KEENE, NH – Keene’s freshly retired Public Works Director has been named the 2024 Engineer of the Year.
The New Hampshire Public Works Association nominated Kurt Blomquist for the award ” based on his impressive contributions to the engineering and public works profession, his dedication to public welfare, and service to the community through numerous volunteer activities,” according to a release from the city.
Blomquist began his public works career in the City of Keene in 1993 as the Deputy Public Works Director before being promoted to Public Works Director a year later. In 2015 he also began serving as the city’s Emergency Management Director, and in 2021 as the Assistant City Manager.
Blomquist received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and began his engineering career with the United States Air Force, becoming a professional Engineer in 1989. He then obtained a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a focus in Construction Management from Georgia Institute of Technology. He maintained overlapping careers for 18 years, as the Public Works Director and a reserve officer in the US Air Force.
Public Works is the City of Keene’s largest department with nearly 70 personnel responsible for the maintenance, construction, and operation of transportation, water quality, and solid waste infrastructure, along with engineering, and fleet management professionals.
As the Emergency Management Director, Blomquist also led the response to numerous severe weather events, extreme flooding, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the response and recovery of six federally declared disasters between 2005 and 2013.
Blomquist had a particular interest in climate resiliency and often utilized his engineering skills to propel the city towards a “greener” community. The release says until the point of retirement, he continued to work to implement green technologies, including 2,100 solar panels at the DPW complex, and another 3,584-panel array at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The city describes Blomquist as someone who defined himself through leadership at the local, state, regional, and national level. His volunteerism locally extended to several nonprofit groups such as the Keene Lion’s Club, MoCo Arts, Monadnock Family Services, and the Monadnock United Way. He also is very active in the 4th grade science fair hosted at the water treatment facility.
Blomquist retired in December 2023 after 30 years of service to the City of Keene.
