City names new director of water, sewer division
Mike Hackett currently serves as the department’s assistant director.
Rome’s next water and sewer director will already be familiar with the state of the city’s system.
City Manager Sammy Rich’s office announced Thursday that Mike Hackett has been selected as the new division director to succeed long-time director Leigh Ross.
Hackett, a 15-year veteran of the department, serves as the department’s assistant director and has been a part of the massive updates to the city’s wastewater treatment plants and the ongoing replacement of aging water and sewer mains.
Work began this year to install a new 12-inch water main in downtown Rome to move water service away from the 100-yearold 16-inch cast iron water main that runs under the middle of Broad Street.
“Mike is very well suited to take over the reins of our water and sewer division,” Rich said. “Not only is he well qualified with degrees in engineering and business, he is a genuinely good guy with a clear vision for our future while being responsive to customer needs.”
Ross, who retired at the end of July, worked for the city for nearly 35 years, the last 15 of which was as department director.
“Leigh Ross did an excellent job of getting us where we are and now and I am very confident in Mike’s abilities to lead us further into the future,” Rich said.
Hackett was selected by an interview panel consisting of Rome Public Services Director Kirk Milam, Human Resources Director Rita Odom, and Rich.
Rich will present Hackett to the Rome City Commission for confirmation of his appointment at the commission meeting on Sept. 14.