Dear APWA Mid Atlantic Chapter Members and Friends:

For those of you who I have not had the chance to meet yet, I am Jeff Wilkerson the Public Works Director for the City of Martinsburg, WV. I have held this position for 15 years and have been an APWA member since 2011. I was raised in Indian Head, MD, a small town about 20 miles south of Washington, D.C. I moved to West Virginia to attend Shepherd University and have lived in West Virginia ever since. I have held several different positions over the years including various positions in the cement industry, a project manager for the road construction industry and Public Works Director.

I would like to thank Gaynelle Hart for her dedication and leadership to APWA and our Chapter over the years. I have had the opportunity to work with Gaynelle on the Public Works Institute, Chapter Board of Directors and other projects over the last 10 years and greatly appreciate her guidance and wisdom. She will continue to have the best interest of APWA and our Chapter as she transitions into the Past President role.

We recently attended the 2025 annual Chapter Conference in Ocean City, MD which was well attended. This was the first year that we offered the Winter Maintenance Certification at the Conference, we had almost 100 participants for the Annual Equipment ROADEO and many informative and educational technical sessions. I would personally like to thank all of the volunteers and the Conference Committee members that helped make this a successful and entertaining Conference. I am excited to assist Amy Linderman, our new President-Elect, with planning for the 2026 Chapter Conference.

I am sure we will have a pleasant and smooth transition between Gaynelle and myself as we begin in our new leadership roles and welcome new Chapter board members into their leadership positions.

As President, I would like everyone to focus on APWA and Chapter advocacy. We all deal with many different facets of the Public Works industry and in many different settings. There are vendors, contractors, consultants, etc. that do not know about APWA or our Mid-Atlantic Chapter. We have a significant public works workforce in the

Mid-Atlantic region in various public works roles and services. It is my goal to continue to provide professional development, network and educate other public works professionals throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

It is an honor and privilege to be the next President of the APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter, and I would like to thank everyone for this opportunity. I encourage members to get involved as you can. We have a Conference planning committee that will start planning the 2026 Conference later this year, we have several committees that have vacancies, and the Public Works Institute is a great professional development tool for emerging public works leaders. So as you can see our Chapter is busy and has many opportunities for those members that are looking for new roles within the APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, you can contact me at jwilkerson@cityofmartinsburg.org.

Southwest Virginia Public Works Academy 2025 Equipment Roadeo

Ian Shaw, City of Roanoke - Stormwater

The Southwest Virginia Public Works Academy (SWVA-PWA) held its annual Equipment Roadeo at Roanoke’s Berglund Center on April 2, 2025. The SWVA-PWA is an affiliation of public works agencies (local governments, public service authorities, and public utility companies) focused on employee development, recruiting future public works professionals and sharing knowledge. The Roadeo is the academy’s signature annual event. The event programming takes several months with coordination between the various agencies, the venue, vendors/sponsors, and outside groups.

This year, 10 agencies participated in 11 events as part of a friendly competition to determine the best operators in the area with several advancing to the APWA Mid-Atlantic Roadeo in Ocean City. The Roadeo is viewed by field staff as a fun day of competition, connecting with peers and a break from their daily routines. There is an opportunity to expand the role of the Roadeo as the SWVA-PWA looks to expand the services it offers to its members and the communities they serve.

Inspired by last year’s APWA Mid-Atlantic event in Roanoke, the SWVA-PWA included a Touch-a-Truck event for elementary school students as part of our broader outreach activities. This year the Academy hosted over 300 children from Roanoke City Public School’s (RCPS’s) kindergarten and pre-K programs.

Taking the outreach a step further, 30 high school seniors from RCPS’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program were invited to the Roadeo. The students were divided into small groups and toured the event with agency staff and apprentices to get a feel for the work Public Works agencies perform. They joined the full group for lunch and the awards ceremony. Inviting the CTE students was a success and several students expressed interest in working in Public Works upon their graduation.  

