This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

The Town of Florence has successfully concluded its search for a new Public Works Director with the selection of Christopher Salas to that important post.  Town Manager Brent Billingsley made the announcement that he had selected the new director to replace long-time Town Public Works Director Wayne Costa, who retired earlier this year from the position he held for 13 years.

“We received 23 applications in response to our recruitment efforts, mostly from individuals in Arizona,” explained Town Manager Billingsley.  “We used two separate panels to interview a total of six candidates.  One panel included our supervisors and managers from the Public Works Department and the other our internal administrative leadership, plus a neighboring public works director, and a consultant who is assisting us with issues in our wastewater operation.  I believe we have selected a candidate who has both the expertise and the drive to move our Public Works Department forward into the future.  I’m very pleased to be able to have him as a member of our Town leadership team.”

Mr. Salas has experience in both the private and public-sector, which includes work with a geotechnical company and a private engineering firm, prior to joining the staff at the City of Maricopa in 2007.  While with the City of Maricopa, he was promoted from being the Capital Improvement Manager to the City Engineer.  He left Maricopa in 2012 to join the engineering firm Wood, Patel & Associates, Inc.  There he was initially a Project Manager, later being promoted to Transportation Division Manager.  Salas cited his desire to return to public service and the opportunity to lead a full-service public works department as reasons for seeking the Town of Florence position.  The new Town Public Works Director earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University and is a registered Arizona Professional Engineer.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the community and the dedicated staff in the Town of Florence Public Works Department,” Salas commented.  “We have some infrastructure challenges in light of potentially available resources, but we have an excellent foundation upon which to build,” Salas added.

In addition to service in the role as Public Works Director, Salas is also the Town Engineer.  His projected start date is the week of May 23rd.