City of Henderson’s Robert Herr Named “Public Works Leader of the Year”
Henderson, Nev. – City of Henderson’s Director of Public Works, Parks and Recreation Robert Herr, P.E. has been named as 2017’s “Public Works Leader of the Year” by American City & County magazine.
“I am constantly impressed with Director Herr’s thoughtful, strategic and collaborative leadership in overseeing the largest department in the city,” said Mayor Debra March, who nominated Herr for the honor. “He leads a team that touches the lives of every Henderson resident on a daily basis by ensuring the quality and safety of our city’s infrastructure, roadways, municipal buildings, parks and trails. This is a well-deserved honor and we’re very fortunate to have someone as skilled and dedicated as Robert Herr working for the City of Henderson.”
Each year American City & County honors public officials from across the country for their achievements and outstanding leadership. The Public Works Leader of the Year nominees are judged on major accomplishments and why the efforts they lead are important to the community they serve.
“I’m pleased to be honored as Public Works Leader of the Year and proud to share this award with my team members who have been instrumental in helping to achieve the successes for which we have been recognized,” said Herr. “Ultimately, we’re here to deliver the best services possible to Henderson residents and to make sure that we’re maintaining the quality of life that makes our community so special.”
In selecting Herr for this honor, American City & County cited the following accomplishments:
• Attaining accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA), during which the department was recognized for nine national model best practices.
• Earning a third successful reaccreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), meeting 100-percent compliance with all of the recommended standards.
• Completing 21 critical roadway and infrastructure improvement projects at a cost of $64.9 million in the last 18 months, many of which have earned regional and national recognition for excellence and design innovation.
• Attaining accreditation for the city’s Inspection Services Material Testing Lab by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for the onsite testing of construction materials, resulting in significant cost savings.
• Reorganizing and modernizing the city shop and fleet, including the addition of six new electric vehicles and 12 charging stations, in order to become better environmental stewards.
Herr started with the City of Henderson in March 2004 and was named director of the Public Works, Parks and Recreation Department in October 2015. He oversees an annual department budget of $109 million and a team of more than 400 full-time and 850 part-time and seasonal staff.
