Mayor
Levar M. Stoney is pleased to announce the City of Richmond’s
Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Director Robert Steidel will now
serve as the city’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Operations.
Steidel
has served as the city’s DPU director since March of 2011, after
serving as interim director starting in July of 2010. He oversaw five
utilities: gas, water, wastewater, stormwater, electric street lighting
and both the utility and non-utility call centers serving more than
500,000 residential and commercial customers in the surrounding
metropolitan area. In his new role, Steidel will maintain control over
DPU and add the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Richmond Animal
Care and Control (RACC) to his management portfolio.
“Bob’s
experience and commitment to the city make him the right person for the
job,” said Mayor Stoney. “I know he will continue to serve Richmond’s
residents well.”
Mayor
Stoney is also pleased to announce Christopher Frelke will serve as the
new director for the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and
Community Facilities. Frelke has been serving as an Adjunct Professor in
Organization Management at Mount Olive University in North Carolina.
Previously, he held a number of positions for over 12 years in the City
of Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources department,
including Assistant Recreation Superintendent, Senior Staff Analyst and
Program Director.
“Our
parks and recreation facilities play a vital role in our residents’
quality of life,” said Mayor Stoney. “I’m looking forward to the ideas
and engagement Chris will bring to city government in this important
role.”
Steidel will assume his new position Sept. 30; Frelke will start Oct. 30.
