Venice, FL
Home MenuNews List
City names new Utilities Director
Following a nationwide search, Rob Langenauer has been selected as the City's next Utilities Director. Javier Vargas, who has served as Utilities Director for 9 years, will retire in July.
Langenauer was born and raised in Cromwell, Conn. He graduated from Westfield State University in Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree. He held a Connecticut Department of Public Health Class 3 Water Distribution License for 30 years until he moved to Nokomis in 2025.
He served as Superintendent of Water for the City of Waterbury, Conn., for almost 5 years starting in 2020, with utilities there averaging 18 million gallons of drinking water a day for a population of 120,000. Prior to that, he worked 30 years for the Metropolitan District Commission in Hartford, which averaged 50 million gallons per day. MDC, a regional water/sewer and stormwater utility, served the metro Hartford region with a population close to 450,000.
"I had the unique experience of managing operations for over 6 years, and then 6 years prior to that managing customer service billing, a 24/7 command center and utility service engineering," Langenauer said. "At MDC we averaged 200 main breaks per year, with one year producing 315 during a cold winter, plus daily sewer backups and repairs especially after heavy rains. So there aren’t too many things I haven’t seen or done in the water/wastewater/stormwater field. I enjoy the teamwork it takes to fix, repair and resolve problems, plus I love cultivating a winning team that our customers can count on during difficult times."
For the past year, Langenauer has worked for Ardurra Group, a major engineering and consulting firm based in Miami, as a Senior Customer Field Representative. Ardurra specializes in water and wastewater engineering, transportation, aviation, public works and disaster management.
In his new role as Venice Utilities Director, Langenauer said he wants to provide outstanding customer service in all facets of the City's operation. "I want the residents to have full confidence that when they call or there’s an emergency, our staff will respond professionally and courteously while providing clear communication throughout to the customer."
Rob and his wife of 34 years, Yolanda, have two adult daughters. He is set to start with the City on July 6.
"Rob Langenauer has the experience and leadership traits that Venice Utilities employees deserve and need to succeed," said Assistant City Manager Roger Omenhiser. "Under Rob’s guidance, the residents of Venice will undoubtedly benefit from the continuation of the great customer service culture that our outgoing director, Javier Vargas, worked so hard to maintain. We welcome Rob and his family to the City of Venice team.”
Langenauer was born and raised in Cromwell, Conn. He graduated from Westfield State University in Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree. He held a Connecticut Department of Public Health Class 3 Water Distribution License for 30 years until he moved to Nokomis in 2025.
He served as Superintendent of Water for the City of Waterbury, Conn., for almost 5 years starting in 2020, with utilities there averaging 18 million gallons of drinking water a day for a population of 120,000. Prior to that, he worked 30 years for the Metropolitan District Commission in Hartford, which averaged 50 million gallons per day. MDC, a regional water/sewer and stormwater utility, served the metro Hartford region with a population close to 450,000.
"I had the unique experience of managing operations for over 6 years, and then 6 years prior to that managing customer service billing, a 24/7 command center and utility service engineering," Langenauer said. "At MDC we averaged 200 main breaks per year, with one year producing 315 during a cold winter, plus daily sewer backups and repairs especially after heavy rains. So there aren’t too many things I haven’t seen or done in the water/wastewater/stormwater field. I enjoy the teamwork it takes to fix, repair and resolve problems, plus I love cultivating a winning team that our customers can count on during difficult times."
For the past year, Langenauer has worked for Ardurra Group, a major engineering and consulting firm based in Miami, as a Senior Customer Field Representative. Ardurra specializes in water and wastewater engineering, transportation, aviation, public works and disaster management.
In his new role as Venice Utilities Director, Langenauer said he wants to provide outstanding customer service in all facets of the City's operation. "I want the residents to have full confidence that when they call or there’s an emergency, our staff will respond professionally and courteously while providing clear communication throughout to the customer."
Rob and his wife of 34 years, Yolanda, have two adult daughters. He is set to start with the City on July 6.
"Rob Langenauer has the experience and leadership traits that Venice Utilities employees deserve and need to succeed," said Assistant City Manager Roger Omenhiser. "Under Rob’s guidance, the residents of Venice will undoubtedly benefit from the continuation of the great customer service culture that our outgoing director, Javier Vargas, worked so hard to maintain. We welcome Rob and his family to the City of Venice team.”