I’m sure he will find plenty of
career has been in the private sector, of the Year award from Senator Jim activities to keep himself busy.

If you would like to suggest someone for a Public Works Spotlight, please reach out. We understand this is a
popular feature of the magazine and want to keep it going. Your nominee can be anyone in the Public Works
field - municipal or business/industry employee. Thank you in advance for pointing us in the direction of
someone you think has an interesting story to tell. Email us at info@tnpublicworks.com

16 TPW March/April 2025