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Three new staff members will join the City of Suffolk in the next several weeks.

Nicolas “Nic” Langford will become director of economic development, while LaTanya Turner was selected to become assistant director of parks and recreation. Danielle Williams was tapped to become assistant director of social services, according to a Sept. 7 news release.

City Manager Albert S. Moor II made the announcement of Langford’s appointment as economic development director.

Langford hails from Clarksville, Indiana where he currently serves as the redevelopment director. He has been with Clarksville since 2018 serving in a number of positions focused on economic development and redevelopment projects.  His work’s focus includes tackling retail, mixed-use, reconstruction, real estate development and public infrastructure projects, according to the release.

Langford has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in public administration with a focus on economic development and sustainability from the University of Louisville. He will begin work Oct. 22.

“Nic is a pragmatic and thoughtful economic developer,”

Moor said in the release. ”His familiarity working with complex public-private projects will be a benefit to a dynamic and diverse community such as Suffolk.”

Mark Furlo, director of parks and recreation, made the announcement that Turner has been selected as parks and recreation assistant director.

Turner has been Isle of Wight County recreation manager for last 14 years. During that time, she served as interim director for nine months.

Prior to that she was a recreation supervisor for Suffolk Parks and Recreation and an assistant program coordinator for Newport News Parks and Recreation. She is also active in the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society and a past president of the organization.

Turner earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing from Elizabeth City State University and her master’s degree in public administration from Strayer University. Turner assumed her new role Sept. 7.

“LaTanya brings a wealth of knowledge to the City of Suffolk with her extensive experience in the sports and recreation industry,”

Furlo said. “We’re excited to have her back in Suffolk with us.”

Director of Social Services Harry Cromer  announced Williams’ selection as the assistant director of social services.

Williams brings more than 25 years of experience working in human services. She has been with the City of Suffolk Department of Social Services since 2000 after previously working for the City of Portsmouth Department of Social Services.

She has worked in various capacities at Suffolk Social Services — most recently serving as the self sufficiency supervisor for the last eight years.

“Ms. Williams is absolutely the right choice,” Cromer said. “Her passion and commitment to the residents of Suffolk is very much evident and we’re excited to have her on the team in the assistant director capacity.”