Lori Koontz confirmed as Road and Bridge director

Posted On: November 16, 2021

When Ben Bartlett was promoted in July to public works director, it left a hole to fill in Bartlett’s previous position as head of the Road and Bridge Division. Lori Koontz has been filling in since then as interim road and bridge director. And not just filling in, but doing terrific work in bringing her more than 28 years of public works experience to the job – so much so, that she has earned the position on a permanent basis.

On Tuesday, the Volusia County Council confirmed County Manager George Recktenwald’s selection of Koontz as Volusia County’s next road and bridge director.

“Lori has impeccable professional qualifications,” Recktenwald told the council in presenting Koontz for confirmation. “She’s done a terrific job for the county already and is eminently qualified for the position of road and bridge director.”

Koontz worked for the Lake County Board of County Commissioners from 1992-2019, leaving there in August 2019 as road operations division director to accept a position with Volusia County. In total, she worked for Lake County public works for more than 26 years in multiple positions, gaining valuable experience in capital project planning, emergency response operations and budgeting. She started in the Volusia County Road and Bridge Division as deputy director, overseeing bridge maintenance operations as well as the county’s stormwater capital projects. In her role with Volusia County, Koontz has been instrumental in securing and managing $4.2 million in water quality related grant funding for stormwater projects throughout the county. She also has experience in solid waste division oversight and mosquito and aquatic plant management.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity and proud to be a member of the road and bridge division,” Koontz said moments after she was unanimously confirmed by the council. “They are a group of hard-working and dedicated employees who work to solve problems and make a difference for the citizens of Volusia and the traveling public.”

After the confirmation, County Chair Jeff Brower noted how important roads and bridges are to the public.

“You have a big job ahead,” Brower told Koontz. “It’s an important job to the community, and we just welcome you and thank you in advance for your service. Congratulations.”

Koontz has a bachelor of arts degree in organizational management from Warner Southern College.