Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams announced Monday he has hired Eagle Lake’s city administrator as the new assistant city manager for the city.

Sack Thongvanh has a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University School of Management and has worked in the public sector for seven years — six as city administrator. Prior to working in Eagle Lake, he was city administrator in Sherburn.

“I’m really looking forward to the leadership and management skills that Mr. Thongvanh will be bringing to the city of Albert Lea,” Adams said in a news release.

Adams said Thongvanh has strong project management experience and analytical skills.

His starting salary will be $76,169, plus benefits. A starting date has not been determined, but city officials anticipate he will begin near the end of April.

No photo of Thongvanh was made available to the press.

He will be responsible for assisting the city manager in the day-to-day operations of the city, including communications, information technology and special projects.

He will oversee the city’s public information, policy development and implementation, and records management. He will supervise the city clerk and public information coordinator.

The hire comes after the retirement of former Community Development Director Bob Graham in December. Instead of hiring a new community development director, city officials decided to hire an assistant city manager, which is a mid-level management position.

The pay will be within the same pay scale that Graham was paid as community development director.

Forty-three people applied for the position.