Long-time city of Glendale employee Purab Adabala has extensive experience in transportation planning, capital programming and community knowledge.

He will be Glendale's new transportation director, the city announced Thursday. The city promoted Ryan Lee to the role in May, but he had to step down.

In his new role, Adabala will manage all facets of the city’s transportation department, including the Glendale Regional Airport, transit services and the pavement management program.

Adabala has been with the city for 18 years, first joining the department as a transportation planner in 2007. He served as a senior transportation analyst before being selected as the transportation planning administrator and eventually being promoted to deputy director of transportation in 2022.

“Purab Adabala brings a level of engineering expertise and community knowledge that makes him uniquely qualified to lead the city’s transportation department,” stated Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps in a press release. “His demonstrated leadership through one of the city’s largest capital improvement plan implementations confirms his ability to take on this critically important role.”

Transportation infrastructure projects, including transportation and airport master plans, will be a top priority for Adabala. He will also continue to lead the staff involved in traffic signals, roadway signs, pavement markings and the traffic education programs.

“I’m excited to lead the Glendale Transportation team into a new chapter,” said Adabala. “The city has an excellent transportation team. I’m committed to fostering that collaborative environment where everyone is empowered to contribute their best work.”

Adabala earned a master’s degree in urban planning from University of Kansas and a holds bachelor’s degree in architecture from Andhra University.