Habersham County Public Works Director Derick Canupp is leaving the job he’s held for the past 8 years to take a job in neighboring White County, WRWH News reports. Canupp will succeed White County Public Works Director David Cangemi who also recently resigned from his job.
On Wednesday, Habersham County announced Canupp was leaving his job as senior public works director. On Friday, the news broke he was moving to White County.
“I have decided to move on for numerous reasons,” Canupp told Now Habersham after his resignation was announced. “I have accomplished everything, and more, that I set out to do in Habersham. I have a larger vision for my professional development and growth. It is time to start a new chapter both personally and professionally.”
This is the second department head change for White County in the last week, and the fourth high-profile resignation in Habersham County this year.
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Habersham County Commissioners Bruce Harkness and Bruce Palmer shared their experience with Canupp, as well as how his leadership has affected the county following the announcement of his resignation.
“Mr. Canupp has done an outstanding job for our county and our taxpayers,” said Commissioner Harkness. “He will be missed and his shoes will be hard to be filled. We will miss him [and] we wish him the best.”
Palmer echoed similar thoughts.
“Derick has been a tremendous asset to Habersham County,” Commissioner Bruce Palmer said. “I’m sure he will continue to be during the remainder of his employment with Habersham County. During his tenure, he has made numerous improvements to the road department, solid waste and airport. He has led those departments [through] storms as well as improvements.”
Canupp’s resignation will be effective Nov. 11, and the county is starting the process of finding someone to fill his position. Palmer says that the county will also work with Canupp and the public works department to make sure the transition to the next public works director will go smoothly with the current projects underway in Habersham.
“Until then, my staff will carry on the day-to-day operations,” Canupp says regarding the search for his replacement. “We have a very capable and experienced staff.”
White County officials are currently working through applications from individuals who will replace long-time White County Parks and Recreation Director Joe Gailey, who resigned back in August. County officials named Deena Cowart and Corey Collins as co-interim directors for the Rec Department as the county works on finding a replacement for Gailey.
This article has been updated with new information.
