Mayor Stoney Announces Administration Appointments

Mayor Levar M. Stoney is pleased to announce the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Director Robert Steidel will now serve as the city’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Operations.

Steidel has served as the city’s DPU director since March of 2011, after serving as interim director starting in July of 2010. He oversaw five utilities:  gas, water, wastewater, stormwater, electric street lighting and both the utility and non-utility call centers serving more than 500,000 residential and commercial customers in the surrounding metropolitan area. In his new role, Steidel will maintain control over DPU and add the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) to his management portfolio.

“Bob’s experience and commitment to the city make him the right person for the job,” said Mayor Stoney. “I know he will continue to serve Richmond’s residents well.”

Mayor Stoney is also pleased to announce Christopher Frelke will serve as the new director for the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. Frelke has been serving as an Adjunct Professor in Organization Management at Mount Olive University in North Carolina. Previously, he held a number of positions for over 12 years in the City of Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources department, including Assistant Recreation Superintendent, Senior Staff Analyst and Program Director.

“Our parks and recreation facilities play a vital role in our residents’ quality of life,” said Mayor Stoney. “I’m looking forward to the ideas and engagement Chris will bring to city government in this important role.”

Steidel will assume his new position Sept. 30; Frelke will start Oct. 30.