Marcus Stuckett Named Executive Director of Harris County Flood Control District as County Advances Major Flood Projects
As Harris County continues one of the largest flood mitigation efforts in its history, county leaders have selected a familiar face to lead the agency responsible for protecting residents from future flooding.
On Thursday, the Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously ratified the appointment of Marcus Stuckett as the new Executive Director of the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). His appointment comes at a pivotal time as the district works to accelerate dozens of flood control projects, meet critical federal funding deadlines, and maintain momentum on infrastructure investments designed to better protect homes, businesses, and neighborhoods across Harris County.
Stuckett, who becomes the first African American to lead the Harris County Flood Control District, is scheduled to begin serving as executive director on Monday, June 29, 2026, following ratification by Commissioners Court.
A Familiar Leader Returns to the Flood Control District
For many in the engineering and flood mitigation community, Stuckett's appointment represents a return to an organization where he spent nearly seven years in progressively senior leadership positions.
Before joining engineering firm Pape-Dawson Engineers as an Associate Vice President in 2022, Stuckett served as the Harris County Flood Control District's Project Planner, Department Manager, and ultimately Director of Engineering, overseeing major flood control design efforts throughout the county.
His career spans more than two decades in water resources and civil engineering, including previous leadership positions with the City of Houston, AECOM, and Dodson & Associates. His experience includes hydrology and hydraulic engineering, watershed management, project delivery, and oversight of major Harris County flood control projects.
Stuckett earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Mississippi and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.
When announcing his hiring in 2022, Pape-Dawson highlighted his extensive experience overseeing the preliminary engineering, design, and bidding of Harris County Flood Control District projects, along with his leadership managing numerous hydrology and hydraulics initiatives.
Appointment Follows Leadership Transition
Stuckett succeeds Dr. Tina Petersen, who resigned earlier this month after leading the Flood Control District since 2022.
Petersen made history as the first woman to serve as executive director during the agency's nearly 90-year history. Her resignation came as Harris County officials addressed concerns surrounding delays affecting several federally funded flood mitigation projects and the potential loss of approximately $322 million in disaster recovery funding if critical federal deadlines were not met.
"Over the past five years, Dr. Tina Petersen has led the Harris County Flood Control District with distinction," said Briones. "As the first woman to lead the district in its 89-year history, she broke barriers. I am grateful for the deep expertise, professionalism, and spirit of collaboration that have defined her tenure."
Earlier this month, Commissioners Court approved a revised agreement with the Texas General Land Office intended to keep 11 major disaster recovery projects on schedule by restructuring project timelines. The revised framework allows current phases to be completed before remaining work transitions to a later flood mitigation funding deadline in 2028, while also increasing staffing on selected projects to accelerate delivery.
Projects included in the revised schedule include the Isom, Dinner Creek, Genoa Red Bluff, Greens Bayou Mid-Reach, and Kluge stormwater detention and channel improvement projects. County officials have also said the restructuring could free expiring disaster recovery funding for additional subdivision drainage improvements throughout Harris County.
Following Petersen's departure, the Office of County Administration temporarily assumed oversight of the Flood Control District while Commissioners Court considered a permanent executive director.
Looking Ahead Under New Leadership
After Commissioners Court unanimously approved Stuckett's appointment Thursday, Briones said his experience positions him well to lead the district during a critical period for Harris County's flood resilience efforts.
"Today, Harris County Commissioners Court made history by unanimously appointing Marcus Stuckett as our new Flood Control District Executive Director. He will be the first African American to serve in this crucial role. With over 20 years of experience delivering large flood control projects across the region, he is prepared to lead."
She added that the district enters this new chapter with significant work already underway.
"Nothing is more important than keeping our families safe from flooding, and I look forward to working with Stuckett and our dedicated team to do just that. At this moment, we have more flood control projects moving forward than at any time in Harris County history, and we have made unprecedented investments in infrastructure maintenance. We must move with urgency to deliver key projects to protect our homes, strengthen our communities, and keep Harris County residents safe."
Why This Matters for Harris County Residents
While leadership changes often happen behind the scenes, the role of executive director carries significant responsibility for residents throughout Harris County.
The Harris County Flood Control District oversees planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the county's extensive flood risk reduction infrastructure, including bayous, channels, stormwater detention basins, and regional flood mitigation projects. The district also manages projects funded through the voter-approved 2018 Harris County Flood Control Bond Program alongside federal, state, and local partnerships.
As Harris County continues advancing dozens of flood mitigation projects and works to meet critical federal funding deadlines over the next several years, Stuckett will oversee the day-to-day operations of the district while working under the oversight of the Office of County Administration and Commissioners Court.
For homeowners, businesses, and communities throughout Harris County, the appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter focused on maintaining momentum on projects intended to reduce flood risk and strengthen long-term resilience across one of the nation's most flood-prone metropolitan regions.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of Harris County infrastructure projects, flood mitigation efforts, and other developments affecting communities across the region.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
