SANDY SPRINGS, Ga., Aug. 20, 2008 — Proclaiming her the "road warrior," American City & County magazine has selected Sandy Springs, Ga., Public Works Director Angelia Parham as its 2008 "Public Works Director of the Year." The magazine presents the award annually to recognize outstanding leadership in public works.

The 2008 award recognizes Parham's efforts in leading the physical transformations that the new city’s elected officials and residents have sought for decades. Transportation, including infrastructure maintenance and traffic management, has been her No. 1 priority. Through long-term projects supported by state and federal agencies, as well as minor changes like road striping and signal timing, she and her team have reduced congestion and improved traffic flow through the city.

"Angelia Parham is a trailblazer," says Bill Wolpin, editorial director of American City & County. "She has created out of whole cloth a well-oiled machine that has tackled a series of problems that have been festering for decades."

Parham has been responsible for establishing the public works operations for Sandy Springs, which incorporated in 2005 and contracts with CH2M HILL OMI for public works and other general government services. Georgia's sixth-largest city, Sandy Springs is located just north of Atlanta and is home to nearly 98,000 residents.

"The activity of the Public Works Department under Director Parham's leadership has been amazing. Ms. Parham has managed to improve our traffic problems by common sense changes that do not cost millions. She is certainly deserving of this important award," says Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos.

"We couldn't be prouder of Angelia and our team in Sandy Springs," says Elisa Speranza, president of CH2M HILL OMI. "Public works is a noble, unsung profession, and Angelia is helping redefine what it means to deliver vital public services with excellence every day."

The subscribers of American City & County submit nominations for the Public Works Director of the Year Award. The editorial staff selects the award recipient each year.

The August issue of the magazine profiles Parham and her award-winning contributions to Sandy Springs. The public-private partnership between the city and CH2M HILL OMI also is featured in the magazine's cover story, "Private Works."

Parham earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee. She is a registered Professional Engineer. Prior to joining CH2M HILL OMI in April 2006, she served as deputy director of the City of Roswell, Ga., transportation department for three years. From 1995 to 2003, Parham worked at the Texas Transportation Institute, where she conducted research for the Texas Department of Transportation and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program.

Parham serves as a member of Transportation Research Board Committee AHB65, Operational Effects of Geometrics. One of six divisions of the National Research Council, TRB provides leadership in transportation innovation with support from state transportation departments and the U.S. Department of Transportation. She also has been an active member of professional associations, including the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American Public Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers, in which she served as president of the Knoxville, Tenn., chapter in the early 1990s.

American City & County has been the voice of state and local government since 1909. Published monthly by Penton Media, the largest independent business-to-business media company in the U.S., the magazine serves a nationwide audience of city and county officials who are charged with developing and implementing local government policy, programs and projects.

Clients in government and industry rely on CH2M HILL OMI to provide a range of custom-tailored operations and maintenance solutions. The company's services include water and wastewater system optimization; contract O&M of water, wastewater and other utilities; and complete municipal operations, including administration, public works and community development – all backed by a commitment to safety, quality, innovation and customer service. Founded by CH2M HILL in 1980, the Englewood-based company serves clients in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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