New Los Alamos County Public Works Director Juan Rael. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Juan Rael began working for Los Alamos County as an engineering project manager for the Public Works Department in 2018. Just four years later, he is managing the whole department as the Public Works Director.
“I feel humbled and honored to be chosen as the next Public Works Director for Los Alamos County,” Rael said. “It’s a great organization and Public Works is filled with so many dedicated employees that I am just honored to serve alongside them.”
“I am very excited about selecting Juan Rael for the Public Works Director position,” County Manager Steven Lynne said. “He is passionate about providing excellent customer service and that makes him a great fit for this job. His intelligence and his relationships within the County and throughout the State will enable him to be very effective. I am looking forward to working with him as part of our Senior Management Team.”
Rael takes over the position from Anne Laurent who was recently promoted to be Deputy County Manager.
Rael had been promoted previously, too. After being hired as an engineering project manager, Rael was selected to be Traffic and Streets Division Manager.
As the Public Works Director, Rael said he is looking forward to addressing the many projects underway in his department.
“…in the projects’ front, I think continuing momentum on a lot of existing projects such as the golf course improvement project, the WAC (Women’s Army Corps) building … and also what will be challenging is the Public Works has many staff retirements approaching and filling those vacancies is going to be a challenge,” he said.
Another job perk is his staff and coworkers, Rael said.
“I really enjoy the can-do attitude with all the crews and staff,” he said. “A lot of staff tries their hardest and really do care about the quality of work they do and the services they provide to the residents of Los Alamos County.”
He added he is eager to collaborate with other departments such as the Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
He explained Public Works and DPU often coordinate to together on projects so, for instance, while Public Works is working on streets, DPU can address any issues with utilities.
This allows for a bigger impact on maintaining infrastructure while minimizing impact to the public, Rael said.
There are challenges to be faced, too. Rael said COVID is still a major factor.
“I think right now (a challenge is) how can we still provide our essential services, including our refuse and recycle collection, our transit service, our building maintenance, our traffic maintenance under COVID protocols to reduce risk to both staff and the public … that’s been a big challenge,” he said.
Recruitment is another challenge.
“I think the whole job market is changing and we need to be able to recognize the changes to still be able to attract the best for both public works and the County,” Rael said.
However, he said he feels the County has the right team to be successful with all these challenges.
“Under the direction of County Manager Steve Lynne, a really great team has been assembled,” Rael said. “I really do feel he is building a great team and I’m just excited to be a part of that.”
Before coming to the County, Rael worked at the New Mexico Department of Transportation for five years.
He was a construction liaison engineer in charge of oversight of design and construction for the northern part of the state. Before that, Rael said he worked for eight years in the private engineering consulting industry in Albuquerque and Southern California.
He, his wife and family love living in Los Alamos, Rael said.
In fact, he said he and his wife are originally from Taos and had planned to retire there but after living in Los Alamos they think they just might stay put.
“We love everything it affords: the outdoors, the schools, the safety and the community aspect of it,” Rael said.
