The Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority board will try to fill its open executive director position following interviews set to occur Thursday.

Finalists Diane Anastos and Jeanne Leick will interview for the position after one candidate, Sarah Barnes, withdrew. City of Albert Lea Public Information Coordinator Teresa Kauffmann said Barnes accepted another position.

In addition to interviews with the HRA board from 9 to 11 a.m., the two finalists will participate in a meet-and-greet with the public from 11 to 11:45 a.m. in the Albert Lea City Council Chambers.

According to a press release, Diane Anastos has been a resident initiatives program coordinator for the St. Paul Public Housing Agency for over three years.

She also worked as part-time recruitment and outreach coordinator for Kinship of Greater Minneapolis for five months, and was a health and wellness manager for Pillsbury United Communities-Waite House in Minneapolis for more than a year.

She has a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University, a bachelor’s degree in political science from American University and a mini-MBA for nonprofits from the University of St. Thomas.

Jeanne Leick is executive director for the Hall County Housing Authority in Grand Island, Nebraska, according to a press release.

Cumulatively, she has worked for the housing authority for over nine years, most recently as the executive director for more than a year but previously as the deputy director.

Leick also worked as an executive director for the Gothenburg Housing Authority in Gothenburg, Nebraska, for seven years. Previously, she spent four years working for the city as a public works/utility billing clerk.

She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and an Associate of Arts in business from McCook Community College.