Public Works Staff

Richard Young, P.E.
Director of Public Works

I am a licensed engineer with 39 years experience in the field, after 6 years with the City I was appointed Director of Public Works in February of 2008. I also served as City Engineer and Manager of the Engineering Bureau since 2006.

Craig Messinger
Deputy Director of Public Works

I have been employed by the City of Allentown for more
than 23 years with the majority of service with the Streets Department. I currently have 12 years of experience in a management position as Fleet Manager with 6 of those years also as Streets Superindentent.

In May of 2012 I became the Deputy Director of Public Works with the mindset on improving operations throughout Public Works. I now have direction over 5 departments including: Streets, Solid Waste & Recycling, Traffic, Building Maintenance, and the Municipal Garage.

My goal is to make this into one cohesive team and make us think as one while improving all apsects and service for the citizens of Allentown.

Don Hoegg
Facilities Manager

I joined the City as Facilities Manager in 2010 after 35 years in the building materials business. My career spanned the full range from production to wholesale distribution to retail management.

With the City celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2012, there are significant structures owned by the City that date back to the earliest years of the City.
I am proud to be a part of maintaining all of the buildings and also to be a resident of the City for nearly 20 years.

Mark Shahda
Streets Superintendent

I started my employment with the City of Allentown 15 years ago as a Maintenance Worker and worked my way to Chief Maintenance Supervisor for the Streets Department.

In May of 2012 I became Streets Superintendent with the intention of providing the citizens of Allentown with effective and efficient services regarding street paving, snow plowing, leaf clean up, and street cleaning.

Ron Penrose
Traffic Control Superintendent

I have been employed with the City of Allentown since 1979. My first position was City Planner in the Bureau of Planning. In 1989 I took the position of Traffic Technician in the Bureau of Traffic Planning and Control. In 2005 I was named acting Bureau Manager in that same Bureau and then in 2008 I was officially named the City's Traffic Control Superintendent.

Ann Saurman
Manager to Bureau of Recycling & Solid Waste

I began working for the City of Allentown in 1988 in the Bureau of Health and in 1992 I joined the Recycling Program as the Education and Enforcement Manager for the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste. I managed and coordinated all of the Bureau's public education and enforcement efforts. In 2005, SWEEP (Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program) was created and I developed and managed the program. The program focuses on the compliance of the Solid Waste Ordinance, Residential and Commercial Recycling Ordinance and the Neighborhood Improvement Ordinance.

In 2006 I was promoted to Bureau Manager overseeing 20 employees, administering the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund and all bureau functions and programs. Bureau programs include curbside residential trash and recycling collection and disposal; commercial recycling; a recycling drop off center; the hauling of recyclable materials to market; yard waste drop off, grinding and screening operations; the SWEEP program, graffiti abatement, public space recycling and litter collections from public receptacles; collection of trash and recycling from city facilities, young and adult education programs, illegal dumpsite cleanups, Keep Allentown Beautiful and animal control.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Pennsylvania State University, 1983.