La Grange Names New Public Works Official

LA GRANGE, IL — A La Grange resident has accepted an offer to become the village's new public works director, filling a position that has been vacant for more than five months.

Richard Colby, a licensed civil engineer, is expected to take the oath of office at the Village Board's Sept. 27 meeting. His LinkedIn page lists him as the chief engineer at the Hines VA Hospital. He also spent a decade with the U.S. Coast Guard.

"He was one of the many who applied for the position, but he really was the top candidate, and we are thrilled he accepted the position," Village President Mark Kuchler said at Monday's Village Board meeting. "Rick possesses outstanding qualifications in administrative leadership and exhibits strong communications skills."

In another development, Russell Davenport, who had been filling in as interim head of public works, was promoted Monday to assistant public works director, Kuchler said. Davenport has been with the village for 33 years.

"He is a tremendous asset," Kuchler said. "He does so much for all of us residents. We do appreciate it."

In April, Ryan Gillingham, who was the director for a dozen years, left for the same job in McKinney, Texas, a north Dallas suburb that is more than a dozen times larger in population than La Grange.

Assistant Director Mike Bojovic then became the interim director. But Bojovic, who had worked for La Grange since 1987, retired the next month. Then Davenport became interim director.