The Opp Housing Authority named a new executive director this week, officials said Friday.

Charles Willis, board member and acting director, said Ozark’s Beverly D. Bell-Barber accepted the position and is set to take the reins at the beginning of January.

Willis said Bell-Barber brings 21 years of housing authority experience to her new position in Opp.

“She worked for 10 years in Ozark and 11 in Dothan,” Willis said.

Bell-Barber has a degree in finance and business administration from Troy University.

Willis said she’s come to Opp several times and met the current staff.

The housing authority announced in October it was seeking a new director after former executive director Janie Weeks resigned after being placed on paid administrative leave, after several tenants threatened to file suit for alleged wrongdoing.

Bell-Barber will work alongside a five-member board that includes Willis, Glenda Presley, Danny Hall, and newly appointed members Nathan Stoudemire and Elizabeth Womack.

“We’re looking forward to her being here,” he said.