City Manager Tim Kirby announced the appointment of Aaron L. Bert as the City’s new Director of Public Works, effective July 20.
“Aaron brings a rare combination of technical depth, diverse capital program and operational management experience, and a people-first leadership philosophy that aligns perfectly with Sunnyvale’s culture,” said Kirby. “He will be an outstanding member of our Executive Team, and a key partner with our City Council and the community we serve.”
Bert brings more than 30 years of experience in public sector leadership, capital program delivery, and organizational management. Bert currently serves as Director of Public Works for the City of Redmond, Washington, where he oversees water utility operations, stormwater and wastewater conveyance, transportation, fleet management, and civil engineering. He previously served in various management roles for the City of Seattle. Prior to that, he held several legislative aide positions with Washington State counties and the Washington State Legislature.
“Sunnyvale’s reputation for fiscal discipline, collaborative governance, and a commitment to exceptional service resonates deeply with my professional values,” said Bert. “I believe the most effective public works organizations are those where employees understand the mission, are trusted to contribute, and are held accountable for results. I am excited to join the Sunnyvale team, to listen and learn, and to help deliver on the City’s ambitious infrastructure agenda in a way that builds lasting trust with this community.”
Bert also retired in 2025 as a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve after 32 years of distinguished service. Bert holds a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Western Washington University. His starting salary with Sunnyvale will be $360,000.
The department of Public Works oversees the following aspects of the City of Sunnyvale:
- Transportation and traffic planning
- Residential and Downtown parking permits
- Pavement and concrete operations and maintenance
- Street light and street sign operations
- Parks, trees and open space management
- Real estate and property management
- Capital Improvement Program, engineering services
- Golf course and tennis center operations
- City facilities services