Meet the Staff
Public Works Director
Khalil Zaied
Khalil Zaied joined the City of Champaign Public Works Department in October 2022, after spending four years as Vice President for Special Projects for KCI Technologies. Prior to that he served as the Deputy City Manager for Public Works and Transportation for the City of El Paso, Texas from 2016-2018. Mr. Zaied spent the majority of his career with the City of Baltimore, Maryland, serving in a variety of roles from 1997-2016. This includes serving as
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Khalil Zaied joined the City of Champaign Public Works Department in October 2022, after spending four years as Vice President for Special Projects for KCI Technologies. Prior to that he served as the Deputy City Manager for Public Works and Transportation for the City of El Paso, Texas from 2016-2018. Mr. Zaied spent the majority of his career with the City of Baltimore, Maryland, serving in a variety of roles from 1997-2016. This includes serving as the Deputy Mayor for Operations, Director of Department of Transportation, Bureau Head of Department of Public Works, and several other management and engineering positions. Mr. Zaied holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Mr. Zaied has extensive experience managing a wide variety of public works operations, including: engineering and construction, mass transit, parking, permitting, fleet, snow removal, water distribution, stormwater management, sewers, traffic safety, parks and recreation, facility maintenance, environmental services, conduits, streetscape, and energy conservation. He has experience managing large capital projects ranging from bridges and highways to schools, museums and recreational facilities.
Mr. Zaied holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland
City Engineer
Dave Clark, P.E.
Dave Clark was appointed as the Acting Public Works Director on July 10, 2020. 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
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Dave Clark was appointed as the Acting Public Works Director on July 10, 2020. 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.
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
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.