Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said Monday morning that replacing Jo Ann Macrina as commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management places the city in a stronger position as his administration embarks on several big projects during Reed's last 19 months in office.
Reed would not talk about specific reasons Macrina was removed from the job on Friday, but said interim commissioner William Johnson will bring a “steady hand” to the job and will be assisted by Faye DiMassimo, who was hired earlier this year as general manager of the city’s $250 million renew Atlanta bond program. DiMassimo was former the transportation director in Cobb County.
Macrina was ousted on the same day that Miguel Southwell was removed as general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
“Today really is not about the circumstances regarding their terminations, or their exits,” Reed said during a Monday morning press conference. “This conversation is about the future. The people of Atlanta deserve a explanation about who will run two of the city’s most important operating units, and why I’ve chosen those individuals to do so.”
Johnson, hired this month as Deputy Chief Operating Officer, previously directed the Department of Transportation in Baltimore, where he managed engineering and permitting. Johnson also managed city-wide snow and weather emergency operations.
“Through his career, William Johnson has demonstrated steady lealdership and sound judgement,” Reed said, adding that Johnson has successfully reduced the number of citizen complaints in various positions he has held.
Reed said DiMassimo's responsibilities will be expanded to include capital projects being undertaken by Watershed, including the $300 million Bellwood Quarry project to provide the city with 1.2 billion gallons of raw drinking water reserves.
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