Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy announced Dec. 4 she has selected Linda Gerull as director of the county’s Information Technology Department.

Gerull has served since 1994 as manager of the IT Department’s Geographic Information System division, which uses GIS technology to perform activities related to property assessment, health and emergency services, public works and more.

As IT director, Gerull will oversee an award-winning department of roughly 139 employees and a $24 million budget. The IT Department provides strategic planning, software development, system operations, telecommunications and GIS services to county departments, subscribing agencies and businesses, and the general public. Public services available from the Pierce County home page include permit review, jail rosters, critical areas, neighborhood crime reports, property tax records and recorded document search.

Prior to joining Pierce County in 1994, Gerull spent five years working as an engineer for the Tennessee Valley Authority and eight years as a technical consultant and executive business manager for two private companies in Alabama and Colorado.

The Executive’s selection is subject to confirmation by the County Council. Gerull succeeds Terry Hale, who retired in June.