City of Durham Appoints Aaron Miley as New Human Resources Director

The City of Durham has officially announced Aaron Miley as the next Human Resources Director, bringing over a decade and a half of experience to the table. According to details released by City of Durham's official website, Miley's broad HR expertise spans various sectors including public, academic, and corporate settings, with his most recent role being the Associate Director of Human Resources at LSU Health in New Orleans.

Tasked with overseeing HR operations for nearly 4,000 employees at LSU Health, Miley was instrumental in enhancing critical HR processes from hiring and onboarding to performance management. He notably spearheaded improvements to employee policies such as parental and crisis leave programs. Durham's City Manager Bo Ferguson lauded Miley's appointment, stating, "Aaron brings the experience, leadership, and forward-thinking approach we need to strengthen our teams and serve our residents even better," as mentioned on the Durham's official website.

Before his tenure at LSU Health, Miley contributed his skills as Vice President of Human Resources & Administration and then as Director of Human Resources at Allied Systems in Baton Rouge. There, he was responsible for several key areas including HR, IT, and payroll, and established initiatives aimed at retaining top talent while boosting safety, risk management, and employee development efforts.

Miley's HR background is further comprised of his stint as the Director of Human Resources for Premium Parking/JMH Companies in New Orleans. Here he managed HR for a 900-strong, multi-state workforce, navigating the complexities of acquisitions and restructurings. His career trajectory also includes roles at organizations such as Kingsley House, AOL, and Associated Grocers. Commenting on his new position, Miley expressed his enthusiasm for Durham, stating, "I chose Durham because this city values innovation and creating a workplace where employees can succeed," as noted by the city's website.

With a Bachelor of Science in Management from Louisiana State University and nearly completed Master of Business Administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Miley is well-equipped academically. He also holds SHRM-CP and SPHR certifications, and stays engaged in the professional HR scene through association memberships. As the City’s Human Resources Director commencing January 26, 2026, Miley will oversee a department responsible for a wide array of HR functions, from personnel policy development and employee training to ensuring the security and accuracy of personnel records.