Written By:
WithersRavenel Client Success Manager Keith Pugh, PE, PWLF, has been named President-Elect of the American Public Works Association (APWA). As such, Keith will serve as President-Elect before assuming the duties of President in late August, when the APWA gathers for its national PWX 2022 conference in Charlotte.
During a long municipal career, Keith has embodied dedication to public works. Before retiring from the City of High Point as its Engineering Services Director in 2019, he also had a long tenure of public works service and leadership for the City of Greensboro. During this time, he has continuously been active in APWA service at the state and national levels. In North Carolina, he has served on the chapter’s Leadership and Management Division board, later becoming its president. He has also been Chapter Director, Chapter Awards Committee Chair, Chapter President, and Chapter Delegate. Keith has also served nationally on the Government Affairs Committee (five years, with two as chair), Engineering and Technology Committee, the Projects of the Year Selection Committee, and he co-chaired the 2013 North American Snow Conference host committee.
Additionally, Keith focuses on giving back to the community, specifically through his involvement with Make-A-Wish of Central and Western NC. He spends every other weekend from February through October hiking and training participants in the Trailblaze Challenge. The challenge is one of the local Make-A-Wish’s biggest fundraisers, with each participant agreeing to raise a minimum of $2,500 for the opportunity to hike 28.3 miles in a single day along the Foothills Trail.
Since completing the Challenge myself in 2017, I’ve worked as a volunteer hike leader training and preparing the next group of hikers,Keith said. In total, I’d estimate the Trailblaze Challenge raises more than $750,000 annually for the Central and Western NC Chapter.”
At WithersRavenel, Keith is highly regarded for his insight and municipal perspective while serving on-call public sector clients. He approaches his job with a public works service mindset, which his clients appreciate and also reflects his APWA background.
I am so excited and humbled to have this opportunity to give back to APWA, an association that has done so much for me professionally and personally,Keith said. Public works and the nation’s infrastructure are at the leading edge in legislation and funding right now.
As a profession, we have an unprecedented opportunity to impact the lives of our communities in a positive manner for decades to come. I am thankful for all the lifelong friends and colleagues who have taught me, guided me, and otherwise helped me along the way. What a blessing. I will serve with enthusiasm and respect.”
Keith is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He is a longtime Professional Engineer and Public Works Leadership Fellow.
Please join us as we congratulate Keith on his selection to this leadership position!