Page 13 - NovDec2021 Vol39No5

OAK RIDGE By Lauren Gray
Berge Named Oak Ridge PW Director

The City of Oak Ridge has named Patrick Berge as its new Public Works
Director.
Berge, who previously served as Oak Ridge Public Works Utility Manager, has
served as Interim Public Works Director since former Director Shira McWaters
passed away in June. He begins this role immediately.
He has overseen all water and wastewater operations since 2018. He will
now assume all Public Works operations including streets, stormwater, and
engineering.
“As the next Public Works Director, I’m looking forward to continuing Shira’s
hard work. Public Works has many major projects in progress, our biggest one
being the new water plant,” he said.
Among Berge’s many certifications, he is a Professional Engineer of
Environmental Engineering in both the State of Tennessee and State of Nebraska.
“I have been extremely impressed with Patrick Berge as he has picked up
the Public Works reins and professionally responded to difficult situations. His
leadership has been supported by Public Works employees and the department is
eager to support him during a very busy time for major projects within the City
of Oak Ridge,” said Oak Ridge City Manager Dr. Mark Watson.
Berge previously worked with the Nebraska Department of Environmental
Quality as a Program Specialist and with the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, as an
associate engineer. He also worked for Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) as an
Engineer in operations.
He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s in Civil
Engineering in 2005 and completed his Master’s in Environmental Engineering in
2006.
Berge was sworn in this fall at a City Council meeting.

View online at tnpublicworks.com 13