By 1808Delaware
The City of Westerville has made a calculated move to reinforce the foundation of its public services, naming Ed Krieger as Deputy City Manager for Infrastructure and Public Utilities.
At a time when communities are balancing growth with the demands of aging systems, the position carries unusual weight. It is not simply about oversight. It is about coordination, foresight, and execution across the systems residents rely on every day.
Aligning Systems for a Growing Community
Krieger’s responsibilities will center on bringing cohesion to Westerville’s infrastructure portfolio. He will lead utility and service departments while aligning major capital projects with long-term planning goals. Infrastructure decisions made today shape service reliability for decades, and the City is placing a premium on ensuring those decisions are deliberate and connected.
At the same time, expectations remain grounded in day-to-day performance. Residents and businesses expect dependable service, reasonable costs, and responsiveness when issues arise. Krieger’s role is to ensure those expectations are consistently met while preparing the system for what comes next.
A Career Built in Public Power
Krieger arrives with 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry, a career that spans both investor-owned and municipal systems. His most recent role was with Columbus Water & Power, where he served as Assistant Administrator and led operational improvements within the Division of Power. Before that, he spent more than a quarter century with the City of Piqua, including 26 years in its municipal power system.
In Piqua, his tenure was defined by projects that combined infrastructure investment with long-term strategic thinking. He led the development of a dedicated Electric Operations Center and oversaw the implementation of a citywide fiber-optic network, both of which strengthened system resilience and service capability.
Those efforts were not just local successes. They drew recognition for operational and financial performance from both the American Public Power Association and American Municipal Power, placing Piqua among the more highly regarded municipal systems in the region.
Leadership Beyond the Local Level
Krieger’s influence extends into the broader public power community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Public Power Association, representing municipal utilities across four states. In that role, he contributes to policy direction and advocacy on behalf of publicly owned systems.
He also chairs key committees within American Municipal Power focused on mutual aid and line worker training. Those efforts, often out of public view, are essential when emergencies occur and crews must respond quickly and safely.
Together, these roles reflect a career that has combined local execution with regional and national leadership.
Education and Approach
Krieger holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dayton. The combination has shaped a management style that blends technical understanding with organizational discipline. It is an approach that fits the demands of modern utility systems, where engineering decisions and financial strategy are closely intertwined.
A Fit for Westerville’s Model
City Manager Monica Dupee pointed to Krieger’s blend of experience and leadership as a strong match for Westerville’s municipally owned utilities. That model depends on more than infrastructure alone. It relies on accountability, responsiveness, and the ability to adapt quickly to local needs. Krieger’s background suggests a familiarity with those expectations, as well as the operational rigor required to meet them.
Looking Ahead
Krieger will begin his role on April 27.
His work will largely take place behind the scenes, in planning documents, project timelines, and operational systems. Yet the results will be visible in the consistency of service, the pace of response, and the City’s ability to keep pace with change.
