Former Buffalo water, sewer chief takes Houston engineer job

Former Buffalo Sewer Authority CEO and General Manager Oluwole ‘O.J.’ McFoy, who also served as chair of the Buffalo Water Board and left both posts in January, has taken a new position as city engineer with Houston Public Works (HPW).

Houston Mayor John Whitmire recently introduced McFoy as a key member of the Houston Public Works leadership team. McFoy will report to HPW Director Randy Macchi and will oversee all engineering decisions within the city.

“Houston Public Works conducted a nationwide search for an engineer who would bring about monumental change while aligning with the Mayor’s vision. O.J. accepted that challenge and we’re excited to get to work,” said Macchi.

McFoy has 20 years of experience in executive leadership, program management and infrastructure design experience. In, New York, where he served in dual roles as chief of the Buaalo Water Board and CEO and GM of the Buffalo Sewer Authority since 2015. He also served as Buffalo Sewer Authority’s chief engineer, negotiating a $400 million plan to eliminate combined sewer overflows.

McFoy is active in industry associations and serves on the board of directors at the US Water Alliance and previously served on the board of directors at the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

Along with his industry recognition and efforts to improve the city’s water infrastructure, McFoy’s tenure in Buffalo also involved some controversies, according to reporting by the Buffalo NBC news affiliate. These included a recent scandal in which the city’s water supply was found to have lacked fluoride for a period of nine years and the city failed to appropriately disclose the change to the public (Buffalo began using fluoride in its water again in September 2024). There were also concerns about McFoy’s extensive taxpayer-funded travel, other questionable expenditures, and accusations of lack of transparency from Buffalo city council.

“I’m excited to join the Houston Public Works leadership team to help shape the department’s future,” said McFoy. “This position will play a crucial role in improving Houston’s infrastructure and ensuring the city is resilient for generations to come. I know we have a lot of work to do, and I look forward to collaborating with the community and executing Mayor Whitmire’s vision.”