HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Less than two weeks after the agency in charge of managing the potential for flooding in Harris County lost its leader, a name has emerged to fill the role.<\/p>\n
But there are questions about how the candidate was chosen and if the job was even posted.<\/p>\n
To fill a role like the head of the Harris County Flood Control District, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said it typically can take months.<\/p>\n
“You create a job opening, and then we get flooded with resumes, and then we have a team of individuals that comb through the resumes,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
The process was thrown out the window, according to Garcia, who said to his knowledge, the job was never posted. Instead, two weeks after the role first became vacant, a new leader is ready to be put in.<\/p>\n
“I’m just frustrated that we have abandoned a process that has allowed us to make sure we have the most talented individual helping us run the county,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
According to the commissioners’ court agenda, Marcus Stuckett will be considered for the job on Thursday.<\/p>\n
According to Stuckett’s LinkedIn profile and county employment records, he was a supervising engineer for the City of Houston for 2 years before joining the Flood Control District in 2015, where he worked his way up to Director of Engineering. He left the county in 2022 to work for a private engineering company, where he has worked for the past 4 years.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office told ABC13 that Stuckett was considered to lead the flood district five years ago but was passed over.<\/p>\n
“I have nothing against Mr. Stuckett. I just met with him earlier this afternoon, and I think he is a great guy, but I have nothing to compare him to,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
This job is particularly high profile at the moment because millions of taxpayer dollars are on the line.<\/p>\n
A report obtained by ABC13 found that, out of 11 flood mitigation projects, with a price tag of around 320 million dollars, six projects are expected to miss a federal funding deadline next February. If that happens, the millions of dollars tied to those projects would have to be paid back.<\/p>\n
The concern over missing this deadline ultimately led Tina Petersen, the last Flood Control District leader, to resign two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Garcia said now is not the time to rush the hiring process.<\/p>\n
“It’s very frustrating, there is too much at risk,” Garcia said.<\/p>\n
Garcia said Commissioner Rodney Ellis has been advocating for Stuckett these last two weeks. Ellis sent a statement that said:<\/p>\n
“I welcome Marcus Stuckett as the next Executive Director of the Harris County Flood Control District,” said Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “Marcus brings deep technical experience, institutional knowledge, and an understanding of the urgency required to move projects forward. I look forward to working with him to restore accountability, improve transparency, protect available funding, and deliver on the commitments made to Harris County voters and residents.”<\/p>\n
Commissioner Lesley Briones’ office said it was reserving its comments for Thursday’s meeting.<\/p>\n
Eyewitness News also reached out to the County Administrator’s office to see if the job had ever been posted. The office sent back a statement that said:<\/p>\n
“Following the receipt of the official resignation of Dr. Petersen on June 11, 2026, Commissioners Court held discussions regarding the selection of the next Executive Director. The June 25 Commissioners Court agenda includes an item to consider the potential appointment of Marcus Stuckett as Executive Director of the Harris County Flood Control District.”<\/p>\n
ABC13 tried to get a hold of Stuckett but was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n
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