Rudy Koester has been named director of public works/city engineer in Waukee, effective Oct. 1. He will take the place of John Gibson, the city’s longtime public works director who will retire at the end of September, according to a release. Until that time, Gibson will assist in the transition. Koester went to work for the city in January 2017 as assistant public works director-engineering. He was with the city of Ames for six years prior to that. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University. “John Gibson has done a remarkable job in helping guide Waukee through the last 20 years of growth, and he will be missed,” Waukee City Administrator Tim Moerman said in a statement. “With that said, Rudy has proven himself as a strong leader in his current position, and I am confident that he will be successful in his new role.”