Two department leaders were given an appreciative sendoff into retirement Tuesday at the Covington City Commission meeting.
The commission unanimously approved the official retirements of Police Chief Rob Nader and Public Works Director Chris Warneford.
The city commission named Lt. Col. Brian Valenti the interim police chief; Keith Bales will serve as the new Public Works Director.
Covington Mayor Joe Meyer praised both Nader and Warneford for “understanding the city.”
Warneford and Nader are both natives of Covington, with Warneford graduating from Holmes and Nader from Holy Cross.
Chris Warneford
Warneford’s last day in City Hall is Sept. 8, and his retirement becomes official on Sept. 22.
“Chris is Mr. Covington,” City Manager Ken Smith said. “His knowledge of our city, its history and its residents are invaluable to me, our other departments and especially Public Works.”
Warneford has spent the majority of his career in public service, and most recently served as Covington’s Public Works director for the past three years. Warneford took the job on an interim basis when the department’s previous director retired.
“We have a great city. I’ve lived here for most of my life,” Warneford said. “I can only say that it’s only getting better.”
Warneford led the Public Works Department’s transition into a new headquarters, located on Russell Street.
“We have one of the best Public Works departments out there, I think, after working at three different divisions,” Warneford said. “I want to thank them for making my job so easy.”
Rob Nader
Rob Nader addressed the Commission one last time as chief at Tuesday’s meeting. Nader’s last day is Sept. 1.
“The reputation of the Covington Police Department has never been higher,” Meyer said. “The quality of service that we provide to the people of Covington has been excellent.”
Nader has served as police chief for the past five years, leading the department through the COVID-19 pandemic. Nader started on the department in 1997.
“I continue to be impressed at how much you care about this city and how much you have dedicated to it, it’s growth and the community. You have very large shoes to fill,” Commissioner Tim Downing said.
In June 2015, Nader was promoted to assistant police chief, and in September 2017 was promoted to chief.
“I thank you for the opportunity to serve the City of Covington, for giving me the means to grow as a person, raise a family, and obtain a higher education,” Nader said.
He previously served as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, patrol bureau commander, community relations officer, bike patrol, SWAT negotiator, SWAT commander, criminal investigations sergeant, patrol lieutenant, and administrative captain.
“Keep practicing your golf,” Meyer joked.
