A weekly list of People on the Move.

Leadership Appointments: July 3-9, 2025

July 10, 2025

California – Aracely Azevedo has been appointed as the assistant city manager of Santa Clara. Aracely brings over 21 years of leadership experience to the role and most recently served as the city’s director of Human Resources for the past five years.

Utah – Andres Colman has been named COO of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). Colman brings 24 years of experience with the agency to the role and began his career with UTA as a bus operator. 

California – Soon-Sik Lee has been appointed as chief of planning and engineering for the California High Speed Rail Authority. Lee brings over 20 years of experience in rail and infrastructure to the role and previously served as the vice president and senior program manager at the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Management corporation (AECOM).

South Carolina – Wesley Ropp has been appointed as CEO of Charleston Water Systems (CWS). Ropp began his career with the utility in 1982 as an accountant and steps into the role following the retirement of longtime CWS leader Mark Cline. 

Connecticut – Andraé Townsel has been appointed as superintendent of the Hartford Public School District. Townsel currently serves as superintendent at Calvert County Public Schools and steps into the role following the departure of Leslie Torres-Rodriguez.

Nevada – Rob Stephens has been appointed deputy CEO of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. Stephens brings over 10 years of experience in transportation to the and most recently served as COO for the Transit Authority of River City. 

New Jersey – Sandra Marques has been selected as the new assistant superintendent of the east and central school leadership team at Newark Public Schools. Marques brings over 25 years of experience with Newark Public Schools to the role and most recently served as director of Career and Technical Education.

Colorado – Kimberly Bullen has been appointed as the new deputy city manager of Grand Junction. Bullen brings over 25 years of experience in public sector leadership to the role and most recently served as the Public Works director for the city of Fruita. 

North Carolina – Caitlin Spruill has been appointed assistant superintendent of Dare County Schools. Spruill previously served as the director of elementary education and steps into the new role following the retirement of Steve Blackstock. 

Florida – Antranette Forbes has been appointed as the new economic development director for the city of Apopka, effective Aug. 4. Forbes brings 20 years of experience in economic and business development to the role and steps into the position following the departure of Michele Boylan. 

Tennessee – Will Reid has been appointed as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, effective July 10. Reid currently serves as the chief engineer and deputy commissioner and steps into the role following the departure of Butch Eley. 

New Mexico – Anne Kinsinger has been appointed the new director of University of New Mexico’s Accelerating Resilience Innovations in Drylands Institute. Kinsinger brings over 30 years of experience to the role and most recently served as the associate director for the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey. 

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Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a nationally focused business development, government affairs consulting, and procurement consulting firm. Since 1995, the SPI team has offered a more comprehensive suite of services than any other firm in the country. SPI’s capabilities include expertise in the areas of Public-Private Partnerships and the State, Local, and Education (SLED) market.

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