An experienced city of Glendale leader who has successfully negotiated with other governmental agencies to secure critical funding for transportation needs is moving to a new role.

The city announced Thursday that Ryan Lee will represent Glendale as the new director of transportation.

Lee most recently served as Glendale’s director of government relations. He will manage all facets of the city’s transportation department, which includes Glendale’s airport and transit services, as well as its pavement management program.

He also will direct the activities and staff involved in traffic signals, road signs and street striping. He will also oversee transportation strategic planning, traffic engineering and city school education programs.

Additionally, Lee will help steer the city in developing recommendations regarding Glendale’s Transportation and Airport master plans, as well as the department’s capital improvement plan.

“Ryan Lee is a proven leader in Glendale and has worked alongside our transportation staff in every area of transit and transportation,” Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps stated in a press release. “He understands the vital connection between transportation and successful economic development strategies.”

Purab Adabala was the interim director of the transportation department and Adabala has now returned to his role as deputy director of that department.

Lee has been involved in Glendale transportation strategies for more than a decade in city, county, state and federal government settings. His knowledge and skills paved the way for Glendale to receive an infusion of $151 million into the city’s transportation department, as part of the Glendale’s share of arterial funding within the Proposition 479 Regional Transportation Sales Tax.

“I am excited to join an incredible group of transportation leaders who are widely recognized as top experts in their fields,” Lee said. “The Glendale City Council has made transportation infrastructure and the safety of our residents a top priority, and I am committed to making sure that the transportation department accomplishes that.”

Lee earned a master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northern Arizona University.