The event also provides an opportunity for vendors (construction equipment, safety supplies, etc.) to show case their equipment and supplies for a modest sponsorship fee. At this point, the sponsorships generally covers the cost of the Roadeo, but offers an opportunity to be a revenue generating opportunity to support training for agency staff as the Academy grows.

Photo credit: Ian Shaw

Photo credit: Ian Shaw

Public Outreach for the City of Martinsburg Stormwater Utility

Becca Russell, City of Martinsburg Stormwater Management

The City of Martinsburg Stormwater Utility Team recently celebrated Earth Day with 5 events throughout April. 

The first event was our Make It Shine Stream Cleanup on April 12th. We had 15 volunteers come out to Oatesdale Park to pick up trash around Tuscarora Creek. In total, we picked up 13 bags of trash along with a tire, a television, an axel from a car, as well as a bumper.

We hosted a rain barrel workshop at the Martinsburg Farmers Market on April 19. There were 30 people who signed up for the workshop and 30 barrels and diverter kits were given away. We demonstrated how to install the rain barrel and diverter kit to a demo gutter. The benefits of using a rain barrel were discussed and educational material was handed out. 

On April 25, South Middle School hosted a tree planting event where three crabapple trees and two azalea bushes were planted by one sixth grade science class. The event was led by the Martinsburg Shade Tree Commission with help from Martinsburg City Council members, Martinsburg Public Works Department, and Martinsburg Stormwater Utility. The students were given hands-on experience on how to properly plant a tree and given a rain barrel demonstration that explained how to set up a rain barrel and what it can be used for. Afterwards, we displayed our CCTV van and explained its uses. The students were very engaging.

Our final event was for Berkeley County’s Head Start/Pre-K program who hosted a county-wide event called “Tremendous Trucks and Other Things That Go Event”. This centered around various kinds of work trucks and equipment that the children could interact with. It showcased some of the cool vehicle’s kids might see around Martinsburg and the surrounding area, including a fire truck, ambulance, SWAT truck, tow truck, dump truck, and motorcycles. We showcased the Stormwater CCTV van and “Ralph” the Roush pipe crawler. The kids in attendance were able to view “Ralph”, climb into the van, and even steer the crawler.

Amy Linderman, Engineer IV, Wastewater Management of Fairfax County's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and Mid-Atlantic Chapter President-Elect has been named winner of the prestigious 2025 Myron Calkins Young Leader of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association.

Linderman is one of only two public works professionals in the nation to be honored by APWA in 2025 for exceptional service and leadership in the public works sector for individuals age 35 or younger.

This award program, to recognize rising-star APWA leaders, began in 2011, and is named after Myron Calkins, former APWA president in 1970-1971. Linderman is the first recipient from a Virginia public works agency in the award program's history. She will receive a check for $500 and an award plaque at a ceremony during APWA's Public Works Expo (PWX) in Chicago in August.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award. I wouldn’t be here without the incredible support from those in Fairfax County and APWA,” Linderman says. “I’m so thankful for those who have provided me with opportunities, mentorship, and trust, allowing me to grow and reach this point in my career.”

Congratulations to Amy for representing not only Fairfax County but all of Virginia's public works departments with this national distinction!

The fourth session of the Suffolk Public Works Citizen Academy is concluded on May 8th after 4 weeks of an in-depth look at the essential services that keep the city running smoothly. With the first class held on April 17th, participants are dove into a unique educational experience that offers insight into everything from large-scale infrastructure projects to everyday tasks like trash collection.

The Citizen Academy, which ran for four weeks on Thursday evenings, was a resounding success as in past years, and this session was no different.The program is free of charge, and participants gain invaluable knowledge directly from the professionals who oversee public works in the city. Each session focused on different aspects of Suffolk Public Works, allowing citizens to see how these operations contribute to their everyday lives.

