Dayton, Ohio – The City of Dayton has officially appointed Tom Ritchie, Jr. as the new Director of the Department of Public Works. City Manager Shelley Dickstein announced the appointment, highlighting Ritchie’s extensive experience and leadership in public service.
A Veteran Leader Takes the Helm
Ritchie, who officially stepped into his new role yesterday, brings 37 years of experience working for the City of Dayton, with 30 of those years spent in the Division of Waste Collection. Throughout his career, he has held various roles, including collector, driver, supervisor, and division manager from 2003 to 2018. Since 2018, he has served as the deputy director of the Department of Public Works, gaining valuable expertise in managing critical infrastructure and services.
As Public Works Director, Ritchie now oversees 238 full- and part-time employees across five key divisions:
- Waste Collection
- Street Maintenance
- Civil Engineering
- Fleet Management
- Property Management
He also manages the department’s $183 million annual budget, ensuring that Dayton’s public services remain efficient and well-maintained.
A Track Record of Accomplishments
During his tenure as deputy director, Ritchie played a major role in developing employee training programs, strengthening labor relations, and negotiating labor contracts. He was also instrumental in leading the department’s participation in Dayton Recovery Plan-funded projects, particularly those focused on neighborhood blight removal.
City Manager Shelley Dickstein expressed confidence in Ritchie’s ability to continue improving essential public services: “As Public Works director, Tom Ritchie will continue to make a great difference for Dayton residents and businesses, as well as employees. We look forward to his continued contributions to essential public services in Dayton.”
A New Chapter Following Stovall’s Retirement
Ritchie replaces Fred Stovall, who retired after 24 years of service with the City of Dayton. His leadership left a lasting impact on the community, and Ritchie now takes on the responsibility of continuing and expanding upon the department’s successes.
With his decades of experience and dedication to public service, Ritchie is well-positioned to lead the Department of Public Works forward, ensuring that Dayton’s infrastructure, waste management, and public spaces remain well-maintained and efficient.
