Olive Branch names Dr. Venard Asongayi as new Director of Planning and Development
OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. — The City of Olive Branch has a new leader for its planning department. Mayor Ken Adams and the Board of Aldermen announced the promotion of Dr. Venard “Asong” Asongayi to Director of Planning and Development during the board’s Oct. 21 meeting.
Mayor Adams expressed confidence in Asongayi’s ability to lead the department, citing his professionalism, expertise, and commitment to the community.
Asongayi moves into the director’s role after serving as the city’s Assistant Director of Planning and Development since October 2020. During his tenure with the city, he has been a two-time recipient of the Mayor’s Award, which honors employees who go above and beyond in their service.
Asongayi brings extensive academic credentials to the position. He earned a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) from West Chester University in Pennsylvania earlier this year. He also holds dual master’s degrees from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Liberal Studies and Public Administration, the latter with a concentration in Planning and Development. Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Buea in Cameroon and a bachelor’s in Philosophy from Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Italy.
His doctoral dissertation focused on “Public Value: The Viability of an Anchor for the Design of Adaptive Zoning Regulations.” He is also the author of two books concerning land use regulations that are currently under review for publication.
Asongayi is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is certified as a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM). He is also actively-pursuing certification as a Certified Public Manager (CPM).
His professional planning experience spans several U.S. cities. Before joining Olive Branch, Asongayi served as Development Coordinator and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Coordinator for the City of Johnson City, Tennessee. He previously worked as Town Planner and Planning Director for the Town of Greeneville, Tennessee. His experience also includes roles with NASA DEVELOP in Wise County, Virginia, and a local government planning internship in Washington County, Tennessee.
