Watt named director of engineering
JUNEAU - City employee Rorie Watt has been promoted to director of engineering.
He was formerly the deputy director of engineering and served as acting director since early June.
Watt began working for the city Engineering Department in 1993 as a temporary seasonal inspector. Over the years he worked for the city as a draftsman, project manager, Capital Improvement Project Division supervisor and deputy director. He holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in operations research and industrial engineering, and is a licensed civil engineer.
Watt is managing the design of a proposed parking garage and transit center at Egan Drive and Main Streets downtown.
"I've always enjoyed managing city construction," Watt said. "The major facilities make headlines, but the water and sewer lines and new staircases and improvements to streets - they make impacts all over town."
Watt will oversee about 30 employees who manage the planning, design and building of municipal construction projects, including city buildings, schools and park facilities as well as the water, sewer and road systems.
Watt was promoted after the city reviewed more than one dozen applicants and a three-month nationwide search, City Manager Rod Swope said. He begins his new position immediately.