Tim Holdeman will begin as the City of DeKalb’s Director of Public Works on December 14. Holdeman is filling the position left open by former Director T.J. Moore’s departure in spring of this year.
“I am very excited to welcome Tim to the City of DeKalb,” said City Manager Anne Marie Gaura. “Tim brings a wide range of skills and practical experience that translates well to the public sector. Tim’s experience demonstrates strong leadership skills a strong track record of mentoring staff members, two assets we seek when evaluating the best candidates.” Holdeman has a diverse background, including work in both the private and public sectors.
Holdeman began his career as an exploration geophysicist for Amoco Production Company, where he was responsible for developing drilling prospects in the Appalachian Mountains and Texas. He then transitioned to managing a water resources company in Ohio, growing it from a fledgling business in to a regional leader.
Holdeman transitioned to the public sector when he joined the Rockford Water Division in 2003. Holdeman developed, managed, and successfully completed a $75 million Water System Improvement program in Rockford and established a $30 million long-term Capital Improvement program.
Holdeman credits his strong drive to serve the public for his transition to the public sector. Said Holdeman of working in the public sector, “My experiences in the private sector, particularly with ground water sources, translate well to municipal public works. I couldn’t think of a better way to serve the public than through applying all that I’ve learned in my experiences in the private sector.”
During Holdeman’s time in Rockford, water quality complaints decreased by 95 percent as a result of the infrastructure improvements. He also helped the Rockford Public Works department develop the “RockStat” performance-based executive reporting system used throughout the City of Rockford.
The strong sense of community is a significant asset Holdeman sees in DeKalb. “When my family and I visited DeKalb, we were immediately drawn to the palpable sense of community and the charming downtown,” Holdeman said. “We are looking forward to calling DeKalb our home and are eager to join the local civic organizations.” Holdeman earned his Master’s of Geological Sciences degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Geology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Holdeman has also earned several awards and certifications over the course of his career, including the Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association in 2011.
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