Former Baseball: Public works director to retire – Tom Carroll served LCG for 22 years

Claire Taylor, Daily Advertiser, Feb. 26, 2014

Athletic Network Footnote: Tom Carroll was a USL baseball player during the 1971-74 seasons and currently serves as President of the Ragin’ Cajuns Lettermens Club. Click here for the 1973 photo of Tom and his baseball teammates. Click here for a photo of the 1972 team.

Tom Carroll, public works director for Lafayette Consolidated Government, announced his retirement Monday.

Carroll told The Daily Advertiser he will retire at the end of May after more than 22 years with LCG and the city of Lafayette before the city and parish governments were consolidated.

A graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), Carroll said he spent three years working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and around 15 years in private practice before joining the staff of the city of Lafayette.

He was appointed director of public works about 10 years ago, when Joey Durel became city-parish president.

In 2013, some of the responsibilities of Traffic and Transportation Director Tony Tramel were given to Carroll when Tramel retired.

Late last year, Durel appointed former journalist and attorney Kevin Blanchard to a new position — chief development officer.

All other directors in LCG except the chief administrative officer suddenly became answerable to Blanchard.

Work is also nearing completion on a comprehensive plan for the city and parish, which is expected to have a significant impact on the public works department.

Carroll said those changes are not the reason he’s retiring.

“It just gets to a point in your career and your life,” he said. “It’s just the right time for me. I’ve enjoyed my time. I’ve been blessed with an excellent staff.”