Mayor's Press Release
Mayor Whitmire Names New Department of Neighborhoods Director
April 24, 2024 -- Houston City Council confirmed Mayor John Whitmire's appointment of Herbert Sims as Director of the Department of Neighborhoods (DON), where he has served as the interim director since February.
Sims has worked for the city for over two decades and excelled in several leadership and management roles before being promoted to DON's assistant director, responsible for preparing and monitoring the department's annual budget and procurement.
The Department of Neighborhoods has five divisions, including inspections and public service, that help neighbors resolve neighborhood concerns and help improve the quality of life in Houston neighborhoods through people-focused programs and strong community partnerships.
"Mr. Sims illustrates the value of our municipal employees. He came up through the ranks and has demonstrated his ability to get things done to help improve the quality of our neighborhoods. He is one of the first persons my office calls to address an issue in one of our neighborhoods. He has a can-do attitude and is the right person at the right time for this job. I am confident he will continue to bring his depth of experience and passion for public service to the Department of Neighborhoods," Mayor Whitmire said.
"I'm excited to use my experience in public service to lead the department by focusing on addressing problems and working with neighbors," said Director Sims. "Houston is full of diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, and it takes all of us working together to create a better future for our city."
Sims graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Arts and from the University of Houston with a Master of Business Administration.
His appointment is effective immediately.