Page 12 - Sept-Oct 2024 Vol 42 No 3

GALLATIN By Richard DePriest
PW Spotlight: Richard DePriest

Superintendent, City of Gallatin Public Works

First, tell us a little about yourself, your the public sector, I spent several years
career, and your family. working for a private construction
I am 40 years old and have been company holding several positions that
married to the most supportive and included Office Manager, Safety and
loving wife, Shawna, for five years. She has Compliance Officer, and Project Manager.
blessed me with three outstanding bonus How did you find out about TCAPWA,
kids: Emily 22, Caleb 18, and Caiden 15. and how did you get involved initially?
Most people in the Public Works world When did you join?
are always surprised to learn that my I found out about TCAPWA when my
bachelor’s degree is in Criminal Justice predecessor took me to the TCAPWA
Administration, and that I worked for the Conference in 2019 and I officially joined
U.S. Border Patrol for six years right out in 2019. I have looked into and plan
of college. on becoming a Certified Public Works
Share your official title and what duties Professional-Management over the next
you perform currently, etc. year.
I am the Superintendent of Public How does your City/Company support
Works for the City of Gallatin. We are your involvement with TCAPWA?
responsible for Street Maintenance, I have made some connections with
Stormwater Maintenance, Vehicle other Public Works leaders in the Middle
and Equipment Maintenance, Facility Tennessee area. Gallatin Mayor Paige in your Agency (or vice versa)?
Maintenance, and Environmental Brown has been very supportive and I have used things I have learned
Services. We currently have 58 employees. would like for me to become even more from TCAWPA conference classes and
We have recently begun the process to involved. She understands the importance resources provided through TCAPWA to
become Accredited with APWA. I know of networking and how it will help me gain more knowledge and better serve the
it will be a lot of work, but in the end become a better leader and improve our citizens of Gallatin. I truly look forward
it will provide our department with a operations and services. to the opportunities that TCAPWA will
standardized blueprint of services we provide me in making more connections
provide, and how to continue providing How have you been able to transfer your throughout the state.
those services for many years. experience from TCAPWA to your work
How long have you worked in Public
Works, previous jobs, etc.
I have worked for Gallatin Public Works
for five and a half years. The last three
and a half years I have been in my current Population: 48,194 (2022)
position. My first two years with the city,
I served as the Assistant Superintendent County: Sumner
of Public Works. Prior to working in

TCAPWA/SWANA
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October 28-30, 2024

12 TPW September/October 2024