A Lawrence native who has been a major part of economic development efforts in Manhattan will become Lawrence’s next assistant city manager.

Diane Stoddard, the deputy city manager for Manhattan, was tapped Friday to fill the last of two vacant city manager positions at Lawrence City Hall.

“It is very exciting to be coming back home,” Stoddard said.

Stoddard was born and raised in Lawrence – living in the same eastern Lawrence home for 25 years – and received her undergraduate degree and a graduate degree in public administration from Kansas University.

City Manager David Corliss said both Stoddard’s work in economic development and her ties to Lawrence were attractive.

“Economic development is going to be a continued area of emphasis for us, but that won’t be all that she does for us,” Corliss said. “She also knows Lawrence and knows our values.”

While in Manhattan, Stoddard oversaw a city sales tax that generated funding for economic development, and was part of a team that put together incentive packages to help attract employers. That has put her in the middle of efforts to attract several, large bioscience projects, including the $450 million National Agro and Bio-Defense Facility. Manhattan recently was named as one of five national finalists for the lab, and the city of Manhattan has put forward a $5 million incentive package to help land the project.

Stoddard – who will draw a $109,000 salary – will begin work Oct. 24. She has been with Manhattan since 1996. Prior to that she worked as an administrative assistant for the City of Ottawa.

Stoddard’s hire completes the city’s upper level management team. Two assistant city manager positions were open following Corliss’ promotion to city manager last year, and the recent resignation of longtime Assistant City Manager Debbie Van Saun, who took a job with the Kansas University Athletic Department.

Last month, Corliss hired Cindy Boecker, an assistant city administrator in Liberty, Mo., to fill the other position. Boecker is scheduled to start with the city on Sept. 24.