Geneva hires West Dundee public works director

Geneva has hired a new public works director to replace the one who quit in May.

Rich Babica comes to the city after almost a decade as West Dundee's public works director, according to a news release from the city.

He will oversee 54 workers in the streets, engineering, electric and water divisions.

Babica began his career as a maintenance employee in 1992 in Bolingbrook. He has a master's degree from DePaul University.

Before West Dundee he was operations superintendent for South Elgin.

The city's former public works director Dan Dinges, left after 15 years to head public works in Bartlett.

City officials also promoted Hal Wright from electric operations manager to electric division superintendent.

Wright has been interim leader of the division since former superintendent Mike Buffington died in a car accident in June.

Wright has worked for Geneva for 27 years.