Venice names new Public Works Director

The City of Venice has selected Charlie Mopps as its new Director of Public Works and Asset Management.

Charlie comes to Venice from the Town of Longboat Key, where he served as Projects Manager for 2 ½ years. Retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Military Police from the U.S. Army, Charlie has also held the posts of Coastal Projects Manager for Charlotte County, Senior Projects Manager for Atkins Engineering, and a Police Officer for the City of North Port.

Originally from New England, Charlie and his family have lived in the area for the past 20 years.

“I love the history and small-town feel of Venice,” Charlie said. “My son Gabe graduated from Venice High School, my daughter Elizabeth is a sophomore on the volleyball, weightlifting and track teams (Go Indians!) and my wife Kara has been an English teacher at Venice High for most of her working life. We love this community.”

“I have been a civil servant for most of my life and enjoy serving the public,” he continued. “During my time in the private sector, I did not experience the occupational fulfillment that I had come to know in the public sector, so I quickly returned to it.”

In his role as Venice Public Works Director, Charlie said his hope is to “bring all my senior leadership skills and years of experience serving great communities to this great opportunity.”

Charlie starts with the City on Jan. 18. He replaces former Public Works Director James Clinch, who was promoted to Assistant City Manager in October 2021.

“We are so excited to bring on board Charlie Mopps as our new Director of Public Works. This position has an extremely challenging set of duties, between Parks, Maintenance, Solid Waste, Fleet and Historical Resources,” James said. “Not only does Charlie bring a wealth of public and private sector knowledge, he is already invested in the Venice community on many levels.”