Robert Lewis, Director of Public Works, shared his excitement about the ongoing academy: “This program has been incredibly successful, and we’re thrilled to offer it for a fourth time. Residents are getting the chance to engage directly with our team and understand the complexities of the work we do. It’s a great way for us to build stronger connections with the community while providing valuable information.”

The academy’s participants get a closer look at how public works oversees everything from road repairs and stormwater management to waste services and traffic engineering. The hands-on approach allows attendees to ask questions, interact with experts, and gain a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into maintaining the infrastructure that supports the City of Suffolk’s growth and daily operations.

The academy wraps up just one week before Public Works Awareness Week. To mark the occasion, all graduates from the academy, across every cohort, will be invited to join the Public Works staff as they receive a special proclamation from the Mayor of Suffolk. The proclamation will officially recognize Public Works Awareness Week and honor the vital contributions of public works professionals to the community.

Photo credit: Wayne Jones - City of Suffolk

Photo credit: Wayne Jones - City of Suffolk

Roadways have been a critical part of human civilization for thousands of years, serving as the backbone for transportation and trade. Over time, the construction and maintenance of these roads have evolved with the development of new materials and technologies. However, in recent decades, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of roadway construction and maintenance. The use of various materials in paving, particularly asphalt and concrete, has raised concerns regarding sustainability, pollution, and resource depletion.

Historically, the materials used for paving roads, such as asphalt and concrete, have contributed to significant environmental concerns. The production of asphalt and concrete is energy-intensive, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Additionally, the extraction of raw materials such as aggregates and petroleum-based products contributes to habitat destruction, pollution, and the depletion of non-renewable resources.

Furthermore, as roads age and deteriorate, maintenance practices often involve the removal of old materials, which end up in landfills, further exacerbating waste accumulation. The environmental impact of road maintenance is not limited to the materials used but extends to the energy consumed during the construction and repair processes, as well as the long-term effects of impervious surfaces on water runoff and ecosystem disruption.

In response to these environmental concerns, there has been a notable shift in the approach to roadway construction and maintenance. Henrico County with the leadership efforts of Mr. Terrell Hughes, Director of Public Works, and Mr. Mario Simms, Capital Projects Paving Manager, collaborated to find a solution that was cost efficient, environmentally sustainable all while community enhancing. During their research and due diligence, a local company, New Field Inc., was one of the only asphalt businesses found utilizing the Full Depth Reclamation as a paving model on the East Coast. Full Depth Reclamation (FDR). New Field Inc. is a local Virginia company that is a certified Virginia SWaM (Small Women and Minority-Owned) business. FDR is an innovative practice in the field gaining attention. It involves the complete recycling and reprocessing of existing roadway materials. Rather than removing and replacing worn-out asphalt or concrete, FDR breaks up the existing pavement and blends it with the underlying material to form a stable base layer for the new surface. This process reduces the need for new raw materials and minimizes waste.

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive analytical tool used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with a product or service throughout its entire life cycle. This includes all phases—from initial construction and production, through its use, to end-of-life disposal or recycling. An LCA examines critical environmental indicators such as energy consumption, water usage, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. By assessing these factors holistically, the LCA provides valuable insight into the total ecological footprint of the product or process.

The FDR process allows for annual cost savings and since the conception of this being utilized by Henrico County there was a significant opportunity. Usual projects of significant magnitudes within the paving sector for the local market have an "all-in" cost of $450,000 - $500,000 per lane-mile for two lane secondary routes. The estimated cost for Henrico County's utilizing the FDR on-call program is an estimated $240,000 per lane mile. Which lends to savings for 50-lane miles assuming alternating the cost of $475,000 per lane-mile; total savings at a staggering, $11,750,000. This allows for opportunities if needed to allocate funds to other projects within paving for the maintenance of the whole county. 

(*Stowell, D. (n.d.). Pavement Applications Director – Virginia, Southeast Cement Promotion Association.)

