Dominic Massa / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS – Nearly three months after firing the city’s Director of Public Works, Mayor Mitch Landrieu on Monday announced the appointment of a former Corps of Engineers official as the new head of the department.
The appointment of Lt. Col. Mark Jernigan is effective Nov. 14, according to a City Hall news release. His appointment came as the Public Works department faced City Council members at budget hearings Monday morning.
Jernigan is a licensed professional engineer and certified project management professional with over 20 years of active duty service as an engineer officer in the U.S. Army, according to the Landrieu administration.
He replaces Robert Mendoza, who was fired by Landrieu in August, after being caught up in the scandal involving hiring off-duty New Orleans Police officers to review traffic tickets. Mendoza was suspended in May along with 8th District NOPD Commander Edwin Hosli. Mendoza is appealing his firing before the Civil Service Commission.
A native of Mobile, Jernigan most recently served as Deputy Commander for the New Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He helped oversee construction and completion of the region’s 100-year level Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System.
As Public Works director, he will oversee the large city department that is charged with enforcing parking rules, repairing streets and potholes, maintaining street lights and traffic signals, among other duties.
Jernigan will report to Cedric Grant, Deputy Mayor of Facilities, Infrastructure, and Community Development.
