Burbank City Manager Mary J. Alvord has announced the selection of Bonnie Teaford as the Public Works Director for the City of Burbank. Teaford has served as Interim Director since August 2005.

"I’m pleased to appoint Bonnie as Public Works Director. With the fine job she has done as Interim Director, Bonnie has a proven track record and is the right person for this job. I very much look forward to working with her," said Alvord.

Since joining the Public Works Department in 1999, Teaford has served as Chief Assistant Public Works Director - City Engineer and has always been viewed as the future director. While former director Bruce Feng was still here, Teaford was being groomed to be the director. When he left last August, the transition was seamless, according to Alvord.

"While serving as Interim Director, Bonnie has stepped up to the plate in events as varied as the Glendale-Burbank interceptor sewer project and the saturated ground and debris run-off problems following the hillside fire. I’ve seen her work and have no doubt that Bonnie is the right person for this job," said Alvord.

"I am delighted with the decision and look forward to continuing to work with the terrific team that serves this special community," said Teaford.

Teaford is a California Registered Civil Engineer. She has degrees in cultural anthropology from the University of California Santa Cruz and civil engineering from California State University Sacramento; and as a lifelong student, continues to take classes in various disciplines. Her professional affiliations include the City and County Engineers Association (currently President); American Society of Civil Engineers; American Public Works Association; Solid Waste Association of North America; National Management Association; and Southern California Waste Management Forum. Teaford is a graduate of Leadership Burbank.

The announcement is being made as the City of Burbank joins the American Public Works Association (APWA) in celebrating National Public Works Week from May 21-27, 2006. This year’s awareness week is themed, "Public Works: The Heart of Every Community" and is intended to raise local awareness of public works issues.

The Burbank Public Works Department includes 180 employees who work in the following areas: public building construction and maintenance; wastewater treatment; sewer maintenance; traffic and parking management; street design and maintenance; street sweeping; solid waste collection, recycling, and disposal; equipment maintenance; and graffiti removal.