City government adds two new department heads

The city has added two new department directors to head up Metra and Community Reinvestment.

Rosa Evans a 28-year veteran of Metra, the city’s public transportation department, was named as its new director, to succeed Saundra Hunter, who is retiring.

City Manager Isaiah Hugley, in introducing Evans to Columbus Council for confirmation last week, said it was a bittersweet event for Evans, who had just lost her 33-year-old son in an automobile crash.

“It is with mixed emotions, joy on one hand and sadness on the other, that I recommend Rosa Evans,” Hugley said. “She is well qualified and comes highly recommended by the selection committee. I am confident that she will provide the continuity, stability, progress and improvement that we need at Metra.”

Councilors voted unanimously to confirm her as the new director of transportation at a salary of $88,464.

Evans thanked Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, Hugley and council for having confidence in her.

“I am so grateful,” Evans said. “Thank you so much for affording me with the opportunity to continue my career with Metra and the city of Columbus.”

Hugley also asked councilors to confirm Laura McCool Johnson as the new community reinvestment director, also at a salary of $88,464. She was previously manager of the community reinvestment division, a position created when the director’s position was previously downgraded.

“Mrs. Johnson is being recommended based on her proven record of performance,” Hugley said. “You have seen her performance over the last year or so.”

Again, council was unanimous in confirming Johnson as the new director.

Johnson, who is married to Will Johnson, the city’s planning division manager, offered condolences to Evans and thanked council and administration for their confidence in her.

“I feel extremely blessed and grateful for this opportunity,” Johnson said. “I’m very, very fortunate, but like Rosa said, I couldn’t do this without my family and my co-workers. They are the backbone, and if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am.”

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 3:06 PM with the headline "City government adds two new department heads."