Bill Preston, PE |
| City Engineer |
| City of Yakima |
| 129 N 2nd St |
| Yakima, WA 98901-2637 |
| (509) 576-6754 |
| bill.preston@yakimawa.gov |
Bio: |
| My career started 29 years ago, with the Department of Transportation in the South Central Region (Union Gap). In the early years, I gained experience inspecting large and small transportation projects throughout the region including I-90, I-82, US 12, SR 903 and more. Later, I enjoyed a number of years in Program Management developing, administering, and prioritizing project budgets. This helped enhance my skills at managing design and constructing projects as a PE where delivered small (a few hundred thousand dollars) and large (tens of millions dollar) projects. As my career advanced, I managed the SCR Planning, Materials, Maintenance orgs, and finally Local Programs as the Local Programs Engineer (LPE). |
| I became affiliated with APWA when I became the SCR LPE in 2016. I became actively involved in meetings and was a part of the Division 5 spec committee. I really saw how beneficial APWA is to all Public Works professionals. Working with all of the communities within the SCR, the “struggle” of agencies became very real to me. |
| It was then that I made it a priority to find ways to help local agencies find answers, get a “yes”, and assist with administration if needed. In December 2020, I was very excited to accept the position as the City Engineer for the City of Yakima. This has been a wonderful transition as I’m able to use my passion and commitment for the City. As the City Engineer, I get to apply all of my WSDOT knowledge and experience to a very robust city with very real challenges. I am also now learning just how much more active the public is in local transportation projects. |
| Since 2017, I have attended every Washington APWA meeting where I have met so many great professionals. The sessions have been very informative and have influence my work at the City. And, it is important to remember that they know how to have fun. Who can forget Prom? When not working, I’m enjoying time with my three daughters and their families, working on my home, and motocross. APWA provides an important resource for all those involved in Public Works I am honored to be considered a candidate for an APWA Board member position. |