MANHATTAN, Kansas, April 4, 2014 – Brian D. Johnson, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer, for the City of Manhattan, has been promoted to City Engineer effective immediately. Robert K. Ott, Director of Public Works, for the City of Manhattan, announced the promotion today.
Johnson will assume a key position with the City’s Public Works team. He will be responsible for planning, directing, managing and overseeing all facets of operations, budget and personnel within the Engineering Department of Public Works. Functions within the Public Works Engineering Department include streets, storm drainage, engineering, GIS and traffic. In addition, he will be responsible for overseeing the public works capital improvement program, developing bids and specifications, and administering contracts for design and construction of capital improvement projects.
Ott said, “I am extremely pleased to promote Brian as the new City Engineer. He has the breadth of engineering and hands-on public works experience, project management and professional expertise that has prepared him to be successful in this position. Brian has been in charge of several significant projects since his employment with the City and has demonstrated the ability to carry out those assignments with proficiency and quality. His knowledge base and working relationships with local contractors, engineering firms and the Kansas Department of Transportation will be instrumental in meeting the many demands of his new position.”
Johnson has served as Principal Civil Engineer for the City of Manhattan since October 2008. As Principal Civil Engineer, Johnson played a key role in the downtown redevelopment project, levee certification, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility utilities relocation and grant programs from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Prior to his employment with the City of Manhattan, Johnson was employed with the City of Fremont, Neb., as City Engineer from 2001 to 2008, and the City of Lincoln, Neb., from 1999 to 2001. Johnson replaces the vacancy left by City Engineer Robert Ott, who was promoted to Public Works Director for the City of Manhattan in February 2014.
“I am extremely honored to continue the tradition of service that past city engineers have established for this community,” Johnson said. “I look forward to advancing the engineering team that provides safe, efficient and cost effective infrastructure for the City.”
Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Kansas, a member of the American Public Works Association, and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Johnson and his spouse Gretchen have called Manhattan home since 2008. They have two daughters, Sabrina and Lillian, and one son, Seth.
For additional information about the City of Manhattan and the City of Manhattan’s Public Works Department, you can visit the City’s website at www.cityofmhk.com.
