Richmond Public Utilities Department Announces New Director

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Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is pleased to announce Calvin D. Farr Jr. as the new director of the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU). 

Mr. Farr was selected for the position after an extensive national search. Farr is a successful professional engineer and senior level project manager. He previously served as the Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management for the City of Atlanta, GA. He holds an Executive Masters of Public Management from the University of Maryland, College Park, a Masters of Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University. He will begin his work with Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities in late May, 2018.
 
Mr. Farr has 21 years of utility industry and government experience. He brings a wealth of understanding of capital improvements, maintenance practices, asset management and environmental compliance in the utility industry. He is a leader in developing and implementing programs to address and improve infrastructure issues faced nationally by utility companies. 

In his role as DPU director, Mr. Farr will oversee five utilities that include natural gas, water, wastewater, stormwater and electric street lighting.  

“Calvin will be a great asset to the City of Richmond and DPU,” said Mayor Stoney. “He stood out to the selection committee because of his professionalism, experience and passion to protect the environment and provide good customer service.” 

Rosemary Green, DPU’s current interim director has done a stellar job of keeping the DPU ship on course.  Once Mr. Farr takes the reins, Ms. Green will return to her previous role as Deputy Director II.   

“I’m truly honored to be selected as the new DPU Director and excited by the challenges and opportunities that DPU faces,” said Mr. Farr.  “I look forward to helping shape and implement strategy to continue to provide premier utility service that meets or exceeds Richmond’s goals, a city I have always loved.”