Nepszy named new city engineer
Windsor will have a new city engineer this fall — and he'll be coming from the municipal team of the Town of Essex.
Chris Nepszy has been announced as the City of Windsor's next city engineer and commissioner of infrastructure services, effective Sept. 7.
Nepszy brings with him 13 years of experience with the Town of Essex, where he has served as CAO, deputy CAO, and director of infrastructure and development.
“Essex has a special place in my heart. I've seen Essex grow to a municipality that's doing great things,” Nepszy said on Tuesday.
“But the professional opportunity with the City of Windsor, to be able to impact the city and the region — It's very exciting.”
Nepszy is registered as a professional engineer in both Ontario and Michigan. He achieved his science degree at the University of Windsor, and has worked in engineering in public and private sectors since 1995.
Nepszy said he's looking forward to the challenges of his new role — and he intends to hit the ground running.
“The City of Windsor has a very talented team in place. They already have the systems and policies in place. I'm looking forward to just getting in there and keeping it going,” Nepszy said.
Nepszy will be replacing Mark Winterton, who has been the city's engineer since 2015, but has worked for the municipality for a total of 30 years.
Winterton, 57, had planned to retire earlier than September, but put off his departure until a successor could be found.
Under Winterton's guidance, the City of Windsor established master plans for its sewers, transit, stormwater financing, environmental concerns, asset management, and active transportation.
Over the course of his career with the city, Winterton was involved in such projects as the grade separations on Walker Road, Howard Avenue, and Wellington Avenue; the multi-use path on Dougall Road; and the new City Hall building.
Nepszy described Winterton's career as “fantastic,” and lauded him for “setting the city up for success.”
“He's done a ton of heavy lifting to get the City of Windsor to where it's at now.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens also thanked and praised Winterton for his work and its lasting impact on Windsor.
“From roads and bridges to water and waste water and public transit — Mark has contributed his professional career to improving and renewing our local public infrastructure,” the mayor stated.
Top staff positions in City of Windsor administration have been undergoing big changes this year.
Longtime parks and recreation leader Jan Wilson announced her retirement in March, Jason Reynar became the city's new CAO in early April, and city clerk Valerie Critchley was terminated last month.