An Indian-American engineer Karun Sreerama has been named to head Houston's Department of Public Works and Engineering by the city's Mayor Sylvester Turner. Sreerama, 53 years old, a consistent local political donor, would replace the retiring director Dale Rudick as chief of PWE Department in Houston.

If confirmed by the council, the Hyderabad native would start work from April 3rd and would also become the Houston's first Asian department director.

Sreerama is a highly respected engineer with 28 years of experience managing multi-million dollar capital projects all across the US and abroad. He is a registered professional engineer and also holds a doctorate in civil engineering as well as a Master's degree in the business administration.

Sreerama said that the organisation for decades viewed as rigid and allergic to feedback, must improve its outreach and also develop a "servant" mentality.

Sreerama also said that, "we can be more inclusive of the people who are actually going to use Public Works products and treat them as customers, treat them as the people that we work for."

National Racer Ashwin Sundar dies in tragic car crash

Sreerama said he plans to meet with all the Public Works staff about his vision for the department as part of a broader, communications-driven plan for his first 100 days.

"Karun has developed an impressive 100-day transition plan," Mayor Turner said, adding that he will be able to build upon the excellent progress made during the Dale Rudick's tenure.

Sreerama holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Osmania University and also a master's in earthquake engineering for the University of Roorkee. He received another master's degree in engineering from the Cambridge University.

After moving to US, Sreerama also earned his PhD in civil engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, followed by an MBA from University of Texas at the Austin.

Sreerama comes to the city from ESPA Corporation where he served as the president and CEO.

Mrudula Duddempudi.