December 11, 2015 - Justin Brugger has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Fort Wayne City Utilities. Brugger will replace Len Poehler who was named City Controller earlier this week. Brugger will begin his new duties on January 1, 2016.
Brugger currently serves as Director of the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission and manages the staff of the Redevelopment Department within the City’s Community Development Division. Brugger has been in his current position since May 2014.
Under Brugger’s leadership, recent redevelopment projects have included the Ash Skyline Plaza and Skyline Garage development; Cityscape Flats housing near Parkview Field; South Fort Wayne Retail initiative; a new tax increment finance (TIF) district in the Quimby Village area; U.S. 30 corporate office park; construction of shell buildings for economic and business growth; and Transpoint Intermodal’s cargo transfer site.
“We’re looking forward to having Justin as part of our leadership team in City Utilities,” said Kumar Menon, Director of City Utilities. “We appreciate his professionalism and dedication to public service. He will be a tremendous asset in our efforts to continue to provide award-winning water, sewer, and stormwater services. His knowledge and background in City Utilities will be invaluable as we complete current projects and begin new initiatives as Fort Wayne continues to be a leader in financial strategies and excellent customer service for residents and businesses.”
“This is a great opportunity to continue to serve the City and work to make a positive difference,” said Brugger. “I’m fortunate to be in position to be part of the positive momentum we’re experiencing in our community. I’m honored to join a team that’s involved with so many innovative projects aimed at making Fort Wayne a recognized leader in utility services and unique quality of life amenities to encourage economic growth and opportunities for residents.”
Previously, Brugger was a Senior Program Manager for City Utilities and was instrumental in managing implementation of the City’s consent decree with the federal government to reduce combined sewer overflows. He developed a financial capability analysis resulting in one of the country’s lowest cost per capita Clean Water Act consent decrees. It has since been used as a model by other communities in environmental negotiations.
Brugger has worked for the City since January 2002. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and a master’s degree in public management from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, the Anthony Wayne Rotary Club, and teaches a public finance course at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).