Cobb Hires Public Safety Director

After being officially vacant for nearly two years, the position of Cobb Director of Public Safety will be filled.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the hiring of Jack Forsythe of Currituck, N.C., a former law enforcement executive with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Association/Homeland Security.

Forsythe succeeds Bob Ash, who retired two years ago, with Cobb Fire Chief Sam Heaton serving in an interim capacity.

The Marietta Daily Journal reported Tuesday that Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee said the position remained vacant during Cobb Citizens Oversight Committee deliberations.

The panel recommended that the position, which oversees operations for police, fire, emergency services and animal control, continue to be funded.

Also on Tuesday, the commission approved the hiring of Jackie McMorris as the new Cobb Director of Public Services. She had been the chief of staff of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.

The position involves direction of the operations of the county public libraries, parks and recreation, senior services and extension services and serves as a liaison between the commission and the Cobb Board of Elections and Voter Registration. 

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