Mr. Hughes and Mr. Simms played pivotal roles in the inspiration, development, and successful implementation of the FDR program in Henrico County. Their leadership and collaboration were central to launching the initiative, which was driven by the County's commitment to improving roadway safety, particularly critical given the prevalence of narrow roads throughout the region.

The idea of adopting FDR emerged after visiting paver-laid FDR projects in Roanoke, Virginia and the neighbor state, North Carolina. Impressed by the method’s efficiency and durability, they returned with a vision to bring similar innovation to Henrico. Working closely with industry partners, Hughes and Simms helped establish appropriate specifications and identified suitable roadway candidates for the program, laying the foundation for what has become a model of effective infrastructure enhancement.

This upcoming paving season there are more than 20 roads scheduled for FDR within Henrico County! What a way to create innovative ideas and put them into action.

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced that the County’s Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Bureau of Engineering’s Transportation and Special Projects Division’s Henryton Road Bridge Replacement Project took home top honors at the Maryland Quality Initiative’s (MdQI) first Annual Awards of Excellence dinner, winning “Project of the Year” for projects costing less than $5 million. Additionally, the project also received MdQI’s County Engineers Association of Maryland’s Modal Award.

“This prestigious award’s program not only recognizes exemplary projects and innovative solutions in project design and construction but also pays tribute to industry leaders who are advancing the quality, safety, and efficiency of Maryland’s transportation sector,” said Ball. “Howard County is proud to set an example of excellence, and I commend our Department of Public Works staff and the entire project team on their receipt of these two awards, which highlight their dedication, expertise, and commitment to delivering sound, high-quality infrastructure.”

In January 2024, DPW began work to replace the deteriorated Henryton Road bridge in Marriottsville, with a new single-span, prestressed concrete beam structure. This new structure increased the bridge’s structural capacity, removed its 12-ton weight restriction, provided safer access, and minimized local flooding. For the bridge’s construction, the County incorporated Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques utilizing prefabricated super structure elements supported by drilled shaft foundations. Additionally, DPW employed an innovative maintenance of traffic approach to minimize traffic impacts and significantly reduce construction duration.

The overall project was funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Bridge Replacement Program, saving the County more than $1 million.

“I am incredibly proud of the Transportation and Special Projects and Construction Inspection Divisions’ teams and their commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful projects that benefit Howard County communities,” said Yosef Kebede, DPW Director. “It is a true honor to be recognized as industry leaders for quality and excellence.”

“I am very pleased with our team’s ability to successfully execute the replacement of the Henryton Road bridge and at the same time preserve the scenic characteristics of the roadway,” said Daniel Davis, Bureau Chief of DPW Bureau of Engineering. “Quality infrastructure and safety are paramount in thriving communities. We will continue to design and build with innovation and sustainability in mind.”

The MdQI provides Maryland’s transportation industry with a forum that fosters coordinated and continuous quality improvement to ensure safe, efficient, environmentally sensitive, and sustainable systems to meet the needs of all transportation stakeholders. For more information about MdQI and/or its awards program, visit www.mdqi.org.

In a strategic move to expand coastal engineering, VHB has joined forces with two coastal engineering firms: Waterway Surveys & Engineering (Waterway) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Harbor Engineering (Harbor) of Barrington, Rhode Island. With a focus on helping clients protect and improve their assets along tidal waterways and waterfronts, these acquisitions position VHB to plan and implement new development projects, shore protection, and aging coastal infrastructure improvements.

Founded in 1977, Waterway is a premier surveying, engineering, and environmental consulting firm specializing in marine environments. With a team of more than 20 professionals, their skillsets encompass hydrographic surveying, sediment investigations, dredging engineering and permitting, as well as beach nourishment and dune construction. Similarly, the acquisition of Harbor will bolster VHB’s ocean and waterfront engineering capabilities through their proven track record in navigating channel improvements, and marina and waterfront commercial development.

