Hawai'i County Mayor Billy Kenoi named former Hawaiian Electric Light Co. president Warren H.W. Lee as director of public works.

Lee, 61, was named president of HELCO in 1991 and retired earlier this year after 36 years with the company. He worked as project engineer for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and is a retired lieutenant colonel with the Army Reserve.

A registered professional engineer, Lee graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in 1970 with a degree in civil engineering. He received a master's degree in business from Chaminade University in 1991.

The Public Works Department is responsible for public and private building construction and inspections; construction, inspection and maintenance of public streets, highways, bridges and drainage facilities; design, operation and maintenance of traffic signals and traffic control devices; engineering matters and all other public works projects.