Hamilton chooses next executive director of infrastructure, a key city position

Jun. 10—Hamilton has chosen Edwin Porter to serve as its executive director of infrastructure beginning in August, when the interim director, Dan Moats, retires after more than 40 years with the city's utilities.

It's a big job: In addition to overseeing five city utilities — electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and storm water — Porter also will oversee the city's public works and engineering operations. Hamilton is the only Ohio city that operates all those utilities.

Hamilton's utilities have 270 employees and a combined annual operating budget of more than $179 million.

Porter, 35, has worked for the city since August of 2017. He worked in the city's utility operations group, which works with all the city's utility plants. His salary is still under negotiation.

"I'm just excited to have an opportunity to continue serving the organization, to continue serving the city, the businesses and the citizens of the community," Porter said.

Before joining Hamilton's staff, Porter worked for the Blue Ash office of the international engineering consulting firm CH2M Hill.

Noting Hamilton is Ohio's only city with all its own utilities, Moats said, "There is a lot that goes into keeping them all in alignment and working together to provide the award winning service our residents are used to."

Moats took the interim position a few months ago after the former director, Jim Logan, accepted a top position with the high-tech shipbuilding firm, W International. Logan since has been named president of that company.

"I am excited for Edwin to showcase his many skills as he transitions to the executive director of infrastructure role later this summer," said City Manager Joshua Smith. "His ten years as a consulting engineer at CH2M Hill leading significant projects on multiple continents, and more recently, his four years leading large projects for us, have made him uniquely qualified for this role."

Porter enjoys identifying and implementing innovative ideas, processes, and programs to eliminate waste, maximize efficiency and develop a culture of continuous improvement.

Hamilton's utilities have blazed some trails for municipal operations in the state. The city owns three hydroelectric plants, one along the Great Miami River and two on the Ohio River. Its tap water has received several awards through the years for excellent taste. Its natural-gas utility provides natural gas for trucks at a station along Ohio 4.

He is a past president of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers and served several years on its board of governors. He has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and holds Professional Engineer designations in multiple states. He is married to his wife of 10 years, Heather, a seventh-grade teacher within the Northwest Local School District. They have two children.