APWA Welcomes New President, Robert Garland, and Two New Board Members

KANSAS CITY, MO—The American Public Works Association (APWA) is honored to announce that Robert Garland, PE, PWLF, Vice President and Regional Director, McKim & Creed, Sarasota, Florida, has been sworn in as President of APWA effective August 30, 2026. Affirmed by APWA’s more than 33,000 members, President Garland will lead the organization for the 2026–2027 term. President Garland succeeds APWA President Vic Bianes, PE.

Robert Garland, PE, PWLF

Garland has been providing engineering, management, operational, and construction services to the public works industry for 40 years. During that time, he has partnered with frontline workers, public works directors, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and residents to develop innovative solutions that provide higher levels of service while maintaining affordable rate structures and tax bases. He has frequently presented at national, regional, and state conferences and has authored diverse technical papers on public works issues.

Garland joined APWA in 2006 and immediately became active at both the chapter and branch levels. He was asked to chair the Southwest Florida Branch in 2010, a role he held for two consecutive terms, in order to address declining attendance at branch meetings. Attendance at the branch’s monthly meetings increased by approximately 340% during his two terms, and the branch received its first Florida Chapter Presidential Award for Branch Excellence in 2011. Garland began his progression as a chapter officer in 2013, serving as Vice President, President-Elect, and then President in 2015–16. He continued his service to the chapter as an alternate delegate and then as a delegate. He has served on the APWA Board of Directors since 2022, beginning as the Region IV Director and ultimately serving as President.

“My primary commitment is to bring added value to our members. To me, success should not be measured solely by the number of members we have, but more importantly, it should be measured by the quality of services we provide,” said President Garland. “If public works professionals realize the true value that membership in APWA brings to them and their communities, growth will follow.”

President Garland will be joined by President-Elect Laura Kroeger, PE, and two new APWA Board of Director members who were sworn in during PWX 2026 in Houston: Chris Anderson, AScT, CPWP-M, and Donald Huling.

Laura Kroeger, PE

Laura Kroeger, PE, is the Executive Director of the Mile High Flood District (MHFD). This regional agency collaborates with 40 local municipalities and counties in the Denver metro area to mitigate flood risks and protect people, property, and the environment. Kroeger played a crucial role in restructuring MHFD to align its organizational structure with strategic goals using a Watershed Management approach. She also created an alternative process called Project Partners. This relationship-based approach brings together a diverse team of experts at a project’s onset to work collaboratively and deliver project goals at the best value. Kroeger has served on the APWA Board of Directors since 2020, beginning as the Leadership and Management Technical Director.

Donald Huling

Donald Huling is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer at HWA Geosciences, Inc. with 20 years of experience delivering geotechnical solutions for complex public works projects across Washington state. He has a passion for design and construction of complex bridge projects, having provided geotechnical recommendations for 73 regional bridges over his tenure. In addition to his design experience, he has focused on the professional development of his colleagues and industry partners through intentional mentorship and teamwork. Since 2011, Huling has been an active member of the Washington State Chapter of APWA. He has held nearly every leadership position in the chapter during his tenure.

Chris Anderson, AScT, CPWP-M

Chris Anderson, AScT, CPWP-M, is the Public Works Manager for the City of West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, where he serves as the administrative leader for the city’s water supply and treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, roads and drainage, construction, fleet, and solid waste divisions of public works. He has held this position since 2016. Anderson first became engaged with APWA as a member of the 10th class of the Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) in 2016. Shortly after his ELA experience, he began serving as an at-large board member for the British Columbia Chapter, culminating in his election as chapter president in 2021 and 2022.