John Lyons started as the interim director of the Public Works Department in October 2010. Lyons served as the division director of the County's Geomatics Section (formerly Surveying) of the Real Estate Department since November 2003.  Prior to that position, he was a design engineer and transportation project manager in the Public Works Department.  He also worked previously in private industry as a construction manager, including for the Gunn Highway and Sheldon Road improvement projects.

Lyons holds certifications as a Florida Professional Engineer and as a Florida Professional Surveyor and Mapper.  He also has bachelor's degrees in civil engineering and land surveying from Purdue University and a graduate certificate in public management from the University of South Florida.