Page 8 - May-June2025 Vol 43 No 1

TOWN OF COLLIERVILLE
Public Works Spotlight: Josh Russell

Public Works Director

First, tell us about yourself, your career, Works?
and your family. This is my 18th
My name is Josh Russell, and I began year working in
working for the Town of Collierville Public Works. All
in February 2007. I have been happily 18 years have been
married to my wife, Jodi, for 17 years. We with the Town of
have two boys: Braden (15 years old, 9th Collierville. After high
grade) and Easten (12 years old, 6th grade). school graduation, I
Both kids play football and basketball for worked in agriculture
their school. We spend most of our time for approximately one
supporting the boys in school and sports, year before joining the
but we also enjoy going to the lake for Town as a Maintenance
watersports and camping. Worker in the Parks
Share your official title and what duties and Recreation
you currently perform. Maintenance Division.
My official title is Public Works Director. I was hired to mow and maintain right-of- My former Director (Bill Kilp)
I am responsible for future budget/project ways due to my background in agriculture and Operations Manager (John Fox)
planning and the daily oversight of the and heavy equipment operation. introduced me to TCAPWA. I attended my
department. In 2010, I was promoted to Sign first conference in 2014 and began getting
Public Works in the Town of Technician in the Streets and Drainage involved from there.
Collierville consists of Public Works Division, where I was responsible for During your time with TCAPWA what
Administration, Streets and Drainage, maintaining approximately 10,000 street involvement have you had?
Sanitation, Fleet Services, Facilities signs. I have been a regular attendee of the
Maintenance, and Grounds and Parks In 2013, I was promoted to Assistant TCAPWA conferences since 2014. I have
Maintenance. Currently we have 131 Division Manager in the Sanitation attended the Maintenance Technologies
employees in the Town of Collierville Division. I was responsible for the daily and Public Works Supervision TPWI
Public Works Department. oversight of sanitation operations (30 courses. I attend local branch meetings
Public Works Administration: Provides full-time employees and four temporary and have found this to be a great resource.
central direction to the department’s employees) and collection services for Many professional relationships have been
activities and is the first point of contact for approximately 16,000 residential and 150 established through this organization.
the public. This division manages budgets, commercial accounts. I also was involved How does your City/Company support
personnel, purchasing, and payroll. in strategic budget planning for the your involvement with TCAPWA?
Streets and Drainage: Responsible division. The Town supports my involvement
for pavement repairs, street signage, In 2021, I was promoted to Public with TCAPWA by financially supporting
drainage system construction, and other Works Director. As Director at this point me with memberships, classes, and
maintenance. in time, I was in charge of Streets and conferences.
Sanitation: Responsible for the weekly Drainage, Sanitation, Fleet Services,
collection of household waste (including and Public Works Administration. In How have you been able to transfer your
yard waste and curbside recycling) from 2024, Public Works expanded to include experience from TCAPWA to your work
16,636 residential and 187 commercial Facilities Maintenance and Grounds and in your Agency or vice versa?
accounts. Parks Maintenance. I now oversee all six When I think of transferring
Fleet Maintenance: Responsible for the divisions of Public Works. experiences, relationships built with other
maintenance of 570 Town-owned vehicles Over the past 18 years, I have been professionals in Tennessee come to mind. I
and equipment. fortunate to learn from many former have found that you can pick up the phone
Facilities Maintenance: Responsible for supervisors and managers. The Lord has at any time and call a fellow member to get
the maintenance of 495,000-square-feet of blessed me with a great family, mentors— advice or experience with certain issues. In
Town-owned facilities. both past and present—and a talented team due time, I hope to be able to return that
Grounds and Parks Maintenance: of professionals. I believe the key to success favor with other fellow directors and Public
Responsible for the maintenance of is to always stay humble and respect others. Works professionals, (as they have with me
approximately 500 acres of Town-owned How did you find out about TCAPWA, over the years.)
After all, I will be the “old wise one”
parks, trails, and green open spaces. and how did you get involved initially? someday…
How long have you worked in Public When did you join?
8 TPW May/June 2025