New assistant city manager named

Evanston City Manager Julia A. Carroll announces the appointment of Rolanda B. Russell to the position of assistant city manager.

Russell, an Illinois native, is returning to her home state after serving five years as Assistant City Manager for Community Development for the City of Roanoke, Va. Russell will begin her career in the Evanston on November 6.

Russell is one of two Assistant City Managers that report directly to Carroll.

As the newest assistant, Russell will lead and manage a group of city departments, including Finance; Human Resources; General Services; Human Relations; Facilities Management; and Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

She will also assist the City Manager in a variety of areas of responsibility including interaction with the City Council; community and business groups and representatives; citizens; and other entities necessary.

"We are very lucky Rolanda is coming to Evanston," said Carroll. "She brings with her some outstanding experience with policing strategies, youth outreach, and supervision of parks and recreation. I am sure her broad experience will be of great benefit to Evanston residents and employees alike."

In Roanoke; a city with a population of 95,000, a budget of $245,000,000 and a total of 2,000 employees; Russell was directly responsible for Parks and Recreation; Department of Human and Social Services; Planning, Building and Development; Economic Development; Housing and Neighborhood Services; Public Library System; Police Department; and the Department of Management and Budget.

Prior to her stint in Virginia, Russell served in the capacities of deputy city manager, assistant city manager, and neighborhood services manager for the City of Decatur, Ill. She also served as president of the Community Investment Corporation of Decatur.

Russell graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale; pursued a master's degree at the University of Illinois, Champaign, and received certification from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Development Training Institute Leadership Program.