“Port facilities, navigation channels, urban waterfronts, beaches, and unprotected shorelines are abundant across VHB’s footprint,” said Neville Reynolds, Coastal Engineering and Resiliency Growth Leader. “By joining forces with Waterway and Harbor, we are enhancing our team to more effectively service our clients with valuable waterfront and maritime assets.”

For more than 30 years, VHB has been at the forefront of coastal engineering and resiliency practices, successfully executing a variety of projects along the East Coast. From scores of shoreline protection and restoration projects and revitalization work such as the Ohio Creek Watershed improvements in Norfolk, VA, to the sustainable development of Arverne East in Queens, NY, our projects highlight how we overcame the diverse challenges that meet specific local needs for improved and redeveloped waterfronts. 

“These strategic mergers will deepen our skillsets, expand our resources, and enable us to offer a comprehensive range of innovative solutions for coastal and waterfront improvements,” said Jake San Antonio, New England Environmental Services Leader. “Collaboration and integrated services remain at the height of our approach, allowing both existing and new clients to benefit from our expanded services.”

As VHB continues to expand its operation, Waterway will continue to operate in Virginia Beach at 321 Cleveland Place, while Harbor will transition to VHB’s Providence, RI, office. Both entities will operate legally as Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., and be known as VHB.

Don Cole is the Operational Manager for VHB’s RVA | Hampton Roads offices and a chapter Past President. He brings a broad perspective to the challenges facing localities in managing their assets, meeting community needs, and protecting the environment.

Above left to right: Don Cole, Bob Taliaferro (Waterway), Rebecca Francese (Waterway), Neville Reynolds, Piotr Swietuchowski

Above left to right: Tom Jackmin, Gus Kreuzkamp (Harbor), Meredith Avery, and Jake San Antonio

For over 50 years, the Henrico County Department of Public Works (DPW) has provided loose leaf collection to its residents through a vacuum leaf program. As many of you know, municipal leaf collection can be a challenge to get right. The seasonality of leaf pickup puts pressure on DPW staff who already have full-time responsibilities developing, improving and maintaining safe and efficient transportation and drainage networks for the county. In addition, leaf vacuum equipment is highly specialized and requires constant maintenance and repair. And if equipment outages don’t sideline you – the weather will.

(Left: Really Clean Streets uses leaf vacuum equipment from its sister company, Really Good Equipment)

But there’s a reason you want to get your leaf collection program right - effective leaf pickup is a community issue. Whether you have trees in your yard or not, leaves blow everywhere and if not removed properly, can create public safety, traffic and fire hazards especially as your community becomes more densely populated. Pedestrian safety can be compromised when piles of leaves on sidewalks force residents to walk in the street and bike lanes often become impassable. Leaves can also clog storm basins and contaminate waterways. 

Trees are vital to our community and benefit our health, our economy and our environment but like clockwork every year, they shed their leaves. It’s our responsibility to get leaf removal right.

For Henrico County, “getting it right” meant doing these 3 things:

1.     Challenge the Status Quo

As Henrico County continued to grow, our vacuum leaf program continued to fall behind. Our program is on-demand – we take orders from residents and dispatch contractors and/or internal teams to pick them up. Unfortunately, due to staffing shortages, equipment outages and/or weather, it could take 4-6 weeks for crews to complete an order. And when leaves pile up in streets, curbs and ditchlines for weeks at a time, the safety hazards mentioned above get real, and residents get (understandably) upset.  

We knew there had to be a better way to pick up leaves more quickly and economically and we were determined to find it.

2.     Develop Trusted Partnerships

That’s where Really Clean Streets came in. Their sister company – Really Good Equipment – manufactures, services and makes parts for vacuum leaf equipment. That makes them uniquely positioned to execute a successful leaf program – if they run out of trucks, they make more. If their trucks break down – they fix them. And to maximize program efficiency, they developed a unique operational system and a technology platform to support that system.

But even more importantly, Really Clean Streets promised Henrico residents that they would pick up their leaves the week after they booked an order. Even with holidays and winter weather, they were never late. Not once.

