Roads, Trees, Sewers, And Parks: 20-Year Public Works Veteran Moves Up To Director

CONCORD, CA — Concord’s public works division manager has been promoted to director of the agency, City Manager Valerie Barone announced Monday.

Beginning Feb. 16, Kit Jory will oversee the city’s infrastructure maintenance operations, including roads, trees, buildings, medians, sewer, stormwater and parks, and will manage a department of 94 employees.

“Over the past several years, Kit Jory has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep understanding of the needs of our city’s residents,” Barone said in a statement. “He has led numerous initiatives to effectively and efficiently deliver public works services to our community and to beautify our city.”

Jory has served as public works division manager since 2022, where he led an overhaul of parks maintenance operations and advanced the city’s urban forestry program, according to a statement announcing the move.

Before joining Concord, Jory worked as community services superintendent and city arborist for the City of Fremont, and as an operations and management crew leader in public works for Modesto.

He has more than 20 years of experience in public agencies and private industry and holds a master’s degree in management and leadership and a master of public administration with an emphasis on organizational change, according to the announcement.

City officials did not say who would be replace Jory.