Innovative leader commits to the community’s vision for a vibrant multimodal system
Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde today announced that she has hired Blythe Bailey as the city’s new Transportation & Mobility (T&M) director. He will start on Sept. 15.
Bailey currently serves as the director of Design and Connectivity for the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Parks and Outdoors. In this role, he oversees the comprehensive planning and design for the city’s parks and greenways. Prior to this, he helped found and then led Chattanooga’s first-ever Department of Transportation. Trained as an architect and urban designer, Bailey has built his career around ensuring that public spaces are not only functional, but also safe, beautiful, accessible and sustainable.
Bailey earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and a Bachelor of Arts degree in math and history from Vanderbilt University.
While the city is currently under a hiring freeze, this position is critical to supporting public safety while also advancing Boulder’s vision for a vibrant multimodal system. As such, the city manager decided to proceed with filling the leadership vacancy.
“I am so excited that Blythe has agreed to join us,” Rivera-Vandermyde said. “Not only does he bring incredible experience and expertise, but he also demonstrates passion and joy that are, frankly, contagious. I’m confident he will serve this talented department and our community well as we continue to advance City Council’s transportation priorities while also meeting Boulder’s core mobility needs.”
Bailey has shared that he is inspired by Boulder’s commitments to racial equity, climate resilience and multimodal access and is eager to help the organization lift each of these values in the transportation and connectivity contexts.
“Safe streets and paths that are comfortable and welcoming for all are a defining feature of great cities,” Bailey said. “I’m thrilled to join Boulder’s talented team in advancing a transportation system that connects people and enriches daily life.”
In making this announcement, Rivera-Vandermyde also expressed gratitude for Valerie Watson, who has served as interim transportation director for nearly a year after Natalie Stiffler left the city to join the private sector. Watson is eager to return to her role as deputy director and will serve alongside Bailey in overseeing and supporting the city’s T&M team.
“Valerie has been an excellent steward of all our T&M work this past year, and I am so appreciative of her leadership. We are truly fortunate to have two talented, driven and collaborative individuals leading this important work in Boulder,” Rivera-Vandermyde said.