MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — City Manager Craig Tindall announced Wednesday (Oct. 14) the appointment of Russell Gossett as the new director of Solid Waste for the City of Murfreesboro.  Gossett’s hiring was announced during Wednesday’s Council Workshop meeting at Police Headquarters.

“Russell recognizes the servant leadership role of public service and embraces a strong core value of customer service,” said Tindall. “He is looking forward to establishing long-term roots in Murfreesboro with a family in the area.”

Gossett joins the City of Murfreesboro leadership team after serving in the private sector for waste processors, including Republic Services, in Birmingham, Alabama for the past six years.  As Hauling Operations Supervisor for Republic since 2017, Gossett managed daily operations for residential, commercial and industrial services. His responsibilities also included training and coaching drivers as well as overseeing management of fleet mechanics.

Gossett is familiar with municipal solid waste operations, having worked closely with cities which contracted with Republic for curbside services and with the area landfill.  He has also worked in a supervisory role for FedEx Freight, scheduling driver pickups and deliveries.

Gossett will serve under the Public Works Division, initially reorganized in 2018 as part of the process to reorganize the City’s administrative structure and enhance customer service. The current division includes Streets, Solid Waste and Fleet under the direction of Executive Director of Public Works, Raymond Hillis. Longtime Solid Waste Director Joey Smith remains with the department as assistant director working with Gossett to manage Solid Waste operations in the growing City.

Under the current City structure, two dozen City departments report to seven division executive directors, including the police and fire chiefs. The structure places authority over operating decisions closer to operations to improve communications and enhance cost efficiency with the goal of achieving excellent customer service. 

In other City personnel news, Cathy Smith has been assigned to serve as interim Purchasing Director following the retirement of Paul Boyer.