Mayor Hamilton Appoints John Zody to Direct Housing and Neighborhood Development

Mayor John Hamilton today announced the appointment of John Zody to the position of Director of the City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND). Zody will begin April 5 and earn an annual salary of $100,555. Zody recently announced his plans not to run for another term as Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party, which he has led since 2013. Zody succeeds Doris Sims, who retired from the position January 29 after 38 years of service to the City, including directing HAND and the human resources department.

​In his capacity as party chair, and over his career in public service, Zody has worked to promote affordable housing and quality of life initiatives. Zody previously served as Chief of Staff in the Office of U.S. Representative Baron Hill (Indiana Ninth District), Director of Civic Engagement and Executive Director of Resource Development at Ivy Tech Community College and foundation, and managed state community development grant programs at the Indiana Department of Commerce. Zody has an extensive record of volunteer service in the Bloomington community--including a term on the Board of Zoning Appeals and membership in the Bloomington Rotary Club--and is a graduate of Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County. Zody holds Master of Public Affairs and Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs degrees from Indiana University, where he has taught as an adjunct instructor at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs since 2012.

“I am very happy to welcome John Zody to City government,” said Mayor Hamilton. “His deep and strong commitment to our community’s values and his extensive leadership at the local, state and national levels will ably serve to help advance Bloomington’s goals-in-progress for affordable housing and greater quality of life for all.”

As HAND director, Zody will collaborate with other City departments and community stakeholders in the development of affordable housing, administer and distribute federal funds for social service agencies, oversee the City’s residential rental inspection program, and direct neighborhood services, housing counseling, and historic preservation, among other responsibilities.

"I am honored to be joining the team at the City to work toward more equitable housing and to continue building our wonderful neighborhoods,” said Zody. “Bloomington is a great community, and I will do my part every day to make sure we have a quality of life that works for everyone in this place we call home."

HAND Assistant Director Brent Pierce is serving as the department’s interim director until Zody assumes the position, after which Pierce will continue as assistant director.