Richmond Mayor-elect Danny Avula has named his campaign manager, Lawson Wijesooriya, as his chief of staff and will use the services of The Robert Bobb Group as he starts his national search for a new chief administrative officer to oversee the operations of city government.

Sabrina Joy-Hogg, a City Hall official who currently serves as deputy chief administrative officer for finance and administration, will serve as the interim chief administrative officer when Avula takes office Jan. 1, according to a Friday announcement by Avula.

“I’m so excited to announce that our national search for a chief administrative officer begins today,” Avula said in a news release Friday evening. “Richmonders deserve top-level talent who will lead an effective and accountable City Hall. This is an incredible opportunity that I know will attract truly remarkable candidates, and I can’t wait to add the right person to my team.”

The CAO search will be led by the consulting firm run by Robert Bobb, a local government consultant who served as Richmond’s city manager from 1986 to 1997. The Bobb Group will be assisted by PoliHire, an executive search firm based in D.C.

Current CAO Lincoln Saunders, an appointee of departing Mayor Levar Stoney, recently announced he’ll be leaving the job come Jan. 1 but will continue to assist Avula with the mayoral transition.

The city will publish a job posting for the CAO position in early January, according to Avula’s team, and the search is expected to be completed in “the first half of 2025.”

“Finding the right Chief Administrative Officer is not just about qualifications—it's about aligning vision, values, and leadership with the needs of the city of Richmond,” Bobb said in Avula’s release. “Our goal is to ensure Mayor-elect Avula is supported by a leader who can drive results and build trust across all stakeholders."

Joy-Hogg, an experienced government official who joined City Hall in 2021 after serving as a deputy city manager in Norfolk and Charlotte, will serve as the top administrator while Avula conducts his search for a permanent CAO.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Sabrina Joy-Hogg has the experience, intellect, and determination to hold down the fort during this interim period,” Avula said. “I’ve worked closely with her throughout the transition process, and she has my complete confidence to serve as interim CAO.”

Wijesooriya, a longtime friend of Avula’s who helped run his mayoral campaign this year, will continue working with Avula after being appointed to one of the top roles in the mayor’s office. She has previously been involved in several local nonprofits, including the Blue Sky Fund, which offers youth outdoor experiences, and the faith-based housing nonprofit Urban Hope. She met Avula at the University of Virginia and was part of his group of college friends that moved to Richmond’s East End together in 2004.

“Lawson brings a decade and a half of experience developing and implementing strategies to lift up Richmond’s most vulnerable residents through her nonprofit work,” Avula said. “She shares my values, demonstrated her incredible leadership abilities during my campaign and knows how to get things done. She's the first piece of the excellent, high-capacity team I’m putting together, and I’m proud to serve my neighbors alongside her in City Hall. We’re both ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”