Nathan Dietrich, the assistant director of community development in Baytown, will fill the community development director position. Dietrich has more than 20 years of experience in urban and traffic planning, land use, and zoning, City Manager David Esquivel said.
“The thing I really liked about Nathan is not just his personality, but his ability to connect with people,” Esquivel said.
Esquivel said Dietrich will start in mid-October. Dietrich will take over the position previously held by Craig Meyers, who worked with the city for eight years and left in July, Community Impact Newspaper previously reported.
Denton Economic Development Director Jessica Rogers will take over as assistant city manager in mid-October as well, Esquivel said. Police Chief Jeff Bert has been serving as the interim assistant city manager. Bert took over the role previously held by Esquivel after Esquivel became interim city manager following the death of former city manager Rob Hauck, Community Impact Newspaper previously reported.
Esquivel was appointed city manager in July.
Esquivel said the city chose Rogers because she gained a lot of experience in different areas working in the city of Denton. He said Rogers was also an overwhelming favorite from a community panel that judged whether potential candidates would fit in with the culture of the city.
“What stood out is that she did move around within the city of Denton, so she’s held a lot of positions,” Esquivel said. “It was absolutely strategic and a planned move to get her that experience.”
Joe Sykora, who has been serving as interim fire chief, will take the reins as the full-time fire chief of Tomball. The previous fire chief, Randy Parr, announced his retirement in March after spending 17 years with the city, Community Impact Newspaper previously reported.
Esquivel said Sykora has built a reputation for himself within the fire department.
“Joe is very exciting for the fire department,” Esquivel said. “He knows our culture and knows our direction and where we want to go.”
With Sykora being named fire chief, the city will look to fill the positions of fire marshal and assistant fire chief, positions previously held by Sykora, Esquivel said.
