Brenna Fall named Cedar Rapids Public Works director

CEDAR RAPIDS — Brenna Fall, a Cedar Rapids Public Works employee the past seven years, was tapped as the department’s director starting Wednesday.

As public works director, Fall will oversee engineering, traffic, streets, real estate, sewer conveyance and department administration, according to a news release. The department has about 165 employees.

Fall’s annual salary is $171,122.

Fall, who’s been with the city since 2017, succeeds Bob Hammond, who retired in mid-June, according to the city’s Human Resources Department. Hammond became director in December 2021, coming from Kennewick, Wash., where he had been public works director and city manager.

In her new role, Fall will develop and implement capital improvement and maintenance programs for much of the city’s public infrastructure.

She will manage a large annual budget — $26.6 million in fiscal 2025 — and coordinate city teams and responses during emergencies.

Fall previously served as assistant public works director, city engineer and capital improvement program manager, playing a significant role in advancing Cedar Rapids’ capital improvement and maintenance programs.

Fall’s past engineering experience includes program management and consulting engineer work at Snyder & Associates, a regional engineering consulting firm, where she focused on transportation projects, including roadway widening, reconstruction and developing regional recreational trail systems.

“We are proud to welcome Brenna into her new role as the leader of our Public Works Department,” City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said in a statement. “We are confident in her ability to lead a strong team dedicated to improving public infrastructure and quality of life.

“As Cedar Rapids continues to grow, Brenna’s expertise will strengthen our efforts to build a sustainable and thriving community for people and businesses, now and for the next generation.”

Fall grew up north of Marion and graduated from Linn-Mar High School. She earned a degree in civil engineering at Iowa State University.

She is a licensed professional engineer in Iowa and a member of the American Public Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers and Iowa Engineering Society, where she served as president of the Herbert Hoover Chapter.

Fall was recognized as the Iowa Engineering Society Central Chapter’s Outstanding Young Engineer in 2011.

“I am honored to lead the Public Works Department during this period of record-breaking growth and public infrastructure investment,” Fall said. “With our accredited agency status, one of only four in Iowa, and a dedicated team, we have a solid foundation to build upon.

“The department’s nearly 200 employees inspire me every day with their pride and commitment to the transformative improvements we are making for our community. I am also excited to join the city’s executive leadership team and contribute to our shared vision for Cedar Rapids’ future.”

Fall and her husband have two boys, who attend school in the College Community School District.

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