Roy Hesemann Named City of Cedar Rapids Utilities Director

Cedar Rapids City Manager, Jeff Pomeranz has selected Roy Hesemann to serve as City of Cedar Rapids Utilities Director. The City began a national search for a new Utilities Director after the recent retirement of Steve Hershner.

Hesemann has been with the City of Cedar Rapids for more than 21 years, and boasts a career spanning over 35 years of engineering, management and education work in the water and wastewater treatment sectors. He has served as the Water Pollution Control Plant Manager, Water Utility Plant Manager, and Project Engineer with the City of Cedar Rapids, and most recently as Interim Water Utility Plant Manager for the Utilities Department.

“Roy demonstrates strong leadership and management abilities, a comprehensive understanding of the evolving needs of our Utilities Department, dedication to innovation and sustainability, and commitment to our employees and organizational health program,” said Pomeranz. “He excelled throughout an exhaustive national recruiting search, and I am pleased to be able to appoint a long-time City employee to this important position.”

In his time with the City of Cedar Rapids, Hesemann has overseen several capital improvement projects, including construction of various drinking water collector wells; J Avenue and Northwest Water Plant UV disinfection; 5-in-1 Dam renovations, WPC incinerator repairs; WPC flood recovery and drinking water well field recovery following the 2008 flood; and the recent odorous air removal project at WPC.

Hesemann also serves as an adjunct instructor at Des Moines Area Community College where he provides Continuing Education and instruction for Water and Wastewater Operators for the Water Environment Technology Program.

“Whether you live, work, or play in Cedar Rapids, the City’s Utilities Department touches your experience,” said Hesemann. “From providing some of Iowa’s best-tasting water to drink; to treating residential and industrial wastewater; to providing garbage, recycling and yard waste collection — the Cedar Rapids Utilities Department plays an essential role in meeting the community’s daily needs. I am looking forward to leading the department as we continue to meet and exceed regulatory obligations while providing dependable services to our customers.”

Hesemann grew up in Missouri, but has lived most of this professional life in the Cedar Rapids area. He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Missouri-Columbia. He is active in several watershed organizations across Iowa and Nationally.