Mayor Lorraine Morton today announced the appointment of Rolanda Russell as Evanston's interim city manager effective May 12.

Russell was named assistant city manager in November 2006 by City Manager Julia Carroll, who is resigning because of health issues.

Russell will serve as interim city manager until a new city manager is chosen by the city council.

Before joining the City of Evanston, Russell worked in Decatur, Ill., as interim city manager, deputy city manager, and assistant city manager.

She also was assistant city manager in Roanoke, Va., where she was responsible for the departments of parks and recreation, human and social services, planning, building and development, economic development, housing and neighborhood services, police, management and budget and the public library system.

As assistant city manager in Evanston she has been responsible for various city departments, including finance, human resources, business performance and technology, the office of sustainability, and parks/forestry and recreation.