New wave of public safety projects is creating opportunities nationwide … but watch for new needs
by Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Modernization, technology, expansion options, upgrades in equipment, infrastructure requirements, safety compliance, and access improvement needs are changing how solicitations are being written for private sector contractors. More changes are likely in 2027.
Michigan creates new transit and rail coordinator role
Michigan is creating a new state position to coordinate transit and rail operations as part of a broader effort to strengthen public transportation and improve connections across the state.
Battery-electric trains gain ground in U.S. commuter rail projects
Battery-electric train projects advance in Chicago, Boston and New York as commuter rail agencies explore cleaner operations and alternatives to diesel locomotives.
Former Indiana homeland security chief to lead cybersecurity office
Indiana appoints Joel Thacker to lead its new Office of Cybersecurity, coordinating statewide preparedness.
FEMA announces $1.6B for emergency preparedness, security grants
FEMA announces $1.6 billion across nine grant programs for emergency operations centers and disaster preparedness.
USDOT announces $200M for truck parking projects in 12 states
USDOT announces $200 million for truck parking projects across 12 states, expanding capacity, rest facilities and safety technology.
Wisconsin authorizes $254M for university, state facility improvements
Wisconsin approves $254 million in state building projects, including UW-Madison housing and infrastructure upgrades.
New Mexico directs more than 90% of solar grants to rural communities
New Mexico’s Local Solar Access Fund is helping rural and low-income communities reduce energy costs by an average of 53%.
Wendy Barron
Chief Information Officer
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Texas – Ana Alvarez has been selected to serve as Duncanville’s city manager. Council members approved the appointment during their Oct. 20 meeting. Alvarez is expected to start Nov. 2. She has 30 years of public sector leadership experience, having most recently served as city manager for Hayward, Calif.
Pennsylvania – Amy Coleman is set to join the Bristol Township School District as its next superintendent. Coleman will replace the outgoing superintendent, Michael Nitti, who will retire at the end of the year. She is a longtime leader in Bristol Township’s school system, currently serving as chief academic officer and director of curriculum and instruction. A community meet-and-greet session with Coleman is scheduled for Nov. 18.
California – Daniel Padilla will become Arvin’s city manager starting next month. Padilla’s first day in the position is set for Nov. 16. He’ll overlap with the current city manager, Jeff Jones, for two weeks before Jones departs Nov. 30. Padilla has been working for municipal governments across the state since 2012, having served as director of engineering/city engineer in Ceres, Calif.; city engineer/acting public works director in Gilroy, Calif.; and public works director/city engineer in Baldwin Park, Calif.
Hawaii – Daniel Volpe, interim chief of the Hawaii Fire Department, has been handed the job permanently. The 5-1 decision by members of the Hawaii County Fire Commission follows a lengthy search process that took almost an entire year. Volpe takes over following the death of former chief Kazuo Todd in December.
South Carolina – Jason Webb will usher in a new era for the Charleston Police Department as its next chief. He has two decades of law enforcement experience. Webb told local media outlets he plans to hire additional officers and adopt new technology as part of a broader effort to modernize the city’s police force.
Oklahoma – Lisa Taylor will replace retiring Coweta city manager Julie Casteen. Taylor is from Durant, Okla., which is approximately 150 miles south of Coweta. She most recently worked as a business development and project manager for an engineering firm. To help get acquainted with the new city she now calls home, Taylor plans to schedule one-on-one meetings with members of city council, as well as tours of each of the city’s wards.
Missouri – Clayton Farr Jr. of Howardville has been appointed state fire marshal by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. Farr previously served as fire chief for Columbia, Mo., before retiring in 2024. His firefighting career started when he was hired as a frontline firefighter. Over the years, he worked his way up to lieutenant of the emergency services division, battalion chief, division chief, fire marshal, assistant chief and chief.
Illinois – Richard Stuart is the new Kansas Community Unit School District 3 superintendent. Stuart, who is currently principal of Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Ill., will finish out the current school year at that campus before transitioning into his new role. He was selected after “an extensive search and interview process,” the school district said.
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