Mike Pemberton serves as Ironton’s superintendent of Street, Sanitation and Flood. However, his current role in the southern Ohio city only tells part of the story. From maintenance on the levees to navigating the bureaucratic maze of city government, his career has been defined by personal grit and a deep-seated love for the community.

Now, as the sun sets on his career, the public servant reflects on the challenges, accomplishments and enduring passion that have defined his journey of nearly 50 years.

Pemberton started with the city at age 18 in a humble role, though one that, in retrospect, was instrumental in his life’s path.

“I got out of high school and got a job cutting grass on the levee,” he said. “I moved my way up the ladder by doing maintenance on the project. I worked there for a couple of years and then fate led me to a different department. In 2023 I find myself still here,” he said.

Pemberton has witnessed many changes in his town and the nation at large that have impacted his work and the people he serves. For instance, winds of economic downturns blew in, echoing the Rust Belt narrative. The town faced challenges as industries closed and jobs died up, altering the fabric of Ironton’s existence.

That narrative applied to colleagues as well.

“I’ve seen a lot of good people come and go,” he said. “Unfortunately, some have passed away.”

Pemberton was influenced and inspired by those who served the city alongside him, and by some of those who served before his tenure. Mentors, particularly a former superintendent, shaped not only his career but also his approach to leadership.

“You can’t please everybody. Please the people that you can,” he said. “That’s always been my thinking.”

Raised in the Ohio countryside and influenced by a strong single mother, he reflected on the values instilled during his upbringing. He associates his mother’s parenting with hard work and sacrifice, qualities he has strived to replicate within the family he has raised in Ironton.

“We’ve raised two wonderful children,” he said. “When I first came here, we didn’t make a whole lot of money, but I climbed the ladder, and I think I’ve raised my children the best that they can be raised.”

Pemberton said he has experienced changes large and small during his time in city leadership. However, there’s one constant in the mighty Ohio River’s presence in the region: The body of water is prone to periodic surges that put the town at risk for flooding and consequently loss of life and property damage. It’s clear that Pemberton has played a key role in implementing and maintaining the infrastructure that safeguarded the town.

“When the almighty Ohio comes up, all we have to do is close some big gates and pump the water out. It’s pretty simple,” he said. “But they are big pumps, and they need maintenance.”

While managing three departments and handling the related daily responsibilities, he draws strength from a personal philosophy grounded in service. In other words, Pemberton has poured his blood, sweat and tears into his role – and he has been recognized for his service. In 2023, the city renamed a portion of a street Mike Pemberton Way in his honor.

Naturally, he’s invested in the future of Ironton. Ongoing projects, overseen by both the city and the Corps of Engineers, are being designed to protect the town against future floods. He said public works projects on the north end particularly showcase an ongoing commitment to the community’s well-being.

“We’re moving forward on building new pump stations, putting new curbs on one street and installing new catch basins and drainage,” he said.

While Pemberton is unclear how many years he’ll remain on the job, he’s not in a huge hurry to hang up his hat, either.

“There’s nothing wrong with 52 years, although I’ll probably retire with 50 or 51 years in. I’d like to maybe do more traveling. But I enjoy serving the public. That’s probably the bottom line. There are a lot of good people here in Ironton.”

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