Norwalk Appoints New Chief Of Operations, Public Works

NORWALK, CT — During a recent Common Council meeting, Mayor Harry Rilling announced Vanessa Nobre Valadares has been appointed as the city's chief of operations and public works.

Valadares is the first woman to lead the department in Norwalk's history, according to a news release provided by the city.

"Vanessa has served and excelled in every position within the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works," Rilling said in a news release. "Based on her high level of expertise, impeccable work ethic and strong ability to collaborate, I am confident that she will be fantastic as the city's new chief of operations and public works. I look forward to the progress the department makes under her leadership."

Valadares has worked in the engineering division of the city's Department of Public Works since 2010. She started working for the city as a junior engineer and continued to advance in the department.

Since then, Valadares has served as an assistant engineer, a senior engineer and principal engineer. Most recently, she served as the interim chief of operations and public works when the position became vacant.

"I appreciate the trust Mayor Rilling has placed in me and the opportunity to serve the City of Norwalk in this new role," Valadares said in a news release. "It has been a pleasure to grow professionally within this department over the past 12 years, and as the chief of operations and public works, I will continue my commitment to delivering the best services to our residents. I will embrace transparency and collaboration and work diligently with my team to advance the mayor's vision to expand the city's operations with a focus on enhancing our sustainability efforts."

City officials also noted Rilling, since taking office in 2014, has assembled "a majority women-led city with respect to his cabinet and department heads."

Rilling's administration has since become the first in Norwalk's history to be led by a female majority, officials said.