Burbank hires new public works director
The months just ahead are going to be difficult for many cities due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Burbank’s new public works director says he’s ready to ensure the city’s infrastructure is in good shape during these trying times.
City officials announced Tuesday that Ken Berkman will be at the helm of Burbank’s Public Works Department starting April 13. He will be concluding his time as the public works director for El Segundo on April 8.
“Among many desired qualities, I was especially focused on finding a leader who would be visible and an engaged role model,” Burbank City Manager Justin Hess wrote in a statement. “Ken has a great mix of public and private-sector experience lasting more than 30 years.”
Assistant City Manager Judie Wilke has been serving as the acting public works director since last fall, when previous Public Works Director Marnell Gibson accepted the same position in Hermosa Beach.
Burbank conducted a nationwide search for its new public works director and more than 50 applicants applied for the position.
While Gibson was only with Burbank for about three years, Berkman said in an interview Thursday he’s ready to be with the city for the long haul, especially as the city continues to address its lengthy list of deferred maintenance and capital-improvement projects.
“I’m excited about the opportunity and I think it’s something that I can really sink my teeth into,” Berkman said.
Berkman brings with him experience from both the public and private sectors. In addition to his service in El Segundo, Berkman has spent time working for Los Angeles County, Agoura Hills and Culver City, as well as Parsons Corp., MARRS Services, Inc. and Psomas.
A civil engineer, Berkman said his passion lies in working on infrastructure projects and he believes he can help Burbank accomplish many of its goals.
“That is something I’ve done my whole career and I’ve always enjoyed designing and constructing things that help the public,” Berkman said.
However, priorities have shifted as Burbank and other cities across the country deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
As of Friday, all nonessential businesses aside from groceries, pharmacies, banks, gas stations and laundromats are closed. Additionally, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported the first confirmed case of the virus in Burbank.
Despite the rapidly-changing environment, Berkman said it will be his job along with other department managers and staff to keep the city’s infrastructure up and running as the public is asked to stay home for the coming weeks.
“There’s going to need to be a prioritization of which projects need to continue or need to be put on hold — depending if they are under construction or where it is in the design phase,” he said. “Those projects that are at a lower priority will just have to wait because we won’t have the necessary resources.”
