LEWISTON — The Lewiston Public Works Department has a new director, Mary Ann Brenchick.
Originally from Maine, Brenchick has returned to the “state she loves” after six years in Virginia. Most recently, she has been executive director for Clean Valley Council in Roanoke, Va., encouraging environmental stewardship and education. She began her new role Sept. 24.
Deputy City Administrator Dale Doughty, whom she replaced, said, “I am excited to have Mary Ann join the Lewiston management team, and I am confident her leadership will help the city realize its economic and quality-of-life potential through efficient management of its infrastructure and services.”
Doughty was Lewiston public works director from 2018 to 2020 before accepting his current deputy role.
Brenchick has 16 years of municipal leadership experience, including as public works director for Old Orchard Beach and Kittery. In those positions, she managed service centers for streets, traffic, parks, beaches, fleet, facilities, sewer/storm drain systems, athletic fields and solid waste, as well as a regional recycling center. She was also traffic engineer for Portland.
Describing herself as an “enthusiastic, results-oriented manager,” she has a proven record of success in employee management, capital/operating budgeting, grant writing/administration, asset management, union negotiations/labor relations, strategic planning, marketing and community relations and federal/state funding programs, the city said in a news release. As a municipal leader, she has also focused on internal excellence and employee development.
She said her professional experiences have strengthened her ability to “to foster mutually beneficial relationships, overcome obstacles, and produce results.”
“I am most excited to get to know my team members at Lewiston Public Works,” Brenchick said. “I believe people are our greatest resource, and I am committed to helping each of them grow to their greatest potential. After gaining a deeper understanding of how to create a more sustainable community, I am dedicated to reviewing and prioritizing all the assets the city has in place now with a fresh set of eyes.”
Lewiston Public Works has 98 employees and the divisions include building, electrical services, engineering, highway, landscape and treework, recreation, solid waste and water and sewer.
Throughout her career, Brenchick has participated in and/or held positions with diverse entities to include the American Public Works Association, Institute of Transportation Engineers; Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Maine Development Foundation – Leadership Maine, and the Roanoke Valley Regional Planning Commission. She received her education from Antioch New England Graduate School, University of Southern Maine, and Central Maine Community College.
