(Joplin, MO) – The City of Joplin announces the promotion of Chad Weller to Public Works Assistant Director for Operations. Lynden Lawson previously held this position and will retire on Friday, July 7, 2023.
Weller has been with the City for 15 years as a licensed professional surveyor. During this time, he led the survey and right-of-way section in the Public Works Engineering Division. He also has served as project manager for multiple City infrastructure projects including street widening, bridge construction, and stormwater improvements. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from Northwest Missouri State University and a minor in Geology.
Weller was appointed Interim Assistant Director of Public Works of Operations in December 2022 following Lawson’s retirement announcement.
“Lynden has served this city and community immeasurably in his time here. His commitment and leadership were evident in the many roles he served. He will be missed,” said Tony Robyn, Assistant City Manager. “We are fortunate to have Chad at this transition. He has been a longstanding team member and involved for years in many facets of Public Works and various city projects pre and post-disaster to present. He is a great addition to our leadership team.”
Lawson, Deputy Director of Public Works, has worked for the City since June 2013 when he was hired as the Operations Manager in charge of the Building Division, Neighborhood Improvement, Recycling, Transit, and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Public Works – Operations in January 2014, and added supervision of the Wastewater Treatment Division, City Facilities, Airport, Recycling and Solid Waste Management, Events Logistics, and Street and Sewer Maintenance to his previous responsibilities. In 2022, he was promoted to his current position as the Deputy Director of Public Works, assuming the Engineering Division and Public Works projects management.
Prior to working for the City, Lawson served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 2009 and retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9). During that period, he served in the Infantry as a Squad Leader, a Platoon Sergeant, an Operations Chief, at Training School Commands, as an Inspector Instructor, Recruiter, and as the Inspector General for the 1st Marine Logistics Group. While enlisted, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Phoenix University and a master’s degree in Homeland Security and Safety Engineering from National University.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, he worked for Jacobs Technology from 2009 to 2010 as the Stryker Program Management Representative in Iraq, overseeing General Dynamics Land Support with the United States Army. Upon returning to the States, he received his Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Development from Pittsburg State University. As part of that program, he requested an internship at the City of Joplin in the Human Resources Department.
Lawson has served as the coordinator for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in Crawford County, KS, for 13 years and is currently the President of the Sunflower Kiwanis in Pittsburg, KS.
He is married to Dr. Kirstin Lawson, who teaches history at Pittsburg State University, and has two children and six grandchildren.
Reference:
Lynn Iliff Onstot, Public Information Officer
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 204
LOnstot@joplinmo.org
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