City officials have promoted two employees — Dave Herndon and Josh Durham — in the Hopkinsville Public Works Department.
Herndon was recently named assistant director, a newly created position, according to a press release. He had been the city’s street superintendent for seven years, and prior to that worked for Community and Development Services for 15 years. At CDS he was manager of planning.
Budget Officer Gary Ruebush told Hoptown Chronicle that Herndon’s salary as assistant director is $90,074.
“I am very excited to have Dave as the first … assistant director,” Public Works Director Mike Perry said in the release. He said Herndon exceeded his expectations while serving as street superintendent.
Herndon was “instrumental in the Intergovernmental Support Agreements between Hopkinsville and Fort Campbell, among other integral accomplishments and projects,” the release states.
Herndon earned two degrees from Murray State University, including a Master of Public Administration. Herndon and his wife, Angela, have two sons, Miles and John Michael. He said he enjoys camping with his family.
Durham has been named street superintendent, filling the vacancy created by Herndon’s promotion. He started working for the city in 2004 — and has been in the service department for the last 17 years.
Durham’s salary as street superintendent is $94,456. Although Herndon is ranked higher in the department, Durham’s salary is slightly higher because he has several more years of employment with the city. Employees earn “step” raises for longevity.
“Josh has worked his way up through the ranks over the last 19 years with the city and has demonstrated a will to improve processes and step out of the box to take on additional tasks that were not his responsibility,” said Perry.
Durham graduated from Christian County High School and has Automotive Service Excellence and Emergency Vehicle Technician certificates. He also has a Class B commercial driver’s license and has credentials through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. He previously worked at Hopkinsville Milling Co.
Durham has three daughters, Chloe, Katie and Isla, with his wife, Emily. He is a classic car enthusiast.