Barry A. Withers was appointed as the Director of Public Utilities on January 12, 2010 by Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson. Withers served as Interim Director of Public Utilities since September, 2007.

As Director, Withers currently oversees approximately 1,700 employees who serve the Department of Public Utilities, which is comprised of the Division of Fiscal Control, the Cleveland Division of Water, Water Pollution Control, Cleveland Public Power and the Office of Radio Communications.

An experienced municipal administrator, Withers has served the City of Cleveland under three Mayors - former Mayors George Voinovich and Michael R. White and current Mayor Frank G. Jackson. Mayor Jackson appointed Withers to the position of Special Assistant to the Mayor for Employee Services in 2006.  Withers has also served as Director of Personnel, Assistant Director of Public Safety, and as an Executive Assistant and Senior Advisor in the Mayor’s Office. 

Director Withers holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Florida Atlantic University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College – City University of New York. He has also completed the program for Senior Executives at the Harvard - John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Also active in the community, Withers serves an advisory board member for Fatima Community Service Center.