Jefferson County has promoted Heather Carter to Deputy County Manager from Director of Roads and Transportation, and Chris Nicholson to Director of Roads and Transportation filling her vacated position. Nicholson was previously Deputy Director of Roads and Transportation.

Carter has been with Jefferson County for six years as the County Engineer and has more than 25 years of engineering design, construction, and project management experience of complex multi-phase heavy civil and industrial projects. She began her career in the mining industry and has a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from Montana Tech of the University of Montana. Carter has worked in underground hard rock and surface coal mines, before transitioning to the Alaska Dept. of Transportation and later the Oregon Department of Transportation. Following her time with the state she worked as a senior project manager for private design firms working on a variety of Class 1 railroads, state, and municipal clients. As Deputy County Manager – Infrastructure, Carter will continue to work with Roads and Transportation, but also oversee General Services and Environmental Services.   

Nicholson has more than 12 years of experience in roadway, transportation, and construction engineering and has been with the county for 1.5 years. He previously served as City Engineer for Pelham, AL, and has worked in various roles with the State of Alabama and City of Birmingham. He earned his bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama and is a licensed Professional Engineer.