Page 10 - MayJune2026 Vol 44 No 1

CITY OF CHATTANOOGA
Public Works Spotlight: Rick Cooper

SSA Street Maintenance Division Manager

Tell us about yourself, your career, and your standards. The manager also works
family. closely with other departments, elected
I am a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, officials, and the public to address service
and I’m proud to call this community requests, respond to storm events and
home. My wife, Tina, and I have been natural disasters, and maintain the overall
married for 43 years, and together we’ve safety, cleanliness, and functionality of the
raised two children who have blessed city’s infrastructure. Strong leadership,
us with three wonderful grandchildren. communication, and strategic planning are
Family has always been the foundation of essential to effectively guide a workforce
everything I do. of that size while maintaining high service
My career began in 1981 in the levels for the community.
transportation industry. A few years later, I How long have you worked for Public
transitioned into the utility services field to Works? What have your previous jobs been,
be closer to my family. Through hard work, and what responsibilities did you have?
consistency, and a willingness to learn, I I have worked for the City of
advanced into a supervisory role before Chattanooga for 31 years. I spent the first conferences. Over time, my participation
moving on in 1994. nine and a half years as a Crew Leader grew as I saw firsthand how the
In September 1994, I began my in the Forestry Department, where I was organization supports education,
career with the City of Chattanooga as responsible for supervising tree pruning collaboration, and the advancement of
a Crew Leader in the Urban Forestry and removal operations to help maintain Public Works professionals.
Department. Over the years, I’ve been the safety and health of the city’s urban
blessed with opportunities to grow and canopy. During your time with TCAPWA, what
serve in increasing leadership roles. Those I later transitioned to the Emergency involvement have you had?
experiences—both in the private sector and Services division as a General Supervisor, I have been actively involved at both
public service—have shaped my leadership overseeing crews responsible for the local and state levels, particularly
style and reinforced the importance of responding to road hazards and citywide through participation in the Public Works
teamwork, accountability, and serving our litter removal. After that, I served 16 Equipment Rodeo. I have supported
community with pride. years as a General Supervisor in the Solid and helped coordinate rodeo events,
Outside of work, I’m a big supporter Waste Department, where I managed encouraged employee participation, and
and loyal fan of Tennessee Volunteers residential garbage and recycling collection assisted in preparing team members to
football, and I enjoy cheering on the Vols routes, as well as operations at the City’s compete. The rodeo has been an important
and staying connected to our state’s strong Refuse and Recycling Centers. Each role part of promoting safety, skill development,
traditions. provided valuable leadership experience and professionalism within our workforce.
Share your official title and what duties you and strengthened my understanding of the Being involved has allowed me to mentor
employees, build camaraderie among
perform currently. operational needs required to serve our departments, and represent the City while
As a State Street Aid Manager for the community effectively. showcasing the talent and dedication of our
City of Chattanooga, the role carries broad How did you find out about TCAPWA, and Public Works professionals.
operational and leadership responsibilities, how did you get involved initially? When did
overseeing approximately 100 employees you join? What roles do you currently have in
across multiple divisions (Street Cleaning, I first learned about TCAPWA through TCAPWA?
Street Maintenance, Urban Forestry, the colleagues who were actively involved I remain an active TCAPWA member,
Central Business District, and Emergency and spoke highly of the networking and supporting both local chapter activities
Operations). The position is responsible professional development opportunities and statewide initiatives. I assist with
for planning, directing, and coordinating it provided. As I became more engaged planning and participation in events such
daily street maintenance and cleaning in leadership roles within the City of as meetings, training opportunities, and
operations, urban forestry activities, central Chattanooga, I recognized the value of the Equipment Rodeo, while continuing
business district services, and emergency connecting with other Public Works to encourage involvement from City
response efforts. professionals across the state to share best staff. My role focuses on promoting
This includes managing budgets, practices and learn from their experiences. professional development, mentorship, and
equipment, materials, and personnel I joined TCAPWA early in my strengthening collaboration among Public
while ensuring work is completed safely, supervisory career and initially became Works professionals across the state.
efficiently, and in compliance with city involved by attending meetings and continued on page 13
10 TPW May/June 2026