Following a search process that lasted a little more than a month, Village Manager Riccardo Ginex last week announced the hiring of Daniel Kaup as Brookfield’s new superintendent of public works.
Kaup, 33, comes to Brookfield from the village of Northbrook, where for the past five years he’s served as the assistant to the village manager. He started with Northbrook in 2002 as a seasonal employee in their public works department, and later was hired full time, working in both the water and streets departments.
In his time in the village manager’s office in Northbrook, Kaup was tasked with serving as the project manager on a renovation of the village hall, helped author a 5-year capital improvement plan and was involved in negotiating vendor and labor contracts.
In June, he graduated from DePaul University with a Master’s of Public Administration degree.
“He’s got a different kind of skill level that will really transition the department and move it forward,” said Ginex. “He’s a real energetic guy and he’s done all the jobs.”
Ginex said Kaup was the top candidate out of 24 who applied and six who were interviewed by village management.
Kaup said he’s eager to return to his roots in public works, and said the Brookfield position will allow him to combine the skills he learned as a public works laborer and as a member of management.
“My first love is public works,” Kaup said. “When I saw the position, I thought it would be a good marriage for the skill sets I’ve been honing for the last two years.”
One goal Ginex said he has for Kaup is to create a long-range capital improvement plan, something the village does not have.
“We’re going to do this,” said Ginex
Kaup replaces Al Kitzer, who died in March after serving as superintendent of public works since 2007. He was a 36-year employee of the department.
Kaup will begin his new job on Aug. 6. His annual salary will be $87,000, said Ginex.
