Richard T. Berning, P.E. of Springfield, Ill., was recently appointed to the board of directors of the American Public Works Assn. (APWA) by board action. Berning will serve for a one-year term on the 17-member governing board of the 28,500-member organization of public works professionals from throughout North America.
As Region V director on the board, he will focus on APWA strategic issues including advocacy for infrastructure, building strong chapters, and enhancing professional development and education programs. He will also work directly with chapters in Region V including Chicago Metro, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Ontario and Wisconsin.
Berning has been a member of APWA for more than 25 years. At the national level, he has served as a member of the Government Affairs Committee, the Master’s Degree Task Force, and the National Nominating Committee. He is a Past President of the Illinois Chapter, has served as Chapter Delegate of the Illinois Chapter for the past seven years and is a member of the Illinois Public Service Institute Advisory Board. In addition to APWA, Berning is also a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, and the Institute of Traffic Engineers.
Berning worked in the public works profession for most of his career in both the public and private sectors. Prior to his retirement in 2004, he served as Director of Public Works for the City of Springfield, with 234 full-time employees and an operational budget of more than $36 million. Currently, Berning works as a self-employed engineering consultant.
Berning has a B.S. in civil engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology and an M.A. in administration from the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Source: American Public Works Assn.
