DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has appointed Robert L. Gordon as the new Director of Public Works, a shift that places him at the helm of a department critical to the infrastructure of the region. Gordon, whose tenure in public service spans over forty years, steps into his role with immediate effect, bringing a well-documented track record of leadership and mastery in the various operational facets of public works and fleet management. This detail, among others, was confirmed in an announcement on the official DeKalb County government website.
Having served as Deputy Director of Fleet Management for DeKalb County, Gordon is tasked to further fortify the county's fleet procurement, maintenance, and life-cycle management. CEO Cochran-Johnson, in her statement, lauded his extensive experience, stating, "Robert Gordon is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the complex operations that keep DeKalb County running," as reported by DeKalb County. She went on to highlight his "commitment to excellence," credentials she underlined as underscoring his fitness for the role in strengthening service delivery for residents.
Apart from his deputy directorship, Gordon's robust career has seen him oversee critical maintenance and repair operations for a fleet of over 600 heavy trucks, essential to services like Sanitation, Watershed Management, and Fire Services. His leadership and innovation have not gone unrecognized; his accolades include receiving the title of American Public Works Association (APWA) Professional Manager of the Year and an induction into the APWA Public Fleet Hall of Fame.
As the newly minted Director of Public Works, Gordon is set to provide executive leadership and oversight for not only the department's operations but also its personnel and budget across a breadth of service divisions. His mandate will extend to strategically advance initiatives that are designed to enhance the infrastructure's reliability, operational efficiency, and the overall customer service experience across the county. He also holds several professional certifications and an associate's degree in Business Management, as stated on the DeKalb County news release.
Gordon's reputation for collaborative leadership and public service commitment is further evidenced by his board role for Clean Cities Georgia, as well as his extensive educational background from the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
