Former Metro Codes Department Director Bill Herbert is returning to the role after a stint in the private sector, Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced Friday.

Herbert, formerly Metro zoning administrator, ran the Metro Codes Department from 2018 to 2022, when he joined law firm Thompson Burton as a partner working on land use matters. Byron Hall has served as interim director of the department and has been promoted to deputy director, O'Connell said. Herbert will return to Metro in February.

O'Connell also announced the hiring of former Metro Councilmember Dave Rosenberg as director of data and innovation. Rosenberg, an early supporter of O'Connell's run for mayor, served two terms representing Bellevue on the council, ending earlier this year. He also runs data-focused political consulting firm Harpeth Strategies.

Patrick Hamilton will be O'Connell's deputy chief of staff, a role he held for then-Mayor David Briley. He has also held positions with the Tennessee Democratic Party, Nashville CARES, the Megan Barry administration and the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

Also announced were the hirings of Tanisha Hall as director of transportation and mobility, Jordan Wilkins as special projects assistant and Maddie Rambowski as digital coordinator.

Hall was previously CEO of transportation planning consulting firm Fairpointe Planning and director of long range planning for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Gerald Smith will lead the Department of General Services, a role he previously held in Kansas City. More recently, he has been city manager of several smaller cities. Velvet Hunter has been interim director of the department.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.