In May 2002, Tim Sexton was preparing to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and an International Business Certificate. Unsure of his next steps, a chance encounter with the School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA) admissions director led him to pursue a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, setting the course for his future. Tim’s career illustrates the impact an SPPA education can have, preparing graduates to lead, innovate, and make a lasting difference in their communities.
Studying planning ignited Tim’s lifelong passion for the built environment’s influence on both people and the planet. While completing his MS with a dual emphasis on economic development and environmental planning, followed by an MPH in Environmental Health, he embraced the program's collaborative, hands-on approach. Alongside his peers, he helped launch a student led land use planning firm, co-designed a graduate seminar titled Topics in Sustainability, and developed sustainable design principles for a new Iowa state park.
Reflecting on his time in Iowa City, Tim points to an unexpected lesson that continues to shape his work today: the power of storytelling. As a student, he didn’t think it was a serious topic. “I’ve since realized how wrong I was. Storytelling is one of the most important skills we have as planners. It is how we move people to action.”
After graduating and a stint in Germany working on "green" roof initiatives, Tim moved to Seattle, where he focused on environmental policy with the Washington State Department of Transportation. In 2014, he relocated to Minnesota with his wife, two children, and 120-pound dog, and advanced through several leadership roles at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), including serving as the agency’s first Chief Sustainability Officer and later as Assistant Commissioner for Sustainability, Planning, and Programming.
In 2024, Tim was nominated by the mayor and unanimously confirmed by the City Council as Public Works Director for the City of Minneapolis. In this role, he leads a team of more than 1,300 professionals responsible for maintaining the city’s essential infrastructure, including drinking water and wastewater systems, transportation networks, and the municipal fleet.
Tim’s influence extends beyond local government. He has contributed to the field at national and international levels through leadership and board roles with organizations such as the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Conservation Minnesota, the Green Cities Accord, and the World Road Association (PIARC).
From an unexpected opportunity in Jessup Hall to leading one of the nation’s most complex public works systems, Tim’s career reflects the value of an urban planning education, equipping graduates with the skills, vision, and leadership to shape communities and improve lives.