ANNISTON, Ala. (AP) -- The Anniston Housing Authority is hiring a new executive director to fill a position that's been vacant since June of 2011.

Reports say Willie "Sonny" McMahand will begin heading the agency on Dec. 3.

McMahand is a 56-year-old native of Greenville, S.C. He has experience working in the public housing system there, in Durham, N.C. and in Charlotte, N.C.

McMahand also worked in Durham until he was laid off in December 2011 because of budget cuts.

McMahand worked in the Durham authority when federal officials designated it as a troubled agency in 2008. McMahand says the organization was on the verge of becoming a high-performing agency when he left.