Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski has nominated two new people for top administrative posts, with a third nominee yet to be picked. The rest of her cabinet is holdovers from the Lamont G. McClure administration.
“Each member embodies service, integrity and collaboration that defines my approach and vision of this administration,” Zrinski said Friday during a news conference at the county government center in Easton announcing more than a dozen positions. Zrinski was elected in November to replace McClure, who served two terms as executive before deciding last year against seeking reelection.
The two nominees are Mark Aurand, as director of administration, and DeeAnn L. Lawrence, as director of corrections.
Aurand has worked decades in various leadership roles, most recently as deputy controller under Zrinski, who was elected controller in 2023. A longtime attorney, Aurand brings has extensive experience guiding nonprofits, small businesses and public agencies in financial, operational and governance matters, according to a county news release.
Besides confirming new Cabinet members, Council will need to appoint a new controller, the fiscal watchdog over the county’s fiscal transactions.
Lawrence, who is a Bethlehem Township commissioner, has more than 25 years of legal and law enforcement experience in rehabilitative services and public safety operations, according to a news release. She served in those roles at New Jersey correctional facilities, she said. Zrinski said officials “coaxed” Lawrence out of retirement to be nominated.
Council President Ken Kraft said in a later telephone interview that the new nominees will appear before its personnel committee for recommendation to the full, nine-member council, a process that falls under the county’s Home Rule Charter.
“We usually defer to the executive’s choice, unless the person is completely unqualified,” said Kraft. He said returning Cabinet members do not need to be reconfirmed.
Mary Lou Zieger is reappointed as director of human resources by Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
New Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski announces her Cabinet members and key appointees Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Susan Wandalowski is reappointed as director of human services by Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Ken Brown is named director of court services by Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. Brown has served eight years in the role. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
New Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski announces her Cabinet members and key appointees Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Michael Emili is reappointed as director of public works by new Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
New Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski announces her Cabinet members and key appointees Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Tina Smith is reappointed as director of community and economic development by Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
New Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski announces her Cabinet members and key appointees Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Mary Lou Zieger is reappointed as director of human resources by Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Zachary Lysek is reappointed as Northampton County coroner by County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
New Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski announces her Cabinet members and key appointees Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
DeAnn L. Lawrence is nominated as director of corrections by new Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. Lawrence’s nomination will need to be confirmed by Northampton County Council. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
New Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski speaks with Zachary Lysek, reappointed Northampton County coroner, after she announces her Cabinet members and key appointees Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Christopher Zieger is reappointed as Northampton County sheriff by County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Mark Aurand is nominated as director of administration by Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. Aurand’s nomination will need to be confirmed by Northampton County Council. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
New Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski (center right) announces her Cabinet members and key appointees Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
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Mary Lou Zieger is reappointed as director of human resources by Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the Rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Zrinski said she has not selected a nominee for a third Cabinet post, fiscal affairs director.
Josh Siegel, who also was sworn in this month as Lehigh County’s new executive, on Wednesday announced his Cabinet picks.
Current Cabinet members who will stay on under Zrinski are:
Director of court services: Ken Brown has served eight years in the court services role. He is a graduate of Easton Area High School and East Stroudsburg University, and served as director of programs for the Easton Boys & Girls Club, and executive director of Shiloh Manor Inc. approximately 25 years. Brown also serves on Easton City Council.
Public defender: Nuria Diluzio, in a role she has held since 2018, oversees 15 attorneys who represent low-income clients. She is a graduate of Temple University’s Beasley School of Law and has been practicing criminal defense for more than 20 years.
Public works director: Michael Emili joined the county in 2018 after being project engineer for the City of Bethlehem and a construction inspector in the private sector. He is a licensed professional engineer and holds a master’s degree in civil engineering.
Coroner: Zachary Lysek has the longest tenure, originally appointed to the position of corner 1992 after having served as deputy coroner for several years. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from DeSales University.
Solicitor: Melissa M. Rudas, who has served since 2018 in the role, has more three decades of legal experience in public service and private practice. She holds degrees from Dickinson School of Law and Duke University.
Community and economic development director: Tina Smith has served in the role since 2018, helping to launch the annual Northampton County Festival and the Digital Navigator Program that helps connect residents with internet access, affordable technology devices and more. Before joining the county, she spent 10 years as president of the Nazareth Bath Area Chamber of Commerce.
Human services director: Susan Wandalowski, who earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, has worked in child welfare and human services for more than 25 years. Human services oversees the county’s Gracedale nursing home, which is in the process of finding a new director.
Human resources director: Mary Lou Zieger, who has been director since September 2021, previously worked for the county as the deputy director of human services and human relations at Gracedale. She holds a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University and has more than 20 years of experience in human resources, benefits and payroll.
Sheriff: Christopher Zieger, who was named sheriff in June, brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, including more than two decades in leadership positions within the department. He has led initiatives including the county 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.
Zrinski also said she is appointing Kelly Prentice as communications manager and Jennifer Siegfried to serve as program specialist working in the prison. Both positions also require council confirmation.