Christopher Lawrence has been named Vinton’s new town manager. Lawrence is currently an assistant to Blacksburg Town Manager Marc Verniel, and served for a time as Blacksburg’s interim planning director. He has 10 years experience working in local government, according to a Vinton-issued news release.

Lawrence was unanimously chosen for the position by the Vinton Town Council after reviewing 40 applications. Lawrence will be paid an annual salary of $85,000. His first day on the job will be Sept. 29.

In Blacksburg, Lawrence assisted in strategic planning efforts, downtown revitalization projects, parks and recreation master planning, and major commercial and residential projects.

In Vinton, he will replace assistant town manager Consuella Caudill, who had been acting as interim town manager since March, when Town Manager Kevin Boggess left Vinton to become Salem’s City Manager.