Randy Murphy is Benicia’s new interim public works director. (Courtesy photo)

Randy Murphy, a journeyman public servant, looks to settle his roots down in Benicia.
He was recently hired as the interim public works director, succeeding Graham Wadsworth who is now an engineering supervisor for Napa County. Murphy began working for the city two weeks ago, and working in Benicia is a homecoming of sorts for him. He was born in San Francisco and grew up in San Jose. After high school, Murphy believed he would work in the construction business. Life would have different plans for him, he said.
Murphy would work in construction and eventually rose to a manager position at PetCo. During a business trip in for national pet supply chain, Morgan decided he wanted to transition into a career with more job security than corporate America could provide. He would go to school and get his degree in business management and later his master’s degree as well.
Upon completing his schooling, Murphy would begin looking for work in the public sector. Through his contacts, Murphy heard a management position had opened up in Tuolumne County, and he applied for and subsequently received it.
“Once I started that, I realized that was what I was kind of meant to do,” Murphy said. “I’d done a lot of different things. I was in construction. I was in electronics, manufacturing in San Jose. I never really felt like ‘Yeah, this was what I was meant to do’’until I started working in Tuolumne County public works. I found my calling.”
Murphy has moved all across California and parts of Oregon, working in various management positions for local government as it was needed. His last job was an interim position in Windsor. Murphy counts increasing the revenue and efficiency of the cities he has worked in as some of his accomplishments.
“People perpetuate through life and especially in their workplace,” Murphy said. “They do not question why. ‘Why do we do this?’ I try to encourage that thinking and find ways to be more efficient.”
Through his agency, Morgan heard Benicia City Manager Lorie Tinfow was looking for a new public works director. Morgan applied for the position, and it became his.
“I’ve liked what I have seen of Benicia so far,” Murphy said. “I always knew it was here but did not know what it was. Now that I have been here, I really enjoy it. It’s got nice views of the Carquinez Strait and it’s close to San Francisco, where I was born. (I’m a) huge Giants fan, so it’s nice to be close.”
The new interim public works director says that he looks forward to exploring and getting to know the people of Benicia.
“I want people to know that I embrace the idea of being a public servant,” Murphy said. “I am here to answer questions. I will never lie to you. Sometimes there might be things I can not discuss for confidential reasons, but I will tell you I am a straight shooter. I am here to serve the public, and I want to do my job well.”

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