Politics & Government

Foster City Names New Public Works Director

Brad Underwood will serve as Foster City's new Public Works Director effective Dec. 29.

Foster City has named a new Public Works Director, effective at the end of December.

Assistant Public Works Director Brad Underwood will succeed Ray Towne as the overseer of the department, who retires Dec. 28, city officials said this week.

Underwood will oversee a department of 33 employees, an operating budget of $17 million and a comprehensive Capital Improvement Program.

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The major divisions in Foster City’s Public Works Department include Engineering (including Capital Projects) and Maintenance (Water, Sewer, Streets and Lagoons). 

A Civil Engineering graduate from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Underwood is a registered Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor, who brings more than 28 years of experience to his new assignment.

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He started his career in the private sector and then was hired in 1988 by the City of Bakersfield, California. There he worked his way up from Engineer III to Division Head to Operations Manager to lead the maintenance functions of the Public Works Department.

Currently, as Assistant Public Works Director, Underwood is responsible for the oversight and direction of the Design Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Subdivision Engineering and Construction Engineering and Survey divisions.

Underwood also works with other divisions of the Public Works Department providing his expertise in support of the Director. He has also been active in the profession, serving at various times in leadership positions in the American Public Works Association.

“Brad brings a depth of experience and great enthusiasm. I know that he will be an asset to Foster City and will provide outstanding leadership to the employees of the Public Works Department,” said City Manager Hardy.  

Underwood and his wife have two daughters in college and are looking forward to the opportunity of taking on a new challenge in Foster City.

“I am excited about joining the Foster City management team and putting my passion and excitement for Public Works to work in a new community. My background and experience will allow me to serve the City and residents in a professional and positive manner. I plan to lead the Department from day one, but will also be listening and learning from the employees and management team,” he said.


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