About This Group
The mission of the New Initiatives Committee is to support APWA’s strategic goals by reviewing and funding new initiatives that advance the association’s Strategic Plan. The committee is authorized by the Board of Directors to approve proposals within an annual, Board-approved funding level and focuses on initiatives that strengthen membership growth and engagement, expand education and credentialing, enhance technology and innovation, elevate public visibility and advocacy efforts, and advance research and professional practice in public works.
Contact Us
Email the New Initiatives Committee.
New Initiatives Program Applications
Visit the New Initiatives Program page to learn more about submitting an application for funding a new program. Spring application cycle is closed. A fall application cycle will be launched in September 2026.
Committee Roster
Chair and APWA Finance Committee Representative
Jeffery Brown, PE
Town of Wendell
Assistant Town Manager
Wendell, North Carolina
APWA President-Elect
Laura Kroeger, PE
Mile High Flood District
Executive Director
Denver, Colorado
Member: APWA Strategic Planning Committee Representative
Paul McElhaney
Lower Merion Township
Director of Public Works
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Member: National Committee Member
Jenny O’Brien
Public Worker Bee
Consultant
Lawrence, Kansas
Member: ELA Graduate Representative
Salvador Galvan, EIT
Rick Engineering Company
Principal Project Manager
San Diego, California
Member: CoC Delegate-Arizona Chapter Representative
Chris Ewell
Entellus
Project Principal
Phoenix, Arizona
Member: CoC Delegate-Delaware Chapter Representative
Tim Anderson, PE
Anderson Civil Engineering
Engineer
Middletown, Delaware
Member: YP Committee Member Representative
Selina Lee Brandon, PE
WSB
Senior Project Manager
Austin, Texas
Member: CoC Delegate-Iowa Representative
Ronald Knoche, PE
City of Iowa City
Director of Public Works
Iowa City, Iowa
Member: National Committee Member
Sarah Mark
City of Moline
Fleet & Facilities Coordinator
Moline, Illinois
Member: International Constituents Committee Representative
Mr. Rylan Wadsworth, PMP
Ville de Montreal-Ouest
PW Director
Montreal-Ouest, Quebec, Canada
Member: At-Large Young Professional Representative
Samantha H. Yager, CPWP-S
City of Columbia
Solid Waste Superintendent
Columbia, South Carolina
APWA Staff Liaison
Julie Bebermeyer
American Public Works Association
Chief Operating Officer
Kansas City, Missouri