The University of Houston has named Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock Public Official of the Year.

The UH Master of Public Administration Program announced the honor during a recent luncheon at the Student South Center on the University of Houston campus. Haddock was one of five honorees recognized.

The MPA Program recognizes local changemakers who “exemplify strength in ethical decision making; a commitment to the welfare of citizenry by reaching beyond personal, professional and political motives; and an innate ability to encourage and maintain supportive relationships across jurisdictional boundaries.”

“As the director of the largest American Public Works Association accredited agency in the nation, Carol has led almost 4,000 employees to provide full services to the community during last February’s winter storm while implementing new safety protocols throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. "Carol is very much deserving of this award.”

Haddock has been with the City of Houston for almost 17 years. Turner promoted her to HPW director in 2017. She has led the organization through a cultural transformation by providing resilience training for all employees.

Haddock is a licensed professional engineer in Texas with a civil engineering bachelor’s degree from Rice University and an MPA from the University of Houston.