We contracted our entire vacuum leaf service – from resident communication & booking, payment processing, customer service, all equipment & operator needs and routing & dispatch – to Really Clean Streets. That allowed DPW staff to focus on other critical services. And thank goodness...because this winter was tough. With two months of winter storms, electrical & water outages, water main breaks and hundreds of downed trees, our residents needed us to be 100% focused on keeping them warm and safe.

But this partnership was only possible because of the communication, collaboration and support we shared with Really Clean Streets. We were in this together….their success was our success. We had to trust each other and work as a team to deliver the world-class vacuum leaf program that the residents of Henrico deserved. 

3.     Never Stop Looking for Ways to Get Better

Our commitment to excellence forced us to think outside the box and welcome Really Clean Streets as a partner. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in the 9.9 out of 10 score they received from residents that utilized their service. Every day they audited before & after pictures and listened to calls with residents to ensure every interaction with Really Clean Streets was the best it could be. Every week, we were provided customer feedback reports and reviewed them with the Really Clean Streets team to identify ways to improve. And for the first time, the DPW team went from dreading leaf season (and the inordinate number of calls we’d receive from residents complaining about our leaf service) to almost forgetting we had a program.

At a recent Board of Supervisor’s meeting, John Vithoulkas - Henrico’s County Manager - said the transformation of this program is a great example of what happens when government understands what they do well and what they're challenged to do well, and they outsource the latter.

We outsourced the latter and haven’t looked back.

Above: Henrico County DPW and Really Clean Streets recognized for performance at a February Board of Supervisors meeting

Baltimore County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation is ushering in a new era for its CountyRide demand response transportation service, transforming how seniors and residents with mobility needs access essential destinations. Under the leadership of Transportation Manager Marchel Simmons, CountyRide is leveraging innovative vehicle upgrades and smart scheduling technology to meet modern transit demands with greater comfort, efficiency, and accessibility.

“The world of demand response is changing rapidly,” said Simmons. “We're adapting with it — not just to keep up, but to lead.”

A key improvement has been the acquisition of four new vehicles designed to carry six passengers plus one wheelchair user. These smaller, more agile vans offer a smoother ride, easier boarding, and increased dignity for passengers — eliminating the institutional feel often associated with larger paratransit buses.

“Clients appreciate the comfort and the privacy. These new vehicles erase the stigma of riding on large, often noisy buses,” Simmons noted. “They’re easier to board, especially for those with mobility aids, and the seating is far more inviting.”

The shift away from CDL-dependent larger buses was, in part, a response to the driver shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By transitioning to vehicles that don’t require a commercial driver’s license (CDL), CountyRide has broadened its hiring pool, enabling faster onboarding and a more diverse workforce. Drivers have expressed high satisfaction with the new vans, praising their maneuverability in tight residential neighborhoods and user-friendly wheelchair loading from the rear.

“Efficiency has increased dramatically,” Simmons added. “With upgraded scheduling software, we’re able to batch trips and route more strategically — maximizing service to more than two trips per hour in some cases.”

These improvements come as demand response transit faces new challenges. The traditional model — transporting groups of seniors to the nearest medical center or senior facility — is evolving. Today’s riders are seeking more personalized travel, heading to diverse destinations beyond standard hubs, such as community centers, specialized healthcare providers, or independent shopping centers.

With over 25 years of experience in paratransit and multimodal transportation, Simmons emphasizes the importance of innovation in meeting these shifting expectations. “The landscape we navigate daily is expanding — new roads, new developments, and the need to serve rural and food desert areas have prompted us to pilot new service models tailored to individual needs.”

Low maintenance and fuel efficiency are additional bonuses that make the new fleet not only passenger- and driver-friendly but also fiscally responsible.

As DPWT continues to rethink its approach to community mobility, the CountyRide upgrades mark a significant step in providing equitable, comfortable, and efficient transportation for Baltimore County’s most vulnerable residents.

“We’re not just moving people,” Simmons said. “We’re improving lives — one ride at a time.”

