Corning welcomes new public works director

Julie R. Johnson, Corning Observer, Calif.
·2 min read

Feb. 16—It has been a long time in the works, six years to be exact, for the City of Corning to find and hire a new Public Works Director.

However, the wait is over with the employment of Elijah Stanley, 30, of Chico who was introduced to the City Council during its Feb. 13 meeting.

Robin Kampmann, who had been working with the city as public works director on a contract-basis, said she had been hired six years ago on a short, six-month term.

"That term turned into six years," she added. "I am really excited for the city to have employed Elijah (Stanley) and I have full confidence he is going to do a great job." Kampmann's service to the city isn't over yet as the city council approved keeping her under contract as city engineer on an on-call basis focused on the city's larger projects, not the day-to-day components of the department. She is employed full-time as director of Civil Department Management at NorthStar Engineering.

"I truly believe the city is in good hands with its new public works director," Kampmann said. "I have been working alongside him for the past few weeks and I have found Elijah (Stanley) to be very competent and ready to hit the ground running."

Stanley has been leading the public works department since Feb. 5, and during that time has been getting to know those he will be working with.

"I have met everyone on the crew and they all seem like a great group to be working with," he added. "I hope for their full support as I learn the ropes inside and outside City Hall."

Stanley comes from a strong construction background having worked as a supervisor for Modern Building in Chico and construction manager for Granite Construction.

He earned his Construction Management Degree at University of California, Chico after graduating from Pleasant Valley High School.

"After working in private construction for several years I decided it was a good time to look at the public or municipal-side of the industry," Stanley said. "When the job offer came from Corning I was ready to take that step and experience the different facets of the public sector."

Moving forward, Stanley said he is looking closely at the city's roadways, drainage and other infrastructure issues.

"I am looking forward to seeing the city continue to improve and being part of a department involved in those improvements," Stanley said.

He is married and the father of three children, ages 6, 1 and a newborn. His hobbies, when not busy being a husband and dad, are sports-related, including swimming, baseball and basketball.

"But really, being a dad is my favorite hobby," Stanley said.

Previous to Kampmann and Stanley's service in Corning's public works department, the last director was Dawn Grine, who left employment with the city in 2017.