Farmington Hills' Longest-Serving Employee To Retire This Month

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — The longest-serving employee for the City of Farmington Hills is retiring at the end of this month after 48 years.

Jim Cubera started his career as the city's civil engineer in 1977 when there were still cornfields and gravel roads in Farmington Hills.

"When I started in 1977 there were still cornfields, many of the roads were gravel and much of the property was vacant fields," Cubera said. "When I think of my career, I remember my first road design, Hills Tech Drive between Haggerty and Halstead Roads. I was really proud of converting that road to concrete pavement and except for some slab replacements that road pavement still exists today!"

Cubera began working for Farmington Hills a few days before he graduated from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree.

Now, as he prepares to retire at the end of August, the city is highlighting his career.

Over the years, he helped transition the city from rural farmland to a modern municipality, improving the quality of life for residents and visitors, city officials said.

Cubera was also instrumental in converting gravel roads to pavement and designing complex sewer systems. His work also helped shape critical infrastructure projects, including the Twelve Mile Road boulevard, the Halsted Road drainage solution and the Drake Road paving project, city officials said.

In doing so, he established himself as a pillar in the Department of Public Services Engineering Division, became a licensed Professional Engineer, completed a Master of Business Administration, and earned several awards in recognition of his commitment to excellence in civil engineering and public service.

Farmington Hills also received numerous industry awards for infrastructure improvement projects, in which Cubera was instrumental.

"Most people in the city have likely never heard Jim’s name but they have definitely benefitted from his exceptional work over the past 48 years designing sidewalks, sewer systems, roads and more," said Farmington Hills City Manager Gary Mekjian. "We will miss Jim when he retires, but his legacy of excellence in public service will continue."