City of Wilmington names Suzanne Russell as Director of Compliance
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington has appointed Suzanne Russell as its new Director of Compliance, where she will oversee permitting, code enforcement, and serve as the City’s Zoning Administrator, officials announced.
The hire follows a recent organizational restructuring within the City of Wilmington that established Compliance as a standalone department, separating it from Planning and Development. City leaders said the change is intended to improve regulatory consistency, strengthen permitting and enforcement functions, and enhance coordination across development-related services.
In her new role, Russell will lead permitting and compliance operations, oversee code enforcement activities, and provide strategic direction for departmental performance. She will also collaborate with internal departments, partner agencies, and the public to ensure adherence to city codes and ordinances.
Russell brings more than nine years of experience in both municipal government and private-sector planning. She most recently worked with WithersRavenel as a Planner and Assistant Project Manager, where she managed development review processes, coordinated multidisciplinary teams, and provided ordinance interpretation and regulatory guidance.
Her previous municipal experience includes planning roles with the Town of Morrisville and the Town of Southern Pines, where she handled development applications, conducted technical plan reviews, prepared staff reports, and presented recommendations to elected boards.
“Suzanne has demonstrated the leadership, technical expertise, and professionalism needed to lead a department with this level of responsibility,” said City Manager Becky Hawke. “The Compliance Department brings together several critical functions that support safe neighborhoods, orderly development, and consistent regulatory processes across the city.”
Russell is a Certified Zoning Officer and is currently completing a Master of Science in Planning and Development with a concentration in Urban and Community Planning at East Carolina University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from NC State University and an associate’s degree in horticulture from Sandhills Community College.
City officials said her appointment reflects Wilmington’s continued focus on improving development oversight and strengthening customer service as the city grows.
