Savannah Standard

The City of Savannah has made interim appointments to two leadership roles following the departure of Assistant City Manager Heath Lloyd and Chief of Information and Public Affairs Bret Bell, who recently accepted city manager positions with Pooler and Tybee Island, respectively.

Melissa Carter, the Office of Management and Budget Director, will serve as the Acting Chief Operating Officer leading Management Services. This department oversees the Office of Financial Services, Human Resources, Management and Budget, Performance and Accountability, Risk Management, Real Estate Services, and Capital Projects.

Joseph Shearouse, Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director, will serve as the Acting Chief of Information and Public Affairs. His responsibilities will include overseeing Municipal Archives, the Office of Public Communications, Innovation and Technology, and Recorder’s Court.

The interim appointments are effective immediately. A national search will be conducted to fill these roles permanently.

“I am incredibly proud to lead Team Savannah and our outstanding members who devote so much time and effort to being great public servants,” City Manager Joseph A. Melder said. “We will sincerely miss Heath Lloyd and Bret Bell, who served Savannah with integrity, passion, and excellence for so many years. Team Savannah has All Stars waiting in the wings throughout our organization. Melissa and Joe will help fill critical positions in our organization and keep our government moving forward as we plan for the future.”

Carter has worked for the City of Savannah for 18 years and has over 20 years of experience in governmental policies and financial planning. Prior to serving the City of Savannah, Carter worked in the federal government within the Department of Defense, Veteran’s Health Administration, and Morale Welfare Recreation’s Financial Management Division in Europe.

Shearouse has served the City of Savannah for 12 years. As Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Shearouse has led major policy initiatives around issues such as transportation, housing, homelessness innovation on municipal finance at federal local state levels.