Thursday September 17, 2009

Mims holds doctorate in urban, public affairs

Bill Schreck, the longtime director of the city’s Department of Codes and Regulations, will retire in October and Mayor Jerry Abramson has named veteran urban affairs professional Jim Mims as his replacement.

Schreck was hired in 1974 as city inspector, rose to assistant director in 1988 and took over the department in 1990.

"Bill Schreck has been a loyal leader, working long hours every day for the city he loves,” Abramson said. “He is widely respected by both neighborhood leaders and developers, which is not an easy accomplishment. His expertise and experience will be difficult to replace.”

However, Abramson said Mims brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to metro government. Mims, director of development for Hagan Properties, holds a doctorate in urban and public affairs.
“He understands government’s role. He understands the private development role – and he can strike the right balance,” Abramson said.

Schreck has been planning to retire since the beginning of the year, having served as codes and regulations director for 20 years. However, Abramson convinced him to stay while he searched for his replacement.

“It has been a great experience and an honor to work for this community for all these years,” Schreck said.

Mims, 55, began his career as a landscape architect for the city of Ocala, Fla. A former director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Planning Commission, Mims was also partner in Birch, Trautwein & Mims, a 55-person engineering and planning firm, from 1981 to 2004, when he joined Hagan Properties.

“I look forward to leading the strong, professional team that Mayor Abramson and Bill Schreck have developed over the years,” Mims said.

The Director of Codes and Regulations is responsible for all aspects of development, and design review; inspections, permits and licenses, including overseeing alcohol permitting and enforcement. The department has a staff of 190, which also serves the Planning Commission.