NEW Envision Sustainability Professionals in the Chapter

Denise Nelson, Denise Nelson Advising, LLC

Our Chapter offered a rare opportunity to attend Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credential training in-person in central Virginia, and members responded! The successful training prepared attendees to take the exam and earn the credential, which indicates their competence in the Envision rating system for sustainable infrastructure framework administered by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI).

(Photo credit Catie McCarthy)

Envision a collection of best practices to help infrastructure professionals make better decisions during the lifecycle of infrastructure. It allows for and encourages professionals to consider the triple bottom line, the concepts of impact to the environment, to the people, and to the economy. Envision addresses 64 concepts, or credits, organized into five categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World, and Climate and Resilience. The definitions, goals, and scoring values are all detailed in the free to access guidance manual, online scoresheet, and pre-assessment checklist. Envision is free to use in project planning and design and to self-assess projects for a score. The ISI offers a third-party project review and award program on a fee basis.

The use of Envision to improve decision making in infrastructure development and management is growing in our region. The City of Richmond, Virginia, is now requiring the use of Envision on infrastructure projects (Sustainable Design Standards). Hampton Roads Sanitation District and the Reston Towne Center Association also require the use of Envision. In addition, Virginia Beach, Fairfax County, and AlexRenew in Virginia; Howard County in Maryland; and Washington, DC have projects with Envision awards. Norfolk, VDOT, and the Town of Hillsboro in Virginia; Annapolis in Maryland; and Washington, DC have projects scheduled to earn Envision awards.

Spring PWI Graduates

Matt Adams, Fairfax County 

The Mid-Atlantic Public Works Institute is proud to announce the successful graduation of its Spring cohort. These dedicated professionals have completed an intensive program designed to enhance their skills, knowledge, and leadership in the field of public works.

The Spring graduates have demonstrated exceptional commitment and resilience, navigating a rigorous curriculum that includes advanced training in public infrastructure management, environmental stewardship, emergency response, and community engagement. Their achievements underscore the importance of continuous education and professional development in maintaining and improving the vital services that support our communities.

The Mid-Atlantic Public Works Institute remains committed to fostering the growth and development of public works professionals. Through comprehensive training and hands-on experience, the Institute equips its graduates with the tools and knowledge necessary to meet the evolving challenges of public infrastructure and service delivery.

Congratulations to the Spring graduates for their hard work and dedication. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will undoubtedly make in their communities and beyond.

For more information about the Mid-Atlantic Public Works Institute and its programs,

please visit our website HERE

Troy Eisenberger Awarded Chapter Distinguished Service Award

On May 1, the recipient of the Chapter Distinguished Service Award was announced during the annual awards ceremony in Ocean City, MD. The Chapter Distinguished Service Award recognizes a member for their service to the chapter and well-established preeminence in the field of public works. This year’s honor was posthumously awarded to Troy Eisenberger who was a devoted public servant, having spent most of his career working in government as an engineering project manager, and for the past 5 years, as the City Traffic Engineer for the City of Chesapeake.

In 2021, Troy was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter where he first volunteered as the Membership Chair and led the effort to welcome new members with electronic letters. In 2022, Troy took on one of the largest volunteer positions in the chapter and coordinated over 40 presentations, 10 education sessions, and organized the all-important PDH credits at the 2023 Hampton Mid-Atlantic WRX Conference.

Board members who worked with him said that Troy was consistently the first one to respond to any other committee members who needed assistance, writing articles for the newsletter and Chapter Works Weekly and assisting new volunteers with questions and advice, even after he stepped down in his positions on the board.

It was with great admiration and heartfelt appreciation that the chapter honored Troy with the Chapter Distinguished Service Award. His willingness to assist any committee in need with a spirit of collaboration and creativity has been missed. But it is his camaraderie, kindness and humor that have left an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of working alongside him. 

