Meet the Director
Jennifer Gallagher is Director
of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service, leading a team of 800
employees and managing operating and capital budgets totaling $279 million.
Prior to being named
Director, Jennifer served as Deputy Director and orchestrated the restructuring
of Department divisions to improve customer service, project efficiencies and
employee morale. She implemented changes to consultant procurement that led to
expedited contract completion, better use of technology and processes to track
a variety of goals. She has enjoyed working in the transportation field for
over 20 years since starting her career as a Traffic Engineer for the Franklin
County Engineer’s Office. She also held various roles at the Ohio Department of
Transportation.
Under Jennifer’s
leadership, the City won the U.S. Department of Transportation’s $40 million Smart
City Challenge in June 2016 to become the first U.S. city to fully integrate innovative
technologies into its transportation network.
Jennifer
is a leader in the City’s efforts to enhance mobility options on key corridors
to address major population growth, attract and retain business growth, promote
sustainability and ensure quality of life for Columbus residents. She has
spearheaded Vision Zero Columbus to fundamentally change how the City looks at
the transportation system — making protecting human lives its highest priority.
In 2019 Columbus was
admitted as a member of the National Association of City Transportation
Officials (NACTO). Membership allows the Department to exchange transportation
ideas to build safe, sustainable, accessible and equitable transportation
choices that support a strong economy and vibrant quality of life.
Jennifer serves on the Executive
Committee and Transportation Policy Committee for the Mid-Ohio Regional
Planning Commission (MORPC). She is also a member of the Central Ohio Transit Authority
(COTA) Board of Trustees.
Jennifer was honored as the
WTS Columbus Chapter 2017 Woman of the Year for her extraordinary leadership
and support of women in transportation. Under her leadership, the Department
was named WTS Columbus Chapter 2017 Employer of the Year, and has won numerous
awards for its division’s excellence.
Jennifer is a licensed
engineer in Ohio and is a graduate of The Ohio State University with bachelor’s
and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering.