Northampton County Executive Tara M. Zrinski introduced her cabinet at a press conference last week, unveiling a leadership team tasked with guiding the county toward a future that works for all residents.

“I am bringing together a team that will lead Northampton County toward the abundant future we know is possible for everyone,” Zrinski said. “This team includes those who are respected in their fields and will bring compassionate leadership and true community care to the County.”

The cabinet and appointees represent a wide range of expertise in public safety, human services, community and economic development and administration. They were selected not only for their professional accomplishments but for their commitment to partnership, equity and service to the community.

“Coming off last week’s Northampton County Executive Summit, where we gathered input on the needs and service gaps across our cities and municipalities, we are ready to hit the ground running,” Zrinski said. “I’m excited to convene our partners and support solutions that help all residents of the county.”

Zrinski noted that one key cabinet role, director of fiscal affairs, has not yet been filled.

“We have not yet finalized our decision and did not want to rush it for the sake of the press conference,” she said. “We want to be deliberate and cautious to find the right fit for a role that plays such an im portant part in county government.”

CABINET MEMBERS

Director of Administration – Mark Aurand brings more than three decades of legal, nonprofit and public-sector leadership to his role, 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, 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, jujitsu, 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. 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 with over 25 years of legal and law enforcement experience in rehabilitative services and public safety operations. In this role, Lawrence will oversee strategic initiatives focused on facility security, staff development, modernizing inmate programming and fostering community partnerships for successful reentry.

Coroner – Zachary Lysek was originally appointed to the position of Northampton County coroner in 1992, after having served as a deputy coroner under Joseph Reichel for several years. Lysek 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 10 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, Wandalowski 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 2018. She has a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University and more than 20 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 Pa. Deputy Sheriff’s Academy.

Zrinski emphasized that her administration will focus on teamwork and empowerment. By putting the right people in the right roles, the county will ensure that employees have the support and autonomy to make meaningful improvements.

“Our administration will be a place where county employees are valued as experts, residents are treated as partners, and transparency isn’t a slogan, it’s a daily practice,” she said.

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