Disaster Response & Recovery Discussion

Tour of Paul Davis Property Restoration

& Networking Social

May 28, 2025

6:00 – 8:00 pm

Tour the facility and hear from various speakers on disaster response in Public Works.

Tim Foster, Director of Public Works for Henrico County from 2009-2012 will also do a presentation about his 34 years of experience

with disaster response in public works.

Paul Davis Restoration, a GSA Schedule 84 partner, has been at the forefront of restoration services for local, state, and federal government properties since 1966. They focus on restoring safety, building functionality, and security. They deliver tailored solutions for all types of disasters and impacts, such as water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, or storm impacts.

Tour of Paul Davis Restoration

APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter

Quiet. Innovative. Electric

The McNeilus Volterra™ Fully Electric Refuse Collection Vehicle

Mark Lownik, Atlantic Emergency Solutions / Atlantic Heavy Duty (A McNeilus Dealer and Service Provider)

As more municipalities prioritize clean and efficient operations, electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles (eRCVs) lead the charge toward this sustainable future.

(Photo left: The McNeilus ZFL electric front loader)

The McNeilus® Volterra ZSL™ eRCV is at the forefront of electric refuse collection technology, combining power, efficiency and sustainability in one innovative vehicle. Designed to meet the demands of modern cities and municipalities, it is more than just an electric refuse and recycling collection vehicle—it represents a significant leap forward in clean, quiet and efficient refuse management.

To showcase the Volterra’s capabilities, Atlantic Heavy Duty, a leading dealer for McNeilus across eight states and the District of Columbia, will be visiting municipalities with a demo unit between May and July highlighting its’ advanced technology, design and game-changing solutions, including:

·      10-hour route time (1,000 homes)/ 80 miles on a full-charge

·      Real-time data and vehicle monitoring to help reduce downtime with ClearSky™ by McNeilus Telematics.

·      Active safety features such as 360-degree camera system, blind spot detection, forward collision avoidance

To learn more about the capabilities of the Volterra and any upcoming demos near you, please reach out to the Regional Account Manager for your area at Atlantic Heavy Duty

Photo above: The McNeilus Volterra ZSL electric side loader

2025-26 Officers and Directors

A new slate of officers and directors were approved during the 2025 Annual Business Meeting on May 1 in Ocean City, MD.

Past President - Ms. Gaynelle Hart

President - Mr. Jeff Wilkerson

President-Elect - Ms. Amy Linderman

Vice President - Mr. David Bradshaw

Treasurer Mrs. - Monica Barnette

Secretary - Ms. Catherine Sydnor

Delegate - Mr. James Long

Alternate - Delegate Mr. Jason Calbert

Historian - Ms. Dawn Odom

Director 1 - Mr. Ian Shaw

Director 2 - Mr. Tony Russell, Jr.

Director 3 - Mr. Matt Stolte

Director 4 - Mr. Jason Calbert

Director 5 - Julian Brooks

Director 6 - Travis Davis

Director 7 - Mr. Kyle Logue

Director 8 - Mr. Yosef Kebede

Director 9 - Ms. Renée LaFollette

Director 10 - Mx. Ryn Kennedy

Director 11 - Mr. Shwan Fatah

Joining a committee is a great way to get more involved in the activities of the chapter. The following are the new committee volunteers:

• Yosef Kebede, Baltimore Activities Committee Chair
• Sean Kellogg, Young Professionals Committee Chair
• Matt Bowser, Solid Waste / Waste Management Committee Chair and Water Resources Committee Co-chair
• Robin Wilder, Water Resources Committee Co-chair
• Bryan Kirk, Construction Management Committee Chair
• Wes Robertson, Vector Management Committee Chair
• Terrell Hughes, Winter Certificate Committee Chair

For a full list of committees, visit the website. Committees – APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter

The 36th Annual Virginia Water & Wastewater Rate Report

TRC Companies, Inc.

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Check Out Industry Events & Webinars Here!

2025 - 2026

OFFICERS/DIRECTORS