Meet the Staff
City Engineer
Dave Clark, P.E.
Dave Clark was appointed as the Interim Public Works Director on March 8,2024. Dave also manages the Engineering Division in the Public Works Department which includes development, transportation, and environmental services. As a member of the Public Works Department Management Team, he assists the Director in planning projects, setting department goals, evaluating work and departmental effectiveness, and communicating with City Council, staff, and the public. Mr. Clark has been with the City of Champaign since
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Dave Clark was appointed as the Interim Public Works Director on March 8,2024. Dave also manages the Engineering Division in the Public Works Department which includes development, transportation, and environmental services. As a member of the Public Works Department Management Team, he assists the Director in planning projects, setting department goals, evaluating work and departmental effectiveness, and communicating with City Council, staff, and the public.
Mr. Clark has been with the City of Champaign since 1994. Prior to his promotion to City Engineer, he served as Assistant City Engineer for the Transportation Section, and prior to that he served in the roles of Civil Engineer I, II, and III.
Mr. Clark holds both a Bachelor and a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
He is a member of the American Public Works Association and is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.
Administrative Services Manager & Public Information Officer
Kris Koester
Kris Koester manages the Administrative Services Division of the Public Works Department, which includes Parking Programs, Administrative Services (Finance, Customer Service, Administrative Support), and Solid Waste/Recycling Collection. He also serves as the Public Information Officer for the department, acting as a liaison to the public and keeping the public up-to-date
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Kris Koester manages the Administrative Services Division of the Public Works Department, which includes Parking Programs, Administrative Services (Finance, Customer Service, Administrative Support), and Solid Waste/Recycling Collection. He also serves as the Public Information Officer for the department, acting as a liaison to the public and keeping the public up-to-date on the response to weather-related events, construction activities, and other newsworthy items. As a member of the Public Works Department Management Team, he assists the Director in planning projects, setting department goals, evaluating work and departmental effectiveness, and communicating with City Council, staff, and the public.
In addition, Kris is the LGBTQ Liaison for the City of Champaign. In this role, he provides an informed voice to the City Manager on LGBTQ issues in the Champaign community. Kris also works with the City’s Office of Equity, Community and Human Rights to develop community and employee events, along with participating in community-wide events like the Champaign-Urbana Pride Fest and Parade. Kris also works collaboratively with the Human Relations Commission and other City staff to promote equity and human rights for the LGBTQ community.
Kris has been with the City of Champaign since 2012. Prior to his promotion to Administrative Services Manager, he served as Administrative Services Supervisor – Customer Service in the Public Works Department.
Kris holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work, along with a Bachelor Degree in International Resource and Consumer Economics, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
He is a member of the American Public Works Association, Association for Community Organization and Social Administration, and Network for Social Work Management.
Operations Manager
Cory Conrad
Cory Conrad manages the Operations Division of Public Works and is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the work of the Operations Division, which includes the following work units: concrete, sewer, asphalt, streets, forestry, fleet, traffic and lighting, and building services. He is a member of the Public Works Department
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Cory Conrad manages the Operations Division of Public Works and is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the work of the Operations Division, which includes the following work units: concrete, sewer, asphalt, streets, forestry, fleet, traffic and lighting, and building services. He is a member of the Public Works Department Management Team, assisting the Public Works Director in planning projects, setting department goals, evaluating work and department effectiveness, and communicating with City Council, staff, and the public.
Mr. Conrad is responsible for the implementation of the City’s Snow and Ice control plan, yard waste collection program, and emergency storm response plan for the Operations Division of Public Works.
Mr. Conrad has been with the City of Champaign since 2012. He is a member of the American Public Works Association. Mr. Conrad received his B.A. from Bradley University in Peoria , IL