The city of Wilmington has named a new planning director.

Linda Painter has been named the city's director of planning and development following a nationwide search, according to a news release Friday. She previously worked as the director of planning and development for the town of Mansfield, Connecticut.

For Wilmington, Painter will lead a staff of 24, overseeing urban planning, historic preservation, zoning administration and enforcement, current planning, and development review functions, as well as serve on the city’s executive management team.

“I’m looking forward to helping the community meet the challenges of accommodating a growing population while maintaining the character and livability that made them want to call Wilmington home," said Painter, who takes the helm of the Wilmington planning department on July 5. "The city has a talented team of planners who have a great deal to be proud of, and I am eager to have the opportunity to work with them. 

She also stated in the release, “While there are several major projects on the horizon that will have a tremendous positive impact on the city, I’m also motivated to get started on the smaller, neighborhood-scale projects that will make the city more connected and convenient and improve the day-to-day lives of residents.”

Painter is assuming the role after Glenn Harbeck, the city’s director of planning, development and transportation, retired on Sept. 30 last year.

Painter brings more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors to the role, according to the release. She began her career as a planner for Orlando, Florida, in 1995 after receiving a master's degree in community and regional planning from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994.

She has also served as deputy director of planning and policy for the city of Providence, Rhode Island, chief planner/zoning official for Orlando and an urban planner at Edaw Inc.

Deputy City Manager Thom Moton helped lead the search process and said he believes Painter is an ideal fit for Wilmington, according to the release.

Moton said in the release, “Linda’s broad experience in both larger and historic cities will provide a valuable leadership complement to our Planning and Development team, and we are excited to have her join the city."