New official to help fulfill plan

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Tuesday named a key new member of his administration who will play a critical role in implementing some 450 projects from the city’s $937 million bond package approved by voters in overwhelming fashion last week.

Eulois Cleckley will take over as executive director of Denver’s Department of Public Works on Dec. 11, helming one of the most robust arms of city government, one that manages everything from public infrastructure to transportation.

“We looked all over the country,” Hancock said in announcing Cleckley’s appointment.

Cleckley will come to Denver from his role as deputy director of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, where he oversees transportation strategy across an eight-county area.

He also served as chief of the field operations division at the Washington, D.C., District Department of Transportation and as a transportation and planning consultant and specialist for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

He will make about $190,000 a year.

“A key priority of mine will be to ensure that the projects and services provided by the Department of Public Works are delivered in an efficient and effective manner for the residents of Denver,” Cleckley said.