OKEECHOBEE – Darren Brown was appointed to the position of Okeechobee County Public Works Director on Oct. 26, during the regular meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission.

Brown said he retired from the Kansas Department of Transportation at the age of 53. “After 5 years of retirement, I thought I still have a lot to give. I wanted to get back into the game,” he explained.  

According to the county staff report, in August, the county began advertising for the Public Works Director position due to the resignation of Justin Hoover. At that time, Darren Brown held the position of Assistant Road and Bridge Director within the Public Works Department. In September, Brown accepted the responsibility of filling the Public Works Director position in an Interim capacity. Since then, Brown submitted a letter of interest expressing his desire to interview for the Public Works Director position. After going through the interview process, Brown was selected as the top candidate for the Public Works Director, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Confirmation of Offer & Acceptance letter and confirmation of appointment by the Board of County Commissioners.

Before moving to Okeechobee County, Brown had 14 years of experience with the Kansas Department of Transportation as a superintendent. In his short time as the Assistant Road & Bridge Director he has demonstrated his extensive experience as well as his leadership capabilities within the Department. In a recent email to the commission chairman, a resident said, "The best job of mowing the ditches in Country Hills ever this week - 30+ years. Whoever decided on using the correct equipment, finally. Thanks."