Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway appointed Rachel Darken as the city of Madison’s new Fleet Service Superintendent within the Public Works Department.
Darken has served as interim assistant superintendent for the past 18 months and was selected after a nationwide hiring process.
“I have been particularly impressed by Rachel’s steady and thoughtful leadership during her time at Fleet,” Rhodes-Conway said in a statement. “She has taken a pragmatic approach to right sizing our fleet while meeting operational needs and prioritizing reducing our climate pollution footprint. The Fleet Division supports nearly every city agency. Rachel has already proven herself to be a tremendous collaborator while also implementing citywide goals.”
Darken has served in several key roles in the Fleet Division since 2019. She previously was the economic development director for Common Wealth Development.
She is carrying on efforts to electrify the city’s fleet and is spearheading exploration of renewable diesel for heavy-duty vehicles.
Additionally, Darken created and is growing the Fleet Tech apprenticeship program. The initiative is providing job opportunities for people from non-traditional backgrounds and helping the city grow its talent pool.
Charlie Romines — currently the team lead for Public Works and the Street Superintendent — has been appointed to the position of public works director. This move is part of an ongoing effort to create operational efficiencies within the city’s five Public Works divisions.
Romines will oversee the Engineering Division, Fleet Service Division, Parks Division, Streets & Urban Forestry Division and the Water Utility.
The creation of a public works director formally cements much of the role Romines has been performing as team lead for the past four years. He has worked for the city since 2011 and was formerly assistant parks superintendent.
Both appointments are expected to be introduced to the City Council on April 21.
