Effective immediately, Wade Giddens will assume responsibilities
St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim named Wade Giddens, formerly the Utility Field Operations Manager, Deputy Director of the Utilities Department, working under Stephen Slaughter, P.E., the department director.
Giddens first started his career in 1994 with the City of St. Augustine as a laborer, working his way up to Meter Maintenance Supervisor in 2004 and then to the Utility Maintenance Supervisor in 2005. He briefly left the City in 2006 to work for an underground site utilities company as a Site Superintendent, but returned in 2009 as the Utility Field Operations Manager, where he worked until this recent promotion.
“Wade has a proven talent in leadership, operations, problem-solving, and in developing plans for improvement, not just within his own division, but across the city,” Birchim stated. “With over 26 years of experience, most of which is here at the city, I am confident that Wade will continue to demonstrate not only his skills as a supervisor and manager, but he will thrive in this very important role as our newly selected Deputy Director.”
Over the last 14 years as Manager of Field Operations, Giddens’ priority was to build and improve operations in the division, as well as develop his employees into a high-functioning, cohesive team with the ability to conquer any task set before them without hesitation.
“It is an honor to be selected for this position! It is a continued goal of mine to see to it that we maintain the highest level of customer service and support to the City’s residents, utility customers, and all departments throughout the city,” Giddens said of his new role. “I am most grateful that my Field Operations staff have the immediate opportunity to take on new roles as well. The challenges we face will continue to strengthen the City’s Utility Department for success. The future is bright!”
For media inquiries, contact Melissa Wissel, Communications Director, at 904.293.3307 or via email at mwissel@citystaug.com.