WHO WE ARE

The Lewes Board of Public Works was authorized by an act of the General Assembly on March 15, 1901 to establish, control and regulate an electric light plant, water works, and a sewer system for the City of Lewes. The General Manager of the Board of Public Works is appointed by the Board’s elected officials to administer all of the administrative affairs of the Board.

Board of Public Works


Austin
Austin Bennett Calaman General Manager Lewes BPW

Austin Calaman is the General Manager of the Lewes Board of Public Works (BPW). He manages all facets of the Lewes BPW including the electric, water, wastewater and stormwater systems, as well as all interfaces with local, state and federal officials. He was selected for…Read more

Robin Davis Photo
Robin Davis Assistant General Manager Lewes BPW

Robin Davis is the Assistant General Manager of the Lewes Board of Public Works (BPW). He assists in managing all four departments of the Lewes BPW.  Mr. Davis was hired for the position in January 2021 and previously was employed with the City of Lewes…Read more

Board of Public Works Officials


Tom Panetta
Tom Panetta President Lewes BPW Board

Tom Panetta was elected to the Board of Public Works (BPW) in April 2018. Tom also serves as BPW representative to the City of Lewes Mitigation Planning Team and as the Division Chair for Electric. In addition to his position on the BPW, he has…Read more

Earl Webb
Earl Webb, III Vice President Lewes BPW Board

Earl Webb III was appointed to the Board of Public Works (BPW) in August 2020. Earl Webb III was born and raised in Delaware.  His family roots trace back six generations in the First State.  During Earl’s 38 years in corporate life, he held positions…Read more

D. Preston Lee, P.E. Secretary Lewes BPW Board

Pres Lee was elected to the Board of Public Works (BPW) in May of 2011. He has served in several Board positions, including Board President from May 23, 2018, until May 25, 2022, when he stepped down and was elected to the position of Board…Read more

Richard Nichols
Richard Nichols Treasurer Lewes BPW Board

Richard Nichols was elected to the Board in May 2021. Richard and his wife were both born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. After high school, he went to Columbia University and earned a masters degree in Architecture and a masters degree in Architectural Technology. Not…Read more

Barbara Curtis Assistant Treasurer Lewes BPW Board

Barbara was elected to the BPW in 2023. She has been a resident of Lewes since 2010, moving here with her husband Roger Heffernan after selling their vacation house in Prime Hook. Barbara grew up in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. She returned…Read more

Ex-Officio Members


Andrew Williams
Andrew Williams Mayor Ex-Officio

Andrew Williams was born and raised in Lewes where his family roots are several generations deep. He and his wife Rita have 2 sons Keenan and Bodhi.  An alumnus of Dickinson College and Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Andrew is a Director at GlobalData PLC…Read more

Michael J. Hoffman Attorney Lewes BPW

A native Delawarean, Mike Hoffman is a Partner with Connolly Gallagher, LLP in Newark practicing in a variety of areas, including administrative and government law; land use and real estate; and general litigation. Having represented both municipalities and developers on a wide range of issues,…Read more