Avedisian Names Assistant Principal Planner Rick Crenca as DPW Director

Assistant Principal Planner Rick Crenca explains the Apponaug Circulator Project in September 2015.

Editor’s note: The following is a release from Mayor Scott Avedisian’s office:

WARWICK, RI – Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that he has appointed Richard Crenca, the city’s current assistant principal planner, as the new director of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Crenca will transition to his new role on July 24.

“I am so pleased that Rick has agreed to take on this new role,” Avedisian said. “He brings many years of hands-on experience to the position, and has demonstrated a tireless commitment to the citizens of Warwick. During my tenure as mayor, I have come to respect Rick as both a dedicated municipal employee, as well as a hardworking individual who continually strives to put the long-term interests of the community at the forefront. I have no doubt that Rick will rise to the challenges he will face with integrity and professionalism.”

The announcement comes on the heels of the impending retirement of the current DPW director, David Picozzi. Picozzi, who has been at the helm of the department since 2003, is set to retire at the end of July. “David has lead one of the busiest city departments for 14 years. During that time, he has handled every challenge with unmatched dignity and leadership. I applaud his tenacity and while it is always bittersweet when a dedicated civil servant retires, I congratulate him on a job well done and offer him my heartfelt best wishes for all his future endeavors,” said Avedisian.

Crenca was first hired by the city in 1977 as a senior planner in the Planning Department. He remained in that position until 1986 when he was appointed as the director of the city’s Building Inspection and Minimum Housing Department. In 1991, Crenca transitioned to a new role as the director of the Department of Public Works in the Town of North Kingstown, a position he held for five years. In 1998, he was named the deputy director of Planning and Development in the City of Woonsocket. Crenca made his way back to the City of Warwick in 2001 when he took on the role of assistant principal planner. His dedication to the communities in which he has served will undoubtedly be the cornerstone of leadership as the new DPW director.

A Warwick resident, Crenca was born, raised and educated in the city. He attended St. Kevin School and Warwick Veterans High School. From there he went on to graduate from Rhode

Island College, earning a degree in Liberal Arts and Economics. Crenca was a former member of the Rhode Island Building Officials Association, the New England Building Officials Association, BOCA International, Chairman of the Mayor’s Recreational Advisory Committee in the City of Warwick, T.F. Green Airport Expansion Advisory Committee and past president of the Rhode Island Public Works Association.