Mayor Ginther Names Kelly Scocco Director of Public Service

Published on May 06, 2024

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today announced Kelly Scocco will serve as the Director of the Department of Public Service, effective immediately. Scocco has served as the Interim Director since January.

As Director, Scocco will carry on the City of Columbus’ leadership in transformative local and regional mobility initiatives, including LinkUS – Central Ohio’s plan to expand mobility options for all residents while increasing sidewalks, bikeways and trails to address growth, affordability and opportunity gaps. The department also continues to advance Vision Zero Columbus, a dedicated effort to eliminate serious crashes on city streets and make them safe for all modes of transportation.

“Kelly is the right leader at the right time to shape the trajectory of transit and mobility for decades to come,” said Mayor Ginther. “She understands that the only way we move forward is by strengthening connectivity and opportunity, and providing safe, reliable and affordable transportation options – now and in the future. LinkUS is a key component of this work, and it’s at a critical juncture. I am confident Kelly will see this initiative through and deliver the best possible results for our residents.”

Scocco brings to the position more than two decades of planning and program management experience in both the public and private sectors. Prior to her most recent role as Interim Director, Scocco served as Deputy Director of Public Service, overseeing transportation planning, design, construction and maintenance operations. Before that, she was the Assistant Director for the city’s Department of Building and Zoning Services, guiding private development projects through Columbus’ building and zoning processes.

Before joining the City of Columbus, she was a Transportation and Planning Manager with CHA Consulting, Inc., a Deputy Director of Transportation System Development with the Ohio Department of Transportation, and a Land Use and Transportation Planner for two consulting firms.

“I am honored to continue serving the people of Columbus and deploying innovative solutions that promote safety, prosperity and first-class core city services for our residents,” said Scocco. “Now is the time for bold ideas and banding together to get things done. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to accelerating our momentum.”