Buffalo Grove Names Temporary Public Works Director

When Buffalo Grove's public works director steps down next month, another experienced employee will be ready to step in. 

Civil Engineer Mike Skibbe has been appointed interim public works director by Village Manager Dane Bragg, the village announced Friday.

“Mike has championed technological innovation and leading edge work processes within Public Works,” Bragg said.

The village has started a national search for a permanent public works director, who will replace Greg Boysen. Boysen, who has been employed by the village for 35 years, announced this month that he has accepted a position in Wisconsin. His last day is April 2.

Skibbe has worked for the village since he was hired in 1998 as a part-time engineering aide while he was still a student at Buffalo Grove High School.

He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in management from Valparaiso University, and he was hired full-time by Buffalo Grove when he graduated from college in 2004. Two years later, he was promoted to civil engineer.

Over the years, Skibbe has participated in leadership, engineering and public works operations training through University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Engineering & Professional Development, International City/County Management Association,, American Public Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Illinois Section of American Water Works Association, of which he serves on the Backflow Committee.

Skibbe was recently named secretary of the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Planning Council. He is pursuing a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University.