Mayor Scott Swears-In Khalil Zaied as Director of the Department of Public Works

BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, October 9, 2024) - Today, during a ceremony in City Hall, Mayor Brandon M. Scott swore in Khalil Zaied as the 17th Director of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW).

"Director Zaied is a tested public servant with a proven track record as a transformational municipal leader," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "He is a leader with more than 25 years of engineering and public works management experience, much of it right here in Baltimore. I know that he will be dedicated to ensuring that the Department of Public Works is equipped to deliver essential services to Baltimore residents and will take this department into a new era with his leadership."

"The path ahead undoubtedly is not an easy one, and the work required of all of us demands more than ever. I am fully dedicated to seeing us through," said Director Khalil Zaied. "I pledge to work to ensure that all DPW employees have a voice and that their concerns are heard and addressed. The insights and experiences of our frontline workers are vital to our mission of serving the Baltimore area."

The priorities the Director plans to tackle in this new role include:

• Improving infrastructure: Address infrastructure improvements at DPW facilities to ensure they are well-equipped to deliver essential services to Baltimore residents.
• Cultural Transformation: Change the culture throughout the agency, fostering a more efficient and effective work environment.
• Enhancing essential services: Ensuring that the Department of Public Works delivers improved essential services to Baltimore residents, including high-quality drinking water to the Baltimore region.
• Waste reduction efforts: Maximize waste reduction efforts, contributing to cleaner neighborhoods and a healthier environment.
• Safeguarding waterways: The region's drinking water and waterways must be safeguarded, emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and conservation.

Since joining DPW as Acting Director in March, Zaied has spearheaded water billing upgrades for Baltimore City residents and aims to improve the culture and implement facility upgrades throughout the agency. The Baltimore City Council unanimously voted to confirm Zaied as Public Works Director on June 10, 2024.

Zaied has extensive senior-level management experience in the public and private sector and holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland.

Before taking the helm at DPW, Zaied managed the Department of Public Works in Champaign, Ill. In addition, he was a nearly 20-year veteran of the Baltimore City Government, serving as Deputy Mayor of Operations and Director of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, among other roles. Zaied spent five years in the private sector as Vice President for Special Projects with Sparks, Md.-based KCI Technologies, one of the world's leading engineering firms. He has also served as the Deputy City Manager for Public Works and Transportation for El Paso, Texas.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Zaied also welcomed Matthew Garbark to the agency who is returning to DPW as Interim Deputy Director. Garbark most recently served as Director of the Mayor's Office of Infrastructure Development (MOID) and previously worked in DPW as Deputy Director.

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