Ozarks Profile

A registered professional engineer with the city of Springfield, Newman is the assistant Public Works director and city traffic engineer responsible for the traffic engineering and engineering divisions of the Department of Public Works. Newman served as city traffic engineer for the city of Springfield from 1974 to 1992 before joining George Butler Associates Inc., a consulting firm based in Lenexa, Kan., as engineering manager for the firm's branch office in Springfield. While with the city in his previous position, Newman was project manager for the development of the computerized traffic signal system master plan and construction of phase I of the project, which included interconnection of 90 traffic signals. As a private consultant, Newman prepared the transportation master plan for the Branson area, which has been the basis for most of the roadway improvements constructed since 1990. While with Butler Associates, Newman was in charge of the design of the James F. Epps Road and Gretna Road bridge projects in Branson, and design of the East Trafficway drainage improvements and Battlefield Road intersections at Campbell and National in Springfield.

Age: 53

No. of years in Springfield/area: 25

Education: Southeast High School, Kansas City; Kansas City Junior College; University of Missouri-Columbia (bachelor's degree in civil engineering, 1967); Pennsylvania State University-State College, Pa. (master's degree in civil engineering specializing in traffic engineering, 1972).

Early career: Newman worked as a highway design engineer for Howard, Needles, Tammen and Bergendoff (HNTB) in Kansas City from 1967 to 1969. Following a two-year stint in the Army, he worked as a transportation engineer with Wilbur Smith & Associates in Houston, Texas. He then returned to HNTB until 1974, when he began his first period of employment with the city of Springfield.

Current projects: "Catching up on 6 1/2 years away from city employment. The number of projects and issues has grown tremendously, but traffic congestion is still the No. 1 concern for the community."

Management philosophy: "Strive to be fair. Take time to get to know the people you work with and those you serve."

Spare-time pursuits: Newman is an avid SMSU sports fan. He also enjoys reading (currently "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff") and traveling.

Family data: Married for 30 years to Jan Newman, who works in the Southwest Missouri State University department of health, physical education and recreation. Two children, Shari and Julie, both of Springfield.

[[In-content Ad]]