Hershner named new Cedar Rapids utilities director

Steve Hershner, the city of Cedar Rapids' interim utilities director since last August, has been named city utilities director by City Manager Jeff Pomeranz.

Hershner, 57, had been the city's utilities environmental manager when Pat Ball, the city's former utilities director, left in August to take a private-sector job.

On Wednesday, Pomeranz called Hershner "hardworking" and "technically qualified" and said he has done "an outstanding job" as interim utilities director in the last several months.

Pomeranz said the city conducted a national search for Ball's replacement and interviewed three finalists in the process of selecting Hershner.

"I have a great deal of confidence in Steve. He's the person to lead the department," the city manager said.

The city's utilities director oversees the city's Water Division, Water Pollution Control Facility and its solid waste/recycling operation.