Cody M. Whittenburg has climbed the ladder to become the head honcho of Fort Worth's Environmental Services Department. Getting the nod after serving as the interim director, he's now the guy officially in charge. Prior to this gig, Whittenburg worked his way through the municipal ranks as an assistant director of the City's Code Compliance Department.

His proactive approach and knack for bundling various services under one roof has given Whittenburg the edge. "We have found Cody to be extremely service-focused and energetic, with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to strengthen community wellbeing and to create high-impact outcomes for our residents," City Manager David Cooke said in an announcement on the city's news release.

Whittenburg isn't a greenhorn in the field; he's clocked in six years as Fort Worth's environmental manager before this new post. He's got the academic chops too, holding a Ph.D. in civil engineering and a master's in environmental science - no lightweight credentials there.

The Environmental Services Department, which came to be in 2023, aims to keep the city spick and span while safeguarding the natural resources. With Whittenburg at the helm, the team's beefing up their defense against pollution through litter-slaying moves and waste management wizardry. They're also into the whole green scene – think recycling, reusing, and generally being good stewards of Mother Earth, according to the official announcement by the city.

If you live in Fort Worth and are itching to do your part, Whittenburg's crew has got you covered with volunteer opportunities to boot. It's all part of their grand plan to make the city cleaner, safer, and leaner on the carbon footprint.