-
Matthew Dickison
- Director
- 678.518.6130
- Matthew.Dickison@GwinnettCounty.com
Gwinnett County
Government
Government
Organization
About Matthew Dickison
Matthew Dickison was appointed Director of the Department of Planning and Development in May 2023. He first joined the Planning and Development Department in 2021 as Deputy Director and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2022. In his new role, Matt will provide leadership and strategic direction to all divisions within the department.
Prior to joining Gwinnett County, Matt served as Planning and Development Director for the city of Chamblee, Georgia, and an associate planner at Clark Patterson Lee and Associates. He has also served in leadership positions in the cities of Dunwoody, Johns Creek, and Suwanee. He began his planning career working for the city of Louisville, Kentucky. Matt is a professionally certified planner with a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Louisville. He also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois.
-
Chris Hayward
- Assistant Director
- 678.518.6030
- Chris.Hayward@GwinnettCounty.com
About Chris Hayward
Chris Hayward began serving as the Assistant Director of the Department of Planning and Development in 2023. Previously, Chris served as the Deputy Director, where he oversaw the Housing and Community Development, Code Enforcement, Building, and Administration Divisions.
Prior to working with Gwinnett, Chris served in various capacities in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer for DeKalb County, assisting with project management, economic development, strategic planning, and policy development. He has a juris doctor and bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia with a major in economics and a minor in English. He is also an active member of the International City and County Management Association.
-
Cyndi Sloan
- Deputy Director
- 678.518.6011
- Cyndi.Sloan@GwinnettCounty.com
About Cyndi Sloan
Cyndi Sloan assumed the role of Deputy Director for the Department of Planning and Development in 2023. Her responsibilities encompass the leadership of the current Planning and Development Divisions of the department.
Cyndi brings a wealth of government experience including holding various positions in the Planning and Development Divisions in Gwinnett County. She also worked with the engineering firm Travis Pruitt and Associates, Incorporated for 15 years, where her responsibilities included design, planning, due diligence, and code research. Cyndi earned a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia and is a registered landscape architect and certified arborist.
-
Matt Elder
- Deputy Director
- 678.518.6238
- Matthew.Elder@GwinnettCounty.com
About Matt Elder
Matt Elder joined the Planning and Development Department in 2022 and was appointed Deputy Director in 2025. He is responsible for leading economic development and affordable housing projects, as well as overseeing efforts to increase small business support and develop workforce initiatives.
Matt has worked on housing and community development issues in Gwinnett County for nearly a decade in various roles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in public administration from Georgia College & State University.
-
Tai Yi Su
- Deputy Director
- 678.518.6249
- TaiYi.Su@GwinnettCounty.com
About Tai Yi Su
Tai Yi Su joined Planning and Development as Deputy Director in 2024, leading the Land Use and Infrastructure Planning Division. Tai Yi has worked with the County since 2021, where she previously served as the Infrastructure Support Division Director for Gwinnett Water Resources. Prior to joining Gwinnett County, she worked in water supply planning, water and wastewater system master planning, permitting, and process design with Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Jacobs, and AECOM.
Tai Yi earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from National Taiwan University and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Duke University. She is a professional engineer in Georgia, a long-time member of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, and founder of the mentorship program for GAWP’s Women Making Waves Committee.
-
Nicholas Derajtys
- Administration Division Director
- 678.518.6160
- Nicholas.Derajtys@GwinnettCounty.com
About Nicholas Derajtys
Nicholas Derajtys became the Administration Division Director for the Planning and Development Department in 2023. He oversees the department’s budget, technology enhancements, and human resources functions.
Nicholas joined Gwinnett County in 2016, previously serving as the budget manager within the Department of Financial Services, where he helped plan the County’s annual budget process. He earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and international affairs and a master’s in public administration from the University of Georgia.
-
Marcus Canada
- Building Division Director
- 678.518.6043
- Marcus.Canada@GwinnettCounty.com
About Marcus Canada
Marcus Canada became a Division Director for the Planning and Development Department in 2023, overseeing building plan review, fire plan review, and building inspections.
Marcus has worked with Gwinnett County since 2001. Throughout his career, he has served as a Plans Examiner, Plan Review Manager, and Deputy Division Director. Prior to joining the County in 2001, Marcus was a practicing architect for 20 years in the private sector which included serving as the appointed architect for the Jefferson County, Kentucky Historic Landmarks and Preservation Board. He has also served on the Gwinnett Sustainability Team.
