NEW BEDFORD — Mark Champagne, an experienced manager of facilities and construction projects, has been named the Director of Facilities and Fleet Management for the City of New Bedford. Outgoing director Kenneth F. Blanchard retired on June 30 after leading the department for the past five years, his most recent post in a career of more than three decades of service to the City.

Mr. Champagne has been employed with the City since 2014, and has served as Superintendent of Facilities, Construction and Maintenance for the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management since 2015. In that role, he assisted the director in daily oversight of the department, oversaw major construction projects on City facilities, and worked to build the department’s annual operating budget. He also served as Capital Project Manager and Clerk of the Works, assisting the department’s director in overseeing the City’s capital needs assessment and managing construction projects including Fire Station 8, the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum, City Hall façade restoration, and the City’s office building complex at 181 Hillman Street.

Before joining the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management, Mr. Champagne was President of Allied Property Solutions, Inc., a firm offering general contracting, construction management and real estate services. He has managed commercial construction projects including hotels, convention centers and retail stores in Massachusetts, Florida, New York and Vermont over the course of his career.

“Mark Champagne has been an integral member of the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management’s leadership team, and this will be a smooth transition as an experienced internal candidate takes the reins of this important City department,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “Mark has an extensive breadth of knowledge on facilities management and capital improvement projects that will serve New Bedford well in his new role.”

The Mayor also extended his best wishes to Mr. Blanchard on his retirement.

“Ken Blanchard has served New Bedford for more than 30 years with passion, commitment, and determination. No matter the size or scope of any given project, Ken approached his job with thoughtfulness and a collaborative spirit to problem-solving,” said Mayor Mitchell. “I wish him well as he begins his much deserved retirement.”

The Director of Facilities and Fleet Management leads one of the City’s core operating departments, overseeing the capital needs of more than 90 City buildings and the City’s vehicle fleet. The department is also responsible for managing the collection and disposal of solid waste, recyclables and yard waste, and the daily operations of the City’s transfer station, among other responsibilities. Mr. Champagne’s appointment by the Mayor was confirmed by the City Council on July 19.

-City of New Bedford

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