by Cheryel Carpenter
October 06, 2000

After a 25-year commitment to providing outstanding customer service to the Building community and the citizens of Arlington, Pat Potter is announcing his retirement plans. The Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services says future career plans include public education and instruction. His last day with the City will be Jan. 19.

Planning and Development Services Director Theresa O’Donnell said Potter’s departure will be a great loss for the City. She said the department plans to move quickly to fill the position to ensure continued operational efficiency.

Potter began his career with the City of Arlington in 1973 as a mail clerk while completing his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1975, he was asked by then Community Development Director Charles Clawson to consider a move to his department. Potter worked in the Building Inspections Division as a building inspector, plans examiner and assistant building official before becoming the assistant director in 1985.

Potter has been instrumental in guiding initiatives that have served to improve the quality of life for Arlington residents. Some of his accomplishments include the smoking ordinance and regulations that enhance the aesthetic environment of the city through landscape and sign ordinances. In April 2000, Potter was elected state president of the 300-member Building Officials Association of Texas

Today, Building Inspections conducts more than 65,000 commercial and residential inspections annually and issues an estimated 2,000 building permits a year with a permit value of $566 million.

"The Building Inspections Division that I am leaving is a highly developed staff of professionals dedicated to meeting the needs of our community," Potter said. "I am proud to have been part of a quarter century of Arlington’s progress."