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Conroe City Council appointed two longtime city employees to leadership roles Aug. 13, naming Brandy Taylor as community development director and Jason Miller as public works director.
What you need to know
City Administrator David Willard recommended both appointments, telling council Taylor is a longtime employee whose work he has come to appreciate.
“She's just a great employee, and I'm excited to bring her forward to be this director and really start bringing back our team,” Willard said.
Council approved Taylor's appointment without opposition.
Taylor has spent much of her career in Conroe's Engineering Department and was named the city's 2024 Employee of the Year. The city previously credited her with helping streamline processes and improve workflow across multiple departments.
The Community Development Department oversees areas including planning and annexation, code enforcement, downtown planning, special events and the city's Community Development Block Grant program.
The discussion
Miller's appointment drew more discussion and ultimately passed 3-2.
Willard said Miller has worked for Conroe for 31 years and called him “one of the best water and sewer people” he has worked with during his career.
“I have full confidence in Jason,” Willard said. “He's a person of integrity and truth.”
Council members Shana Arthur and David Hairel raised concerns about moving forward without conducting a broader search. Arthur said the position now requires executive leadership, technical knowledge, major project management and long-range infrastructure planning.
“I believe we should first define the qualifications Conroe needs for this critical position and conduct a search for the strongest candidate,” Arthur said.
Other council members backed Miller's experience. Mayor Pro Tem John Sellars said Miller has consistently provided council with “honest and accurate information,” while Council member Kristin Hoisington praised his “servant leadership” and integrity.
Hoisington also asked staff to consider renaming the Community Development Department, saying she wanted the name to reflect a “fresh start” under Taylor and a department that is “more about working with the community and not against the community.”
After the vote, Miller thanked council for the opportunity.
“I hope I do get to earn everyone's trust,” Miller said. “I will give those words my best ability, I assure you.”
How we got here
The positions became vacant earlier this year following the departures of their previous directors.
Former Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director Norman McGuire retired in March. His retirement came as the council ended several executive employment contracts and approved nearly $1.85 million in related payouts, according to prior Community Impact reporting.
Former Deputy City Administrator and Community Development Director Nancy Mikeska retired effective May 13, along with former City Administrator Gary Scott. Their departures created additional vacancies in the city's senior leadership as council began moving in what Mayor Duke Coon called a “new start.”
