FORT WORTH — City Manager Charles Boswell has named Deidra Emerson director of the Fort Worth Municipal Courts Department, replacing Elsa Paniagua, who retired in May after a 23-year career with the city. 

Assistant director of the Housing Department since January 2006, Emerson joined the City of Fort Worth in 1995 as a temporary employee and worked her way up through the organization. She served as a contract compliance specialist and a contract manager in the Intergovernmental Affairs and Grants Management Division, responsible for budget development, administration and implementation of federal and state grants such as the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) Program.  

She is a graduate of the city’s Essential Skills and Leadership Development Program, which prepares employees for leadership roles. She has bachelor’s degree in business from Dillard University and a master’s degree in business administration from Texas Wesleyan University. 

She is the daughter of the Rev. Ralph and Gladys Emerson. Pastor of Rising Star Baptist Church, the Rev. Emerson served as director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department from 1987 to 1991. 

Emerson is a member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, the National Community Development Association, the Fort Worth Area Comprehensive HIV Planning Council, the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Homelessness and Leadership Fort Worth. She is a past board member of the City of Fort Worth/Fort Worth Independent School District After-School Task Force, the Circle T Girl Scouts Council and the Fort Worth Junior League.