Phipps Named Permanent Director of Public Works

Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman announced the former deputy director will take the top spot at the Department of Public Works.

The leadership in Anne Arundel County government continues to change, as county executive Laura Neuman announced Wednesday that Christopher Phipps is her pick for director of the Department of Public Works.

According to a county press release, Phipps has 18 years of experience in the department's Bureau of Engineering and spent the last 11 years as deputy director of Public Works. He took over as acting director on July 1, after Ron Bowen announced his retirement.

"Chris is a long-time public servant with stellar credentials," Neuman said in the release.

Phipps is also credited with executing the county's $2.9 billion capital improvement program, expanding infrastructure, fire department resources, police resources, public facilities, surveying programs and parks.

"[Phipps] has one of the most important roles in the County," Neuman said. "He is responsible for the services we don’t always think about, but the ones we can’t do without."

Phipps has a degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech, he is a registered professional engineer in the state of Maryland and belongs to several public works associations, according to the release.