InTucker Magazine
May 2023
Team Tucker Spotlight – Ishri Sankar & Jeff Mueller
Ishri Shankar
Public Works Director
What do you do as a public works director/ public works deputy director?
Serving as the Public Works Director means being involved in every aspect of the Public Works Department. To name a few, this includes management of right of way maintenance, developing and implementing practical and legal policies, meeting the requirements of local, state, and federal environmental agencies, communicating between contractors, City management/staff, and the public, and ensuring that work on the City right of way is successful and beneficial to serve the demands of our stakeholders.
What was your last job?
Previously, I served as the Capital Projects Manager at the City of Dunwoody.
What made you want to serve in this position?
I liked the idea of starting a department. With previous knowledge in the Private and Public sectors, my unique understanding of the various aspects of design and maintenance made me interested in the position. I also saw this opportunity as a way to learn and develop in the municipal environment.
What are your goals with this job?
Upgrading Tucker while maintaining its charm. I believe Tucker holds a unique character that reminds us all of comfort. As redevelopment moves in, I’d like to ensure Tucker has policies in place to maintain this character. As we repair and maintain infrastructure throughout the City, I’d like to bring the level of service up a notch so citizens can develop trust in us and understand the reasoning behind our decisions.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I enjoy many aspects of the job including, but not limited to: learning new skills, multitasking, interaction with citizens and business owners, appreciating success, improving efficiency, and resolving complicated issues.
Off The Wall
Where were you born?
Guyana, South America
Favorite sports team?
Atlanta Braves/Atlanta Falcons
Favorite cartoon growing up?
Looney Tunes
What do you do during your free time?
Jam to loud Music
What is your favorite pizza topping?
Cheese
Jeff Mueller
Public Works Deputy Director
What do you do as a public works director/public works deputy director?
I’m back up to the director on day to day operations of roads and drainage infrastructure in the city. Also, my emphasis will be on the drainage side of the roads and drainage management, to include the MS4 program and minor stormwater system repair and maintenance.
What was your last job?
I worked for a consulting firm where I served as the City Engineer for the cities of Dunwoody and Chamblee and as the Interim Public Works Director at the City of Stone Mountain.
What made you want to serve in this position?
The opportunity to be in a start up situation. A start up provides the framework for innovation and reinvention, which was attractive to me professionally.
What are your goals with this job?
To create a protocol for identifying necessary maintenance in the roads and drainage infrastructure so that we can maximize the amount of repair and maintenance that we can accomplish with the budget we have.
What is your favorite part about your job?
To see projects developed and delivered into on the ground construction.
Off The Wall
Where were you born?
Davenport, Iowa
Favorite sports team?
Georgia Tech athletics
Favorite cartoon growing up?
Dick Tracy
What do you do during your free time?
Since our kids have made clear they don’t want it, we sell all our stuff on Ebay
What is your favorite pizza topping?
Pepperoni