Managing Director Steve Puuri announced today the promotion of
12-year veteran James Harmon to Director of Operations for the
Washtenaw County Road Commission. As Director of Operations, Harmon will be responsible for all
aspects of the Operations Department’s budget, personnel, the
agency’s six facilities and the day-to-day maintenance of 1,624
miles of county roads and 580 lane miles of state trunkline
highway.
“This is a key position in our organization, which not only requires extensive knowledge of our road network and experience in the many responsibilities of a road commission, but also calls for someone who is a well organized leader, has a steadfast dedication to public service, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to serve our stakeholders to the best of his ability. Jim possesses all of these exceptional attributes and more,” Puuri said in his announcement.
Harmon, currently the Assistant Director of Engineering overseeing the Permits and Subdivisions Sections of the Engineering Department, begins his new position on July 16, 2007. He replaces former Director of Operations Ken Nixon who retired in May after 34 years of service.
As Director of Operations, Harmon said that ensuring the maintenance of a safe and convenient transportation system in a fiscally responsible way would be his number one priority.
“I look forward to continuing the progress the department has made in providing responsive and dependable service to the traveling public of Washtenaw County. Well maintained roads are a necessity for our economic viability and quality of life. I feel privileged to work with the dedicated and highly skilled Operations Department staff,” Harmon stated.
“We are extremely pleased that Jim accepted the promotion as our new Director of Operations. Jim has been a tremendous asset to the Road Commission throughout his career and we know he will continue to make many influential contributions to the agency as a member of Administration and our Management Team,”concluded Puuri.
Background Information on Jim Harmon
James D. Harmon, P.E., began his career with the Road Commission in February 1994 as a Civil Engineer I in the Traffic & Safety Section. A graduate of Michigan Technological University with both a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Civil Engineering, Harmon quickly moved up in the road agency, assuming the role of Civil Engineer II in the Permits and Subdivisions sections in December 1996. In this position he performed a full range of professional transportation engineering assignments, including assisting in the design and construction of road, drainage and traffic improvements projects.
Harmon advanced in his career again in 1999 as Permits Engineering Supervisor, where he supervised a staff of engineers, technicians and clerks, and was responsible for administering the permit functions of the agency, including planning, design and construction inspection of development within the county rights-of-way and commercial vehicle enforcement. In January 2003, he was promoted again to Assistant Director of Engineering, and assumed his current responsibilities in the Permits and Subdivisions Sections, including management, evaluation and review of the sections’ budgets, standards, projects and personnel. In his current role, Jim is also responsible for ensuring that public road development conforms to approved plans, specifications, and Road Commission procedures and regulations.