County commission appoints Wayne Dyess as new county administrator

New personnel director, EMA director also appointed

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At its March 6 meeting, the Baldwin County Commission appointed three new department heads, including new county administrator Wayne Dyess.

Dyess had been serving as the City of Fairhope’s planning director since 2017. Prior to that, Dyess was director of Planning and Development Services for Walton County, Florida, from 2011 to 2017 and was Baldwin County’s planning director from 2000 until 2010.

“I’m excited to get started,” Dyess said. “County government takes a lot to make things run smoothly. I’m dedicated to helping the commission achieve their goals for the county - I’m here to help you and serve you.”

Dyess’ salary has been set at $125,000.

Dyess replaces outgoing County Administrator Ron Cink, who had served in the role since 2014. Cink will return to his role as budget director for the county and will take on additional roles as assistant county administrator.

The county also appointed Deidra Hanak as the county’s new personnel director.

Hanak became interim director in Nov. 2018. She served as Assistant Personnel Director from 2012 until Nov. 2018.

Hanak’s new salary will be $90,000 per year.

“I’m blessed to have worked here for 12 years,” Hanak said. “I’m very excited about leading our department into the future and doing big things for the county.”

The commission also appointed Jacksonville resident Zachary Hood as the county’s Emergency Management Agency director.

Hood has worked as a course manager for FEMA contractor Leidos since 2018. He has also served as a logistics management officer for the Department of Health and Human Services since 2014.

Hood’s new salary will also be $90,000 per year.

“I’m looking forward to being an addition to the staff,” Hood said. “I think we have a lot of things to be excited about.”

County Commission Chairman Skip Gruber said he was pleased with the selections the commission had made for the positions.

“We look forward to working with y’all,” Gruber said.