Marc Thornsberry is ending his tenure as head of the city of Springfield's Public Works Department in April.
Thornsberry is taking a position as division traffic safety engineer with the Federal Highway Administration in Jefferson City. He served as public works director for Cole County before coming to Springfield in 1992; prior to that, he was Jefferson City engineering supervisor.
City Manager Greg Burris named Assistant Public Works Directors Phil Broyles and Steve Meyer as co-interim department directors.
As head of public works, Thornsberry oversees more than 325 employees responsible for general services, street maintenance, engineering, storm water services, traffic engineering, sanitary services and solid waste management.
"We are very proud of the work Marc and his department have accomplished during his tenure," Burris said in a news release. Burris noted that Thornsberry's department oversaw several new projects, including the country's first diverging-diamond interchange at Interstate 44 and Kansas Expressway. "Springfield is a better place because of Marc's work here. We wish him the best as he starts this new chapter of his career."
Thornsberry was named one of the Top 10 Public Works Leaders by the American Public Works Association and was inducted into the Academy of Civil Engineers at what is now Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is past president of the Missouri chapter of the American Public Works Association and the Missouri Highway Engineers Association.
Thornsberry is the latest of several long-time city employees to announce retirements.
Deputy City Manager
Evelyn Honea is retiring in May after 28 years with the city.
Police Chief Lynn Rowe retired in January after 17 years. Park Operations Supervisor Leon Henderson, Traffic Engineer Earl Newman and Building and Development Services Director Nick Heatherly have also announced their retirement since November.[[In-content Ad]]
