Chesley Named APWA Public Works Leadership Fellow

Concord’s General Services Director, Earle “Chip” Chelsey, P.E., was recently designated a national Public Works Leadership Fellow (PWLF) by the American Public Works Association (APWA).

Chesley received the APWA senior designation in recognition of the highest level of commitment to the public works profession. The APWA PWLFs have been designated to mentor other public works professionals in three of the APWA Leadership and Management professional development programs, including Public Works Executive (PWE), Public Works Manager (PWM), and the Public Works Supervisor (PWS).

“The APWA Public Works Leadership Fellows have pledged to assist those who aspire to become public works directors, executives, managers, and supervisors through a focused mentoring program,” said APWA President Brian Usher. ”The PWLF is a senior executive service designation from APWA’s Donald C. Stone Center. All of the Public Works Leadership Fellows have many years of experience in public works, and they have committed their time and talents to advise public works professionals who are enhancing their professional skills and careers.”

For acceptance into the program, candidates must have at least 20 years of relevant public works experience to be eligible for the PWLF designation. The APWA Donald C. Stone Program Council determines acceptance to the program. Each PWLF will provide at least 40 hours of mentoring each year.

During his career, Chesley has focused on engineering and public works in both the public and private sectors. In his current position as Director of the Concord General Services Department, he directs the operations, maintenance, facility management, installation activities and the multifaceted public services department including highways and bridges, solid waste management, municipal buildings including an ice arena, airport and parks facilities, motor vehicle fleet, potable water supply, storage facilities and pump stations, distribution system and surface water treatment plant, wastewater collection system, pump stations and wastewater treatment plants, and also provides direction for the six operating divisions.

His accomplishments include implementation of a PAYT Solid Waste Program extending weekly recycling collection services; transformation and improved customer service with the implementation of a communications officer; implementation of a targeted capital expenditure program to significantly reduce chronic wastewater treatment plant issues; development and launch of an ongoing succession plan for the department; and the development of a comprehensive capital plan to refurbish the community’s surface water treatment and two wastewater treatment facilities.

In previous positions, Chesley was Project Engineer for the Delaware Department of Transportation, Vice President and Project Manager for Costello, Lomasney and deNapoli Consulting Engineers in Manchester, and Director of the Merrimack Department of Public Works and Engineering. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and a Masters of Engineering degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Delaware. He also is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of New Hampshire.