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WithersRavenel Chief Growth Officer Eddie Staley, PLS, GISP, has been recognized by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Public Works Association as the recipient of the 2026 Robert E. Linkner Private Sector Service Award.
The award recognizes private-sector professionals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing public works through leadership, service, innovation, and partnership. For Eddie, the recognition reflects a career spent helping communities across North Carolina and beyond better understand, manage, and plan for the infrastructure systems that support daily life.
“Eddie has made a lasting impact by helping communities across North Carolina and beyond address complex infrastructure challenges through innovation, technology, and strong partnerships,” said Chip Vanderzee, Retired Assistant City Manager and Past President of APWA-NC, in a LinkedIn post recognizing Eddie’s achievement.
Throughout his career, Eddie has worked alongside local governments to address the broad and evolving challenges associated with public infrastructure. His experience includes hundreds of asset inventory and condition assessments, infrastructure prioritization efforts, master planning, capital improvement planning, and funding strategies for communities of all sizes.
A certified GIS Professional and Professional Land Surveyor, Eddie has helped advance the use of GIS, asset management systems, and data-driven decision-making tools to improve operational efficiency and strengthen long-term planning. His work has supported statewide water and sewer mapping initiatives, route optimization efforts, integrated asset management solutions, and other technology-driven approaches that help public works agencies make informed decisions with limited resources.
At WithersRavenel, Eddie and his teams work with clients to define strategic goals and develop practical, tactical approaches for managing infrastructure. His leadership has helped communities move from reactive maintenance toward more proactive, sustainable, and data-informed infrastructure management.
Eddie has also been a committed leader within APWA-NC. He has served in numerous roles, including Chapter President and Technology Division President, and played an important role in establishing and growing the chapter’s Technology Division. Beyond his technical expertise, Eddie is widely respected as a mentor and educator who can translate complex concepts into clear, actionable guidance for public works professionals.
His decades of service in the local government sector have prepared him for the unique challenges communities face in maintaining public utilities, facilities, and critical infrastructure. Before serving as Chief Growth Officer, Eddie led WithersRavenel’s Client Experience Program and GIS Department for 10 years and later served as Director of Local Government Business Development. His career includes award-winning project experience and project management leadership on multiple efforts exceeding $1 million.
The Robert E. Linkner Private Sector Service Award honors professionals whose work reflects the highest standards of excellence and service to public works. Eddie’s career embodies those values through his commitment to community success, practical innovation, and the partnerships that help public agencies better serve their residents.
WithersRavenel congratulates Eddie on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his continued contributions to public works professionals, local governments, and the communities they serve.
