Jim McGonagle, CAFM, CPFP, previously director of Central Fleet Management for the City of Boston, has been named Public Works commissioner for the City of Newton, Mass. In his new role, McGonagle will oversee not only fleet but also city engineering, highway transportation, and the water and sewer divisions.

Bill Coughlin has been named as his replacement. Coughlin has worked in the automotive industry for 40 years and has been with Central Fleet Management for 28 years. Before his promotion, he was the foreman of Central Fleet's heavy repair shop. Coughlin is ASE Master Certified and has experience working as a fleet manager for a delivery company and an ambulance service.

McGonagle’s last day was June 30, and his first day at Newton is August 24. He worked at the Boston fleet for five years and previously worked at the Town of Groton, Conn., fleet for 22 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

At the City of Boston, he worked with consultants to turn the fleet around, creating a vehicle replacement program, remodeling and updating aging facilities, and incentivizing staff to earn ASE certifications. He served on the 2013-2015 Government Fleet advisory board. 

The Boston fleet consists of more than 1,000 vehicles.