DeKalb County hires consent decree, finance and watershed directors

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has created a new position to oversee adherance to an agreement intended to reduce the number of sewer spills in the county.

Maria Houser will serve as the director of consent decree and environmental compliance. She is both an attorney and civil engineer who practiced environmental and natural resources law at the Troutman Sanders firm, according to a county news release.

In announcing her hiring on Wednesday, Thurmond also revealed that two people serving in interim roles will get the jobs permanently.

Reggie Wells is the new Department of Watershed Management director. It is a department he has led ever since Scott Towler resigned abruptly last year.

Dianne McNabb, who was the interim head of the finance department, will become the permanent chief finance officer if the county commission confirms it.

“These appointments underline our commitment to repair and strengthen the county’s infrastructure while protecting our financial resources,” he said in a news release.

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