Thanks Frank

By Mark Forsythe The Kansas City Post 41 years is a long time to do anything. 41 years in service to the city of Kansas City is an amazing accomplishment. Frank Pogge has put in a lot of hours (and after hours) of community meetings, dealing with upset citizens over flooded basements, and generally serving behind the scenes in the not-so-glamorous world of water services. He will be missed and I certainly wish him a long and peaceful retirement. News from City Hall City Communications Office City of Kansas City, Mo. www.kcmo.org CONTACT: Mary Charles, City Communications Officer, (816) 513-1356 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 7, 2007 Water Services director to retire After a 41-year career with the City of Kansas City, Mo., Water Services Department, Director Frank Pogge will retire Dec. 31, City Manager Wayne A. Cauthen announced today. "Frank has served the Water Services Department well, having started as Laboratory Services director in September 1966 and advancing to director in March 2003," Cauthen said. Pogge held numerous positions within the department including: assistant chief and chief of the Water Supply Division, Water Treatment Plant manager, assistant department director and deputy department director. Throughout his tenure, Pogge oversaw major improvements such as reorganization of the department; the relocation and consolidation of engineering and administration offices to the 63rd Street location; implementation of capital improvement projects funded by voter approved bonds, including small main replacements, construction of a second trans-Missouri river tunnel, upgrades to the water distribution system, and improvements to the water treatment plant and wastewater treatment facilities. Pogge also directed implementation of a new billing system and the current installation of a state-of-the-art automatic meter reading system to better service Kansas City water and wastewater customers. Pogge also has served the industry on a state and national level as officer and board member of numerous organizations such as the American Water Works Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Corrosion Engineers and Missouri One Call Systems. Several of these agencies have awarded Pogge's service with state and national awards. "Frank's leadership and historical knowledge will be missed, but we wish him well in his new endeavors," Cauthen said.