New gigs for 3 at city made permanent

Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz today announced that he’s made permanent new assignments for three city officials who’ve been filling the jobs until now on an interim basis.

Marty Lyons has been named chief financial officer in addition to his duties as assistant city manager and city treasurer.

Joe McRae has been appointed to the new position of deputy city manager.

Erika Storlie has been appointed citizen engagement division manager.

In his new role, Lyons will serve as head of the city’s administrative services department responsible for finance, human resources, information technology and parking services.

Bobkiewicz said Lyons’ “skills and abilities in finance and human resources are key to a successful Evanston.”

McRae, who has been assistant to the city manager, will assume some of Lyons’ previous duties including coordinating day-to-day issues in the city manager’s office and managing the City Council agenda preparation process.

In addition, McRae will work on several citywide projects including at-risk youth initiatives and key economic development projects. He will also serve as staff to the City’s Minority/Women and Evanston Based Business program and Human Relations Commission.

Web Communications Coordinator Erika Storlie will assume McRae’s duties managing the Citizen Engagement Division which includes oversight of the city’s 3-1-1 operations, community outreach, development and fundraising, public information, web and social media services, cable television and the city’s volunteer program.

Lyons came to Evanston in 2008 as finance director and became assistant city manager in 2009.

He had worked in the financial services industry for six years and served as director of finance and information services for the Village of Downers Grove from 1993-2002 and before that as finance director for the Village of LaGrange.

Lyons has a master’s degree in business administration and finance from the Keller School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois.

McRae has been assistant to the city manager since October 2008 and had previously served two years as assistant to the village manager in Wilmette and was an International City/County Management Association local government management fellow in Catawba County, N.C.

McRae has a master’s degree in public administration from Cleveland State University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and public communications from Ashland University.

Storlie has been web communications coordinator for the city since 2009 and has worked in various positions with the city since 2004.

She previously worked for Sony Electronics in San Diego, Calif. She has a bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior from Northwestern University and is pursuing a master’s degree in public policy and administration at NU.

“Marty, Joe and Erika serve as the core of the city’s central administration.  They are each talented professionals in their own right and together form a solid team to serve the residents of Evanston,” Bobkiewicz added.