Metro Government 'fixer' Ozzy Gibson named permanent director of LMAS

A little more than a month since being appointed as interim director of the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), longtime city employee Ozzy Gibson has been named as the permanent director of Louisville Metro Animal Services — a role he previously held.

The move comes just a week after the most recent director of Louisville Metro Animal Services, Ashley Book, stepped down — just nine months after assuming the role.

Gibson was director of LMAS from 2016 to 2019 before becoming interim chief of public safety. He is known among the Metro Government as a "fixer" and has led several departments during transitions.

This includes his current role as interim director for TARC and interim executive director of the Louisville Metro Parks Department. The executive director of parks is tasked with implementing the "Parks for All" plan, which aims to fix inequities in the city's parks and reorganize the parks department.

Gibson was planning to start implementing suggestions from the Parks for All study in December, The Courier Journal previously reported. He will continue serving the parks department, which has gone a full year without a permanent director, said spokesperson Kevin Trager.

And despite Gibson's new appointment as director of Louisville Metro Animal Services, he will stay with TARC until a permanent director is found, according to a statement from the Mayor's Office. He assumed that role Jan. 1, following Carrie Butler's resignation.

The city is conducting a national search for a permanent TARC director, the administration said in December. Until one is named, Adam Hamilton will serve as interim director of animal services.

“I am excited for Adam and Ozzy to continue building on the great work happening at Louisville Metro Animal Services over the past few years,” Mayor Craig Greenberg said. “These two leaders have a combined 50 years of experience working in city government, and most importantly, they care deeply about the LMAS team and the wellbeing of the animals at our shelter.”

The administration has not announced a timeline for when the transition from Hamilton to Gibson will occur. Gibson will continue to lead TARC and the parks department until executive directors are hired.

This story may be updated.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter. Reporter Stephanie Kuzydym contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Ozzy Gibson named director of Louisville Metro Animal Services