Staff Report

ROCKFORD – Mayor Tom McNamara on Monday announced that he is appointing Water Division Superintendent Kyle Saunders as the city’s director of public works.

An employee of the city since 2011, Saunders takes over for Mark Stockman, who earlier this year announced his retirement after a 30-year career with the Public Works Department. Stockman has served as public works director since his appointment by Mayor Tom McNamara in mid-2017, after previously directing the Streets and Transportation Division. The Public Works Department is comprised of three divisions, with a wide range of responsibilities, focused on maintaining and improving right-of-way infrastructure.

Stockman’s last day is Aug. 9.

“Mark has been a critical part of the City team for nearly three decades,” McNamara said. “His dedication to our community, his expertise and his mentoring of employees have helped the department serve our residents well.”

Saunders earned a B.S. and MBA from Rockford University and joined the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department in late 2011 as a senior engineering technician and later, project manager. In those roles, he oversaw numerous water main and storm sewer construction projects.

In October 2013, Saunders was promoted to water treatment supervisor in the Water Division, where he oversaw the daily operation of the City’s 70 million-gallon per day (MGD) capacity water production system. That included the operation and maintenance of water supply wells, booster pumps and stations, treatment plants, reservoirs, and elevated storage tanks. He was promoted to superintendent of the Water Division in 2016, overseeing all water production, distribution and field services.

“I’m excited to appoint Kyle to this new role and am extremely confident in his ability to lead our talented and dedicated Public Works employees,” McNamara said. “Kyle is highly skilled and highly passionate in his work. He’s a great manager and has earned the respect of his team.”

The appointment is subject to City Council approval. It will be read in tonight and will be on the agenda for the July 15 City Council meeting. Saunders will earn $116,022 as director.