By Nita McCann
The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Water Works board didn’t have to look far to find the department’s next director.

He was already in the building.

In its Tuesday evening meeting, the board selected Tony Moon as Water Works director, current Director David Gardner confirmed Wednesday.

Gardner recently announced he is retiring from that post.

The job opening had been posted internally, and Moon’s was the only application the board received.

Years of past experience with engineering projects was one thing that made Moon the clear choice, Gardner said.

A surveyor by trade, Moon worked several years for the Mississippi Department of Transportation before being hired by the City of Natchez in 1993.

“I’ve worked with him for years, and I know what he can do,” Gardner said. “He’s a real leader and has a way of motivating people.”

For his part, Moon said applying for the post was the next logical step in his career.

“In anybody’s working life, they want to take the next step up the ladder, and for me this is it,” Moon said.

Moon said he will not be responsible for the city’s Engineering Department, just the water works. But according to Gardner, he will have a hand in at least two current projects — the Bridge of Sighs and the St. Catherine Trails project.

And his parts in many city infrastructure projects are among his favorite memories.

“I’m most proud of the one that sits next to us,” Moon said, referring to Natchez Transit building that opened about one year ago. “That’s the project I’ve had the biggest hand in.

“We were going to scratch the whole project because we already had a big workload, but it worked out well.”

As far as the transition goes, the next step is for Moon to more closely shadow Gardner, learning more about the administrative side of the job before Gardner leaves in mid-June.