City of Rockville issued the following announcement on May 28.
Ricky Barker, a planning professional with more than three decades of experience, has been selected as the new director of the City of Rockville’s Community Planning and Development Services department, City Manager Rob DiSpirito announced today.
“I’m confident Ricky will continue Rockville’s commitment to vibrant, family-friendly neighborhoods, balanced growth and a sustainable future,” DiSpirito said. “He brings a wealth of vision and experience to the position. I’m excited to introduce him to his talented, professional team, and to the Rockville community.”
Barker, who begins in his new position on Monday, June 25, said he was honored to have been chosen to work for a dynamic and well-planned city such as Rockville.
“I look forward to serving and engaging the community with a talented city staff who can implement the vision and goals of the Mayor and Council,” he said. “Rockville is one of the best places to live in the country and the best place to live in Maryland, and I hope to contribute to the city’s continuing success.”
The director of CPDS leads a department of more than 40 people and manages a budget of roughly $6 million. Barker will be responsible for overall administration and implementation of the department’s mission, which includes long-range community planning, development review, zoning administration and enforcement, historic preservation, redevelopment coordination, housing programs and building construction codes.
Barker most recently served as the director of planning and zoning for Loudoun County, Virginia, and has held planning positions in Cary, North Carolina, where he served for 20 years; Henrico and Stafford counties in Virginia; and the state of Tennessee. He has a Master of Science in Planning degree from the University of Tennessee.
The city conducted an extensive, nationwide search for candidates to fill the planning director’s post. CPDS staff were surveyed on qualities they would like to see in the new director and members of the community were included on the interview panel.
Longtime Chief of Zoning Jim Wasilak served as acting director in the interim following the departure of Acting Director Andy Gunning in February. “I’d like to thank Jim and Andy for their leadership during this time of transition for CPDS,” DiSpirito said.
Learn more about CPDS and the department’s mission at www.rockvillemd.gov/cpds.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Rockville
Alerts Sign-up