Interim City Manager Starla Jerome-Robinson announced the appointments to fill three assistant public works director positions and solidify the management team members responsible for the city’s second largest department and over half of the City Council’s current work plan projects. All three appointments are effective Monday, January 7, 2019.
Chris Lamm joins Menlo Park from the City of Los Altos, where he served as engineering services manager/city engineer. He brings over 15 years of experience in the public and private sectors as well as impressive expertise in project management. Before Los Altos, he served in various engineering management positions at San Jose State University, the City of Santa Monica and the City of Chandler, Arizona. Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Santa Clara University. He is a registered professional engineer in both California and Arizona and a United States LEED certified professional. Chris will oversee the Engineering Division that includes capital improvement projects and utilities.
Brian Henry is being promoted, having served Menlo Park since 2011. Previously, he has worked as interim assistant public works director, public works superintendent and city arborist. He oversees teams that manage the city’s parks, trees, streets, facilities, fleet and water maintenance services. Before joining the City, Brian held arborist positions with the cities of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Brian earned his bachelor’s degree in earth science from California State University–Chico and master’s degrees in landscape design and forestry from George Washington University and Michigan Tech University, respectively. Brian will oversee the Maintenance Division in providing support to residents and all city departments, as well as 24/7 coverage for emergencies and after-hours maintenance calls.
Nikki Nagaya is rejoining the team after a brief time as bicycle and traffic calming manager at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Before that, she served the Menlo Park community as assistant public works director, transportation manager and senior transportation engineer. Nikki has over 12 years of experience in transportation planning and engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in California. Her work has involved managing a wide range of transportation projects in San Francisco, the South Bay Area and Peninsula with a focus on retrofitting infrastructure to better accommodate people walking and biking. Nikki holds a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Bucknell University. Nikki will oversee the Transportation Division and land development services.
“On behalf of the City Council, I want to commend our executive team for their success in adding such fine talent to the City’s management,” said Mayor Ray Mueller. “The City Council heartily welcomes Chris Lamm to the Menlo Park team, congratulates Brian Henry on his well-deserved promotion and celebrates Ms. Nagaya’s return, whose leadership and expertise was dearly missed by her peers and our community.”
All three assistant directors will report to Public Works Director Justin Murphy. The Public Works Department is responsible for building and maintaining the City’s infrastructure and facilities, and for providing street, sidewalk, water, stormwater, parks, trees and transportation services. The Department protects the City’s investments in infrastructure and public facilities to ensure the health and safety of the community in an efficient, sustainable and cost effective manner.
