Lawrence Rashad Anderson, a former urban research fellow at American University in Washington, is the Richmond City Council’s new chief of staff.

Mr. Anderson, 39, took over Monday from interim chief of staff Meghan Brown, it has been announced.

He replaces Lou Brown Ali, who had held the post for seven years until she resigned in December 2018.

His starting yearly salary is $142,500, according to council spokesman Steven Skinner. Including other benefits such as a $5,000 contribution in deferred payments for retirement, the approved compensation package for Mr. Anderson totals $175,930 annually, Mr. Skinner stated in an email to the Free Press.

As chief of staff, Mr. Anderson will oversee the staff that assists City Council in establishing the budget, creating local laws and developing government policy.

According to the announcement, Mr. Anderson most recently was engaged with AU’s School of Public Affairs and its Metropolitan Policy Center where he conducted research on factors leading to urban political unrest.

Mr. Anderson’s résumé also includes previous work with initiatives in New Orleans, Baltimore and Richmond.

The chief of staff is one of the city officials who report directly to City Council. Others include the city attorney, city auditor, city clerk, city property assessor and the inspector general.