Paul Andrus has been appointed director of the Los Alamos County Community Development Department.

He has served in an interim capacity in that position since Oct. 9 when Anne Laurent moved with her family to Utah. As with all director level appointments, County Council must approve the selection and is expected to render its decision at the Jan. 26 council meeting.

“Paul was selected by a panel of internal peers as well as my management staff based upon his expressed interest in improving the department,” County Manager Harry Burgess said. “I feel he brings a mix of skills, experience and personality to a position that no doubt will be demanding but also is an area that we fully intend to improve upon.”

Andrus discussed his new position during an interview with the Los Alamos Daily Post.

“I am grateful to have been chosen for this opportunity,” he said. “I’m excited to serve the County in this capacity. With our new permitting system coming online last month, I’m looking forward to taking the department into a new phase of service provisions – enhancing our customer service and the other services we provide the community.”

Andrus moved to Los Alamos from Aurora, Colo., in 2012 to accept a position as Housing and Special Projects manager at the County. He has more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, economic development, affordable housing development, homeless assistance strategies and neighborhood revitalization.

Andrus holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in Economic Development from the University of Colorado, Denver. He resides in Los Alamos with his wife Becky, their children Max, 15, and Lucy, 11, and their two schnauzers Bruno, 6, and Winona, 4.