The American Public Works Association has announced its selection of 16 public works professionals from a large group of applicants for the 2015-16 APWA Emerging Leaders Academy Program. The professionals will participate in a year-long national Emerging Leaders Academy program, which provides intensive leadership and management training within the context of public works. This year marks the ninth class of the APWA Emerging Leaders. 

Candidates for the program are professionals who have been working in the field of public works for 10 years or less — at either public or private agencies — who have demonstrated an interest in advancing their careers within the profession. 

“The APWA Emerging Leaders program provides a year-long experience including a two-day Emerging Leaders retreat held in Kansas City, ongoing interaction via conference calls, program-related assignments, attendance at the APWA PWX (annual conference) in Minneapolis in 2016, and completion of a class project on a key public works topic,” says APWA President Brian Usher. “It encourages professional growth through a strong network of peers, and offers an in-depth introduction to APWA at the national, chapter and branch levels.” 

This year’s participants are led by experienced Emerging Leaders Academy Coordinator Susan M. Hann, director of planning and project management for Brevard Public Schools in Malabar, Florida. 

Those selected for the APWA Emerging Leaders Academy Class IX include: 

• Ryan K. Betz, Administrative Analyst, City of San Luis Obispo, California 
• Ben Carroll, Video Inspector, Public Works Department, City of Greenville, South Carolina
• Frances D. Ellerbe, EIT, Woolpert, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina 
• Britt Elmore, Civil Engineer, City of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee 
• Chad Findlay, Area Manager Roads Services, City of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 
• Matthew Goolsby, CFM, P.E., Water Resources Engineer, CDM Smith, Jacksonville, Florida 
• Leslie Green, Manager – Transportation Projects, City of Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario
• Samantha A. Hayden, P.E., Civil Engineer II, City of Ankeny, Ankeny, Iowa
• Karen Kase, CPESC, Environmental Project Manager, Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick, Elgin, Illinois 
• Jose M. Leon, Jr., Director of Public Works, City of Roeland Park, Roeland Park, Kansas 
• Heather Maloney, Administrative Services Manager, City of Napa, Napa, California 
• Jordan Ottow, Water Quality Lead, City of Monroe, Monroe, Washington
• Christopher Peal, PW Mapping & Technology Manager, City of Temple, Temple, Texas 
• Michael J. Pepin, Business Operations Manager, City of Meridian, Meridian, Idaho 
• Eric J. Seaburg, Engineer, Transportation, City of Golden Valley, Golden Valley, Minnesota 
• Michael Wodalski, P.E., Deputy Director of Public Works, Village of Weston, Weston, Wisconsin 

For more information about APWA’s Emerging Leaders Academy program, please contact Becky Stein, staff liaison, or visit www.apwa.net. For APWA media queries, please contact Laura Bynum, media relations and communications manager. 

About APWA
The American Public Works Association is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C., and 63 chapters in North America.