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The City of Alexandria has selected Leah Riley as the next director of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, city officials announced Friday. Riley is set to begin on March 30.
The hire marks the third permanent or interim leadership transition at T&ES in roughly three years. The department, which oversees transportation infrastructure, stormwater systems, sewer maintenance, solid waste, mobility initiatives, and environmental programs for more than 300 employees and approximately $200 million in combined operating and capital budgets, has not had stable permanent leadership since longtime director Yon Lambert left the role in January 2023.
Lambert, who was named T&ES director in April 2015 after serving as acting director since August 2014, was elevated to deputy city manager following the retirement of a colleague in that office. Tarrence Moorer, then the department's assistant director of internal services, stepped in as interim director while the city conducted a national search.
That search produced Adriana Castañeda, who was appointed director in September 2023 after a recruitment process that drew more than 60 applicants from across the country. Castañeda, who came to Alexandria from the City of Tracy, California, led T&ES for roughly 18 months before departing for a promotion — deputy city manager of DeSoto, Texas. Michael Moon, a recent Arlington County retiree, was subsequently named interim director, a role he has held until now.
Riley brings 20 years of senior leadership experience in urban transportation and infrastructure to the position. She most recently served as director of downtown innovation in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in Washington, D.C., overseeing citywide public space improvements, sustainable mobility, and economic revitalization efforts. Prior to that, she served as director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation and as managing deputy commissioner at the Chicago Department of Transportation, with experience overseeing sewer systems, stormwater management and infrastructure maintenance — areas central to T&ES's mission.
City Manager James Parajon cited her breadth of experience across major urban systems as the driving factor in her selection.
"Her background in sustainable mobility, public infrastructure, and cross-agency collaboration will support Alexandria's efforts to maintain reliable infrastructure, improve street safety, and advance environmental stewardship for Alexandria," Parajon said.
Riley did not respond to a request for comment by publication time. The city's announcement did not include a statement from her.
More information about the department is available at alexandriava.gov/TES.
