After spending seven years as assistant community development director, Justin Randall can hit the ground running now that he has been promoted to the head of the department.

As the new director of community development, he will coordinate planning and zoning, building and inspections and code enforcement for O’Fallon. He replaced Ted Shekell, who retired on Nov. 20 after serving the city for 23 years.

Mayor Herb Roach said Randall will be a “tremendous leader” of the department.

“Many in the community already know Justin to be a very capable planner and an important member of the O’Fallon team,” he said.

Randall is certified through the American Institute of Certified Planners. A native of north-central Indiana, he moved to Missouri in 2005 to begin an internship. He worked as a planner in Jefferson County before being hired by O’Fallon in 2013.

“He’s a good man and will do an excellent job,” Shekell said before his last day.

Randall, 36, earned a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and development from Ball State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Indiana State University.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the citizens of O’Fallon and city staff as the Director of Community Development. It is an exciting time to be in O’Fallon, with our continued growth, reinvestment in the Downtown District and so many great things going on, I look forward to working with the community,” Randall said.

He praised Shekell for allowing him to take on more responsibility as he got closer to retirement.

“He’s been awesome,” he said.