Marcus earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Kentucky and is a Licensed Architect. He is a member of the Metro Atlanta Inspector’s Association and Building Officials Association of Georgia.
-
Shantell Wilson
- Business Services Division Director
- 678.518.6212
- Shantell.Wilson@GwinnettCounty.com
About Shantell Wilson
Shantell Wilson was appointed Business Services Division Director in 2025. In this role, she oversees business outreach and engagement, workforce development initiatives, and the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center. With over 20 years of experience in economic development at the state, local, and regional levels, Shantell has been instrumental in driving economic growth, spearheading initiatives that have resulted in the creation of thousands of high-quality jobs and the attraction of multimillion-dollar investments throughout Georgia communities.
Shantell holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economic Development from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Business Administration from Walden University. She remains actively engaged with a variety of professional and civic organizations throughout Gwinnett and the state of Georgia.
-
Patrick Quick
- Customer Experience Division Director
- 770.822.3973
- Patrick.Quick@GwinnettCounty.com
About Patrick Quick
Patrick Quick joined Planning and Development as the Customer Experience Division Director in 2024, where he oversees the overall customer process and experience, licensing and revenue, and permitting. Prior to joining Gwinnett County, he served as Director of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Aspen, Colorado and Division Manager of the Office of the Fire Chief for the City of Austin, Texas. He began his career in public service for the State of Oklahoma alongside the Governor’s Office in the Performance and Efficiency Division to implement the State’s strategic plan.
Patrick earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma. He holds a process improvement certification in Lean Six Sigma and a leadership certification in local government from the College of Charleston.
-
Jessica Watson
- Code Enforcement Division Director
- 770.513.5108
- Jessica.Watson@GwinnettCounty.com
About Jessica Watson
Jessica Watson became the Code Enforcement Division Director for the Planning and Development Department in 2022, providing leadership and support to assigned staff, managing special projects, and upholding the Gwinnett Standard of Excellence within the division.
Jessica has worked in local government since 2008 and served in multiple positions for the Cities of Norcross and Lawrenceville as a planner, senior code enforcement officer, and code enforcement supervisor. She earned an associate degree in business administration from Liberty University and is certified through the Georgia Association of Code Enforcement.
-
Rinda Grooms
- Development Division Director
- 678.518.4965
- Rinda.Grooms@GwinnettCounty.com
About Rinda Grooms
Rinda Grooms was appointed Development Division Director in 2023. In this role, she oversees development plan review, stormwater plan review, water and sewer plan review, and development inspections.
During her career with Gwinnett County, Rinda has served as a Plans Examiner, Plan Review Manager, and Deputy Division Director. She also worked in the private sector for 13 years where her responsibilities included site design, utility design, stormwater management design, and permitting for various commercial and residential sites throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and Florida. Rinda earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from West Virginia University and is a registered professional engineer.
-
Alena Green
- Economic Development Division Director
- 678.518.6219
- Alena.Green@GwinnettCounty.com
About Alena Green
Alena Green joined Planning and Development as the Economic Development Division Director in February 2026, overseeing strategic efforts to drive sustainable redevelopment, attract businesses, and create job opportunities. Prior to joining Gwinnett, she led external engagement with Atlanta’s real estate community and public sector partners as Chief of Staff for Central Atlanta Progress, an organization focused on improving the vibrancy of Downtown Atlanta.
Earning her bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University, Alena has over 14 years of experience in place management and economic development, with a passion for building stronger and more resilient places.
-
Erik Osetkowski
- Housing & Community Development Division Director
- 678.518.6251
- Erik.Osetkowski@GwinnettCounty.com
About Erik Osetkowski
Erik Osetkowski became the Housing and Community Development Division Director for the Planning and Development Department in 2025, overseeing administration of the County’s grant programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and efforts to attract and retain affordable housing.
Erik joined Gwinnett County in 2015, previously holding roles within the Board of Commissioners’ Office, Financial Services Department, and County Administrator’s Office prior to joining the Planning and Development Department in 2020. He earned a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from Georgia Southern University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia.
-
Yang Chen
- Planning Division Director
- 678.518.6246
- Yang.Chen@GwinnettCounty.com
About Yang Chen
Yang Chen became the Planning Division Director in 2023, overseeing zoning administration and long-range planning.
Prior to joining Gwinnett, Yang served as the Deputy Director of Community Development for the City of Johns Creek and held planning roles with county governments in Virginia and Maryland. Yang earned a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Tongji University and a master’s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.