MACOMB, IL - Walter Burnett, CAFM, public works director for the City of Macomb, Ill., retired on April 30. Following retirement, Burnett said he plans to stay in Macomb. Burnett had 38 years of public service at the time of retirement. Previously, Burnett was fleet manager for the City of Beverly Hills, Calif., where he retired in 2006. In addition, he was a nominee for the Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year Award in 2006 and 2007.

One of Burnett’s significant accomplishments while at the City of Beverly Hills was achieving the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal Certification with more than 90 percent ASE-certified technicians. Another accomplishment at Beverly Hills was developing a National Incident Management System (NIMS)-compliant emergency-response system that integrates the fleet department into the city’s emergency support operations. This resulted in fleet services becoming an essential partner to the city’s emergency response team. A final accomplishment at the City of Beverly Hills was completing the design of a LEED-certified “green” fleet service facility.

Burnett said his most significant accomplishment at the City of Macomb was contributing to the founding of the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network, which is the first statewide member-organized public works mutual aid organization in the U.S.

By Mike Antich