John Mannle, director of the Plumas County Public Works Department, is retiring after four decades of public service as a civil engineer.
The Plumas County Board of Supervisors honored Mannle April 16, presenting him with a Bulova clock engraved with his years of service. The entire board and those attending the meeting stood in an ovation of appreciation to Mannle.
“John has been an incredibly dedicated, capable, bright and thoughtful representative of our county,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Hagwood.
So much of the work Mannle has done is essential to county operation but does not get recognition, he said. “The job is multifaceted and John has performed superbly at all of it.”
Mannle began a career in civil engineering in 1980 after his first year at Santa Rosa Community College. After his graduation from California State University, Chico, with a bachelor of science in civil engineering, he went on to work as a private consultant. Mannle also worked for a federal agency and for Humboldt County before hiring on with Plumas County’s public works department.
He started as assistant director of public works in 1997, a job that lasted 24 years. Mannle was appointed director of Plumas County’s public works department in 2021. His responsibilities have included maintaining 680 miles of roadways, 90 bridges, over 500 drainage structures and more than 5,000 road signs.
After a nearly 44-year career spent entirely in rural northern California, Mannle said a highlight has been working with great people to solve the never-ending challenges presented by transportation infrastructure. More than mountain roads and inclement weather, he has been tested by the constant changes in rules, regulations and standards in California, he said.
As county department head, Mannle has worked to attract, house and maintain an adequate work force in a rural community. He cited a lack of civil engineers statewide, both in private industry and in government.
“So many have retired recently or are retiring soon,” Mannle said.
In his own retirement, he plans to make up for lost time with family and friends.