Hot Springs City Manager David Watkins announced the selection of Randy Atkinson as the city’s new Sanitation Director, effective Monday, June 29.
Atkinson has more than 20 years’ experience in municipal government, serving most recently as the Public Works Director for the City of Siloam Springs. During his 11-year tenure there, he supervised a total of 52 employees in the Solid Waste, Street and Maintenance Departments as well as the Transportation and Infrastructure Crew.
At Siloam Springs, Atkinson oversaw the construction a $4.5 million dollar, state-of-the-art transfer station in 2004; public education for the city’s recycling program; and the city’s transition from semi-weekly manual trash collection to once-a-week automated trash collection, which will begin in October.
Prior to his work at Siloam Springs, Atkinson spent ten years as the Public Works Director for the City of El Dorado. He began his career as an inspector with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department in Little Rock.
Atkinson holds licensure in the following areas: Class IV Water Distribution; Master Solid Waste; Certified Floodplain Manager and Certified Stormwater Inspector.
Atkinson is known for his straightforward approach that balances a work-hard attitude with excellent customer service. “I’m excited about the new challenge of serving the residents of Hot Springs as Sanitation Director,” said Atkinson. “As the industry continues to make great strides in environmental responsibility, I look forward to implementing these advances in the program. My goal is to be able to provide top-notch customer service with an efficient and responsible Sanitation Department.”
A native of El Dorado, Atkinson has a mother who resides there. He and Vicky, his wife of 32 years, have three grandchildren.