When Andrew Ellard, former director of Hattiesburg’s Urban Development Department, left that position in December to move to Tennessee, Mayor Toby Barker knew he would have some pretty big shoes to fill.
A few months later, the mayor found the man for the job in Wiley Quinn, who has been serving as the department’s interim director since January. Barker appointed Quinn, who also serves as the city’s code enforcement division manager, during a September 1 news conference at Hattiesburg City Hall.
In the director role, Quinn will lead the five divisions of the department, which are permitting, building inspections, code enforcement, community development and planning.
“Since (Quinn) stepped into the interim role, this department has continued to make progress, as they have done the day-to-day work (on those measures),” Barker said. “Wiley has led this department smoothly, being proactive with setting goals, thorough in his budget proposals, and troubleshooting the regular challenges that come in this department’s operation, with professionalism and courtesy.
“This made the task of choosing a permanent director very easy. Wiley Quinn has vast experience in both public and private sector work. He is thorough in his approach, he follows through, he knows the law and the correct processes by which to operate, and he communicates well – both with his employees, the administration, the city council and the public.”
Quinn was hired as the division manager of code enforcement in 2019, a role he also held from 2009 until 2015. From 2015 to 2018, he served in that same position for the City of Meridian.
Before Barker was elected as mayor in 2017, Quinn managed the code enforcement division from 2009 to 2015, and came back to Hattiesburg after leaving Meridian.
In addition to his career with the City of Hattiesburg, Quinn also spent five years with the United States Marine Corps, 20 years at Georgia Pacific and seven years as a Walthall County supervisor.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity … to serve the city in this capacity,” Quinn said. “When I was asked to fill in as the interim director, it really did not take me more than a minute to decide that I was going to take on that role, because this is a great administration to work with (and) it’s a great administration to work for.
“In this capacity as code division manager, I’ve never felt like my hands were tied, or that I was hobbled in my efforts to do the job. I was encouraged to do the job with integrity and at the same time efficiently, and also to get the job done and resolve the issue, and that’s what I look forward to doing in the capacity of director of Urban Development.”
Quinn said the department and other officials are more than capable of handling any challenges the city may face.
“Anything that’s before us that needs to be improved or built upon, that’s our goal,” he said. “Ultimately, (I want) to serve the community of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and see it truly maintain that identity as The Hub – and even more so, to improve upon that identity to become an even better place to live, work and do business in.”
Quinn’s appointment will be on the Hattiesburg City Council agenda for review and approval on September 6.
