Lodi promotes worker to street supervisor after 20 years of service
After 20 years working for the Lodi Streets Department, Jesse Barnett was recently promoted to Streets Supervisor.
“I appreciate the opportunity (to become) the Street Department Supervisor, and will continue providing a high standard of community service that Lodi deserves,” Barnett said.
He was more enthused to get the new position than he was surprised, he said.
Public Works Director Charlie Swimley and Barnett’s immediate supervisor, Interim Utility Superintendent Andrew Richle, both felt he was deserving of the promotion.
“A lot of things prompted us to choose Jesse as the supervisor. First and foremost, he has the technical skills and is very familiar with a lot of the new technology and programs that are now available to the Streets Department,” Richle said. “He’s got the experience and the technical knowledge to push the streets department into the new generation and in a new direction.” Swimley agreed. “He has the right attitude, the right skillset and the right demeanor to excel in that position,” he said. “He’s a great guy.”
Prior to the promotion, Barnett had been working as a Street Maintenance Worker III. Now, as Streets Supervisor, he will be responsible for overseeing several functions of the Streets Department, including signage through out the town, evaluating streets and performing pavement surveys to make sure they are up to par.
With the promotion, Barnett is looking forward to maintaining a solid working relationship with his fellow staff members and building a great team with future employees.
“I feel the future of the Streets Division is going to evolve and become an even better department,” Barnett said.
Barnett holds state certifications in Wastewater (Stormwater) Collections and Pesticide/Herbicides Applications. He also completed a 4-module course from the American Public Works Association in Supervision in Public Works.
Barnett was inspired to get into the public works industry after watching his father work for the California Department of Transportation as a tree trimmer on the Sierra Highways.
“I guess it motivated me to follow the same path of public service,” he said.
What Barnett enjoys the most about his job with the city is working with the public.
“I live here in Lodi, along with friends and family, so I take pride in keeping Lodi great,” he said.
Maintaining the streets isn’t always easy. Like people in all careers, Barnett does faces some challenges. Working with what’s available when the budget doesn’t allow for adequate materials is one of the biggest challenges Barnett has faced during his public works career.
“Over the years, we didn’t always have the budget or staffing to allow for certain projects or equipment. So you find ways to be creative and work with what you have. Prioritization is key,” he said.
During the course of his career Barnett has enjoyed several great moments. He recalls helping to re-set the Golden Bear on top of the Lodi Arch after it was restored, which he called one of the most memorable moments in his career with the city.
“The Lodi Arch is an icon for this city and has had a lot of history to go through it over the years. It’s nice to be a small part of that,” he said.
Outside of his career, Barnett enjoys bass fishing, kayaking and building custom vehicles in his spare time. He is also a devoted husband and father.
“I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 20 years, and we have a beautiful 19-year-old daughter together, who is currently off to college at Grand Canyon University in Arizona,” he said.
According to Barnett, his family has always remained supportive of his career and wanted to see him excel.
“They have always understood that sometimes I would have to leave at dinner or take off at 2 a.m. to an emergency call-out,” he said. “My wife and daughter have always kept me grounded and focused.”
Barnett is very thankful for his career and the opportunities it has created for him and appreciates being able to work for a city like Lodi.
“During my 20-year career working for Lodi I have seen the city change quite a bit, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the special charm Lodi has always had,” he said. “It’s been a great community to live, work and raise my family in. Lodi also has an excellent city staff that works hard to preserve a high quality of service.”