Nav Otal has been appointed director of the Utilities Department, effective immediately.

Otal has served as interim director since the retirement of Denny Vidmar earlier this year.

“We’re fortunate to have someone with Nav’s talent and skill set ready to step into the position,” said City Manager Steve Sarkozy. “Her appointment provides a smooth transition for one of the city’s most public-facing departments.”

With 189 employees at City Hall and the Bellevue Service Center, utilities is responsible for critical city functions such as drinking water, recycling and garbage, wastewater, environmental stewardship, stormwater and street maintenance.

Otal brings a wealth of experience to her new job, having worked in three departments during her 18 years at the city. Her positions have included management intern in the City Manager’s Office, senior budget and rates analyst in the Utilities Department, and assistant budget manager in the Finance Department. She returned to utilities as assistant director for six years, then deputy director for six more.

Otal graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry; she earned a master’s degree in business administration from City University, also in British Columbia.