Archives > News Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Rob Daake named deputy city manager
By Chris Beattie, cbeattie@starlocalnews.com
McKinney city staff recently appointed Rob Daake, former executive director of Development Services, as its new deputy city manager.
Daake will overhead the Development Services, Parks, Recreation and Open Space, Public Works and Information Technology (IT) departments, while other Deputy City Manager Joe Williams will continue managing city financial and administrative functions.
City Manager Jason Gray said he selected Daake from more than 150 applicants because of "his proven ability to lead in a variety of circumstances."
For the past year, as director of Development Services, Daake led the departments that manage city growth, including Planning, Engineering, Building Inspections, Code Enforcement, Environmental Health, Animal Control and Community Services.
"I will still have heavy involvement with Development Services because they report to me," Daake said. "There will certainly be some continuity there."
Before joining city staff, Daake was a project engineer with Snyder & Associates, Inc., in Ankeny, Iowa. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University and is a Registered Professional Engineer.
He previously served seven years with Development Services as assistant director, capital improvements program (CIP) manager, development engineering manager and engineer. During his McKinney tenure, he's overseen about $175 million in CIP construction projects, such as reconstruction projects in historic downtown and of Custer Road.
Daake was also instrumental in the completion of high-profile roadway projects at Alma Road and Silverado Trail, and at Hardin Boulevard and White Avenue. The $11.5 million Hardin-White project of 2007 and 2008 involved extending Hardin Boulevard from U.S. Highway 380 to Virginia Parkway and widening White Avenue from Community Avenue west to Hardin.
"With [Cockrill Middle School] at that intersection, it was urgent," Daake said of the project. "It was extremely fast-paced, and no one thought we could get it done."
Such development occurred at the onset of the national economic downturn, and though most cities aren't completely out of those woods yet, McKinney is moving closer, Daake said.
For two of the last three months, the city's new building permit numbers were 50 percent higher than they were this time last year, and construction is "gaining steam again," he said.
"As the city continues to grow, we're able to pursue some things we couldn't do even at 130,000 people," he said. "Strong growth in the residential market always leads to commercial development. You can't really find a piece of bad news in terms of the local economy."
Gray said Daake's role will "expand significantly" as he now supervises more external services and serves as "more of an executive leader" to provide support for department directors, other city staff and the McKinney City Council.
"Rob is an extremely talented public servant, and I am looking forward to working even more closely with him," he said. "His heart for service to the community, his high personal and professional integrity, and his knowledge of McKinney operations will serve this community very well for years to come."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
