With the exception of Administration, Corrections and Fiscal Affairs, NorCo Executive Tara Zrinski's cabinet will consist of holdovers from Lamont McClure's office. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, some might say. Others might argue her selections cast the county into the fiery furnaces of hell. Take your pick.
Zrinski made her announcement from the courthouse rotunda on Friday, where the acoustics and lighting are terrible. Amid the cacophony, she emphasizes a commitment to collaboration, integrity, transparency, and accountability, stressing that the assembled leadership team is prepared to meet the challenges of county government and govern with the people, not over them. She pledged that her administration will work closely with employees, community partners, and residents to strengthen the county, expand opportunity, and ensure every voice matters.
Although this might seem minor, her decision to open up public comments on the county's Facebook page reflects an earnest desire to be inclusive. Here's how a county news release describes the appointments:
Director of Administration - Mark Aurand brings more than three decades of legal, nonprofit, and public-sector leadership to his role as Director of Administration, most recently serving as Deputy Controller for Northampton County, where he supervised staff, managed audits, and ensured compliance with state reporting requirements. A seasoned attorney and former founder of a community-driven law practice, Aurand has extensive experience guiding nonprofits, small businesses, and public entities through complex financial, operational, and governance matters.
Director of Court Services – Ken Brown, a dedicated public servant with a strong background in community development and leadership, having earned his degree from East Stroudsburg University and served as Director of Programs for the Easton Boys & Girls Club, Executive Director of Shiloh Manor Inc. for over 25 years, and Northampton County’s Director of Court Services for the past eight years. A martial arts enthusiast and seasoned basketball official, he holds black belts in judo, jiu-jitsu, and karate, and has taught self-defense for many years.
Public Defender – Nuria Diluzio has been the Chief of the Public Defender’s Office since 2018. She oversees 15 attorneys who represent indigent clients from the area. Ms. Diluzio is a graduate of the Temple University Beasley School of Law and has been practicing criminal defense in Northampton County for over 20 years.
Director of Public Works – Michael Emili joined Northampton County as the Director of Public Works in 2018 after serving as a Project Engineer for the City of Bethlehem and a construction inspector within the private sector. He is a licensed professional engineer and holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering.
Director of Corrections – DeAnn L. Lawrence joins Northampton County as our Director of Corrections with over 25 years of legal and law enforcement experience in rehabilitative services and public safety operations. In this role, DeAnn will oversee strategic initiatives focused on facility security, staff development, modernizing inmate programming, and fostering community partnerships for successful re-entry.
Coroner – Zachary Lysek was originally appointed to the position of Northampton County Coroner in 1992, after having served as a Deputy Coroner under Mr. Joseph Reichel for several years. Zachary has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees from DeSales University. He is a lifelong resident of Northampton County and has been honored to serve its residents with integrity and dedication for over 34 years.
Solicitor – Melissa M. Rudas is a cum laude graduate of the Dickinson School of Law and Duke University alumna who has served as Northampton County Solicitor since 2018, bringing more than three decades of legal experience in public service and private practice. Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar, Middle Eastern District of Pennsylvania Federal Court, and the United States Supreme Court, she has been recognized as one of Lehigh Valley’s 20 Exceptional Women and named a Top Lawyer of 2025 by the Morning Call.
Director of Community and Economic Development – Tina Smith has served as Director of Community and Economic Development since 2018, cultivating strong partnerships across the region and helping to launch the Northampton County Festival and the award-winning Digital Navigator Coalition. Before joining the County, she spent ten years as President of the Nazareth Bath Area Chamber of Commerce and remains deeply involved in the Lehigh Valley community.
Director of Human Services – Susan Wandalowski graduated with her master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has worked in child welfare and human services for over 25 years. As the Director of Human Services, Sue and her team have utilized data-driven approaches to identify and build new systems to better serve our county residents.
Director of Human Resources – Mary Lou Zieger has been the Director of Human Resources since September 2021. She began her career with the County as the Deputy Director of Human Services/HR at Gracedale in January of 2018. She has a Bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University and more than twenty years of experience in human resources, benefits, and payroll.
Sheriff – Christopher Zieger brings more than 33 years of law enforcement experience to his role, having served as Sheriff since June 2025, following nearly a year as Acting Sheriff and more than two decades in leadership positions within the department. Over the course of his career, he has led critical initiatives including the Crisis Negotiating Team, planned high-profile trials, helped achieve agency accreditation, and completed advanced training through the U.S. Marshal’s Service, FBI, and the Pennsylvania Deputy Sheriff’s Academy.
The way I read the Home Rule Charter, the only appointments that need a nihil obstat from County Council is the appointment of DeeAnn Lawrence in Corrections and Mark Aurand in Administration.
She will need County Council approval for two newly created positions. The first is Director of Communications. This position historically has been an assistant administrator and has in recent months focused more on promoting the Executive instead of the county itself. I believe that County Council should have a role in communications, and it should not be used as a muzzle to keep department heads from speaking to council members or the press. The second position is a Program Specialist, who will lead trauma-informed, equity-centered reentry and employment readiness programs to reduce recidivism and build pathways to stability and success.
She has yet to fill the Director of Fiscal Affairs position held by Steve Barron, known as the NorCo Money Man. Steve must be very hard to replace.
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