DeKalb CEO Thurmond makes three high-level appointments

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced today that he has made three high-level appointments to address the county’s consent decree regarding the sewer system, improving its watershed system and the county’s finances.

“These appointments underline our commitment to repair and strengthen the county’s infrastructure while protecting our financial resources,” said Thurmond.

Maria Houser has been appointed the county’s first director of consent decree and environmental compliance. Houser, both an attorney and a civil engineer, has more than 12 years of experience as a compliance expert in the utility sector and has practiced law at Troutman Sanders in the Environmental and Natural Resources group for more than seven years.

Houser holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law, as well as a master’s degree from State University of West Georgia and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Reginald Wells, previously responsible for Watershed Operations, has been appointed director of watershed management. Wells has worked for DeKalb for three years and has more than 18 years of civil engineer experience.

Wells earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from Georgia Southern University and has led the effort to resolve problems associated with DeKalb’s aging watershed infrastructure.

Dianne McNabb, a certified public accountant, who has led DeKalb’s finance department on an interim basis since September 2016, has been appointed the county’s chief financial officer.

McNabb played a key role in stabilizing the county’s finances by leading the effort to clear previous audit findings, resulting in DeKalb achieving an improved financial position and receiving a positive fiscal outlook rating. McNabb’s appointment is effective upon confirmation by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.