Genoa town manager hired as new Douglas County public works director

Philip Ritger has been selected as the Public Works Director effective October 8, 2018. Philip has served as the Genoa Town Manager for the past five years and brings a wealth of management and leadership experience to Douglas County.

As the Genoa Town Manager, Philip was responsible for the financial health of the town. He managed all public works, facility maintenance, professional contracts and related activities necessary to provide the residents with a high level of service in a fiscally responsible manner.

Prior to becoming the Genoa Town Manager, Philip spent the majority of his career working for entrepreneurial companies in both technical and business management positions. Philip also was responsible for mentoring colleagues and developing programs and lean business initiatives focused on providing customers with a commitment to quality and service.

Philip received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Lawrence University and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University. He holds eleven patents in the medical device field and has nine journal publications. Philip received certification as a Lean-Six Sigma Black Belt from the University of California, San Diego. He developed and conducted training programs for Lean business practices that encouraged grass roots, bottom-up quality and service improvement initiatives.

“Philip Ritger has been an outstanding asset to our organization providing excellent leadership, guidance and stability,” said Larry Werner, County Manager. “We are excited to see Phil use his extensive background in this new role leading the Douglas County Public Works Department.”

The Douglas County Public Works Director is responsible for planning, organizing and directing all phases of a major public works function which includes, as a minimum, administration, utility systems, roads, facilities, and fleet services.