Public Works Director for the City of Kirkland Daryl Grigsby was recently named amongst the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year by the American Public Works Association.

One of the most coveted and prestigious awards sponsored by the APWA, the award is presented each year to 10 public works leaders whose excellence in public works earns them the distinction. The honorees are selected by a review committee for their professionalism and expertise as well as their personal dedication to improving the quality of life in their communities through advancement of public works services and technology.

Grigsby manages the City’s operations, maintenance and capital projects for transportation, streets, water distribution, wastewater collection, surface water, solid waste, fleet, facilities and public grounds. In addition, he manages development review and private development permits and inspections for public facilities, public infrastructure and adherence to the Growth Management Act.

Grigsby implemented the City’s annual “Public Works Week” in 2005 to show Kirkland residents how their money is spent and how they can be better stewards of waste, transportation facilities, water and public spacesn. What started as an information booth in the lobby of City Hall has expanded to an interactive exhibit that coincides with the City’s Wednesday public market. The public works-staffed booth is geared toward children, with coloring books, toy backhoes, hardhats and a water exhibit that demonstrates water runoff and erosion.

In Grigsby’s nearly 20-year managerial career, he has made efforts to advance women and minority employees. From 1998 to 2009, of the 24 hires into public works managerial positions he has overseen, 50 percent have been female and 20 percent have been African-American, Hispanic or Filipino. Grigsby also requires his employees to become involved in professional associations in their respective fields of expertise. He feels strongly that employees need to reach beyond their own workplaces and connect with others in the fields at the regional, state and national levels.

“Aside from working directly for Daryl, I’ve seen his commitment to APWA grow over the years,” said Katherine Claeys, past president of the APWA Washington State Chapter. “He’s been involved at both the local and the national levels by giving technical presentations on a regular basis at our conferences, by participating in committees, and more recently fulfilling a board member